Egba Group Drums Diaspora Support For Smooth Take-Off Of Federal University of Medicine, Medical Sciences Abeokuta

ABEOKUTA – The Vice President, Egba Economic Summit, Dr. Gbenga Adeoye has assured the management of Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences Abeokuta of the summit support to mobilize the support of Egba sons and daughters in diaspora for the smooth take-off of the University.

Adeoye dislcosed this at the weekend when the leadership of the Egba Economic Summit paid a courtesy visit to the institution in Abeokuta.

Adeoye who was a member of the planning committee of the University explained the role Egbaland played at ensuring that the University became a reality, which includes his presentation at the Senate Public Hearing in Abuja among other steps taken with stakeholders with the backing of Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland; Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo.

He said efforts are ongoing to mobilize diaspora support through Egba Associations in US, Canada, and United Kingdom both in donation and through Private Partnership arrangement.

He assured the University that a member of the summit Engr. Sobande will use his international connections and experience at Nigeria Economic Summit Group where he was a representative of the Oil sector from Shell before birthing the idea of Egba Economic Summit to guide and help the University.

While introducing Prince Abiodun Karounwi, Dr. Adeoye stated that although Karounwi is a builder whose skill can help the university, Karunwi also retired from Total Energies.

Dr. Adeoye advised the university to do everything closer to the Federal Medical Centre for security reasons since the state government is willing to release the model school at Idi Aba even if it will cost higher to fix the same.

He thanked Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Kehinde Babatunde for the space provided for the smooth take-off of the university while sending appreciation to Prof. Femi Balogun, who did everything possible to make the university a reality along with Prof Musa Olomu; the former CMD of FMC.

While thanking the university for receiving the delegation; Dr. Gbenga Adeoye also thanked Senator Lanre Tejuoso, who sponsored the bill for the establishment of the University and Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who ensure it was passed to law using his personal resources ans connections

He thanked former President Buhari for signing the bill into law and thanked Presidsnt Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing the principal officers and council members.

He also thanked the Governor of Ogun State for donating the Model School at Onijanganjangan as a take-off site but pleaded that the Model School at Idi Aba after FMC should be added.

Speaking at the event, the President of EES; Mr. Chris Coker promised that Egbaland would give the needed support to help the university to take off smoothly.

Also speaking, Chief Shina Luwoye advised that the first Model School offered on lease by the state government should be reconsidered as it is closer to FMC.

Luwoye posited that the Model School is inside the city and on the same route with the permanent site of the university, which is around Ajibayo and Jaguna Village along OGTV, Ajebo road.

Prince Abiodun Karounwi, in his speech, stated that the role of Sen. Ibikunle Amosun at ensuring that the 170 hectares land for the university has a C of O title documents.

Reacting to the comforting assurance of EES, the chairman of the Governing Council of FUMMSA; Dr. Usman Shanawa said he has learnt a lot about Egbaland and he would replicate same in his home state Zamfara to come and learn what Egba Economic Summit is doing, stating that Egbaland is worthy of emulation by other parts of the country.

He immediately mandated the VC to collaborate with Egba Economic Summit Group and Abeokuta Club, among other stakeholders that are willing to support the university.

He also promised that the host community, which is Egbaland and Ogun state, will not be neglected in appointment and other considerations.

The university Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fatiu Abiola Arogundade, thanked the delegation of the Egba Economic Summit and presented a brief on the plans and the need of the University.

He also stated that the plan to admit students in September 2025 has been made possible by FUNAAB through the space and Wole Soyinka library donated while FMC is standing as a teaching hospital for practicals.

In his vote of thanks to the delegation, the Registrar of FUMMSA; Dr. Gregory Olukayode Obayomi promised that the university would continue to collaborate with Egba Economic Summit Group and Egbaland as the host community.

Other principal officers that received Egba Economic Summit were the Bursar; Mrs. Adedokun Omolola Olufunso and the Liberian, Dr. Idiat Odunola Agboola.

Other Governing Council Members that received Egba Economic Summit along with the Chairman and Vice Chancellor were
Kabiru Yahaya, Chinenye Moses, Uyiosasere Ekhosuehi and Joshua Adewale.