By Joshua olomu

Dr Gad Peter, Global President of the University of Jos Alumni Association (UJAA), has said the body will provide infrastructural support for the institution in commemoration of its 50th anniversary.

He stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the sideline of a health awareness walk organised by the Abuja chapter of the association on Saturday in Abuja.

The event, held at the Unity Fountain, was part of a series of events by the Unijos graduates to celebrate the legacies of their alma mater in the last five decades.

According to the president, the association will leverage members’ network, collective strength and resources to renovate the university hostels and provide other support to ensure a better learning environment for students.

He explained that the association has lined-up events across its various chapters in Nigeria from Sept. 13 to 22, including concerts, alumni lectures and a roundtable to discuss the challenges of insecurity in the North-Central.

“Our simple idea under my leadership, with the support of several of our members, is for us to go back to our hostels, departments, faculties, and give back to the system.

“We cannot afford to allow the system to die, and we cannot afford to allow generations yet to come to accuse us of not adding value to that institution.

“Some of our members have contributed laptops, desktops, and we want to equip the registry department to ensure within one week, you get your transcript when you demand for one.

“Beyond renovating the hostels, we are talking about infrastructure for learning, such as projectors, light and other things needed to ensure a conducive environment,” he said.

Arch. Osikoya Olusola , Chairman, Abuja chapter of UJAA, said 50 years in the trajectory of the university was a milestone they needed to celebrate with a series of events to honour its legacy and showcase its achievements.

According to him, the health awareness walk is an opportunity to bring together alumni within the FCT and educate them on health-related issues, and as well provide basic screening for them.

“We are also using this 50-year milestone to create awareness and to make sure that health-wise,’Josites’ are fit and should take their health seriously.

“Besides, it is time to give back to the University of Jos, and we are calling on everyone that has passed through that school to donate whatever they can give.

“If you can give us blocks, cements or money, we will get everything together, and we will go back to the school to see what we can do for our great university,” he said.

Some of the alumni who spoke with NAN expressed delight for the health walk, noting that the event was an opportunity to unite and reconnect with their old-school mates.

Mrs Naomi Sharang said “Celebrating a university at 50 is actually a remarkable feat for us and when you look at the people gathered here today, you know that UniJos has produced great people.

“The activities that have been lined up for today, the road work, the health talks, and the routine checks, are actually commendable because many people don’t do these vital checks on their health”, she said.

Also, Mr David Allgreen, PRO Abuja chapter of the alumni association, said the golden jubilee was an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of alumni across various sectors.

“The University of Jos alumni don’t find it difficult in any space they find themselves in; they just thrive, and that is one of the biggest contributions the university has made to Nigeria.

“It is just unfortunate that we have insecurity challenges in Plateau; a state that used to be the home of peace and tourism, but I think the narrative is changing for good now.

Also speaking, Mr Joseph Edeh, said that 50 years in the life of any man or woman is worth celebrating, adding that the events lined up are commendable.

He urged alumni who are yet to be part of this Abuja chapter to do so in order to contribute their own quota.

NAN reports that the University of Jos is one of the seven universities established by the Federal Government in 1975 , including the University of Calabar, University of Ilorin, University of Maiduguri, Usmanu Danfodiyo University (Sokoto), University of Port Harcourt, and Bayero University, Kano”, he said.

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA