Pomp, Pageantry On OAU Campus As Catholic Students Reunite With Their Alumni

The atmosphere at the premises of Our Lady of Perpetual Light Chapel, located at the religious ground of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU)  Ile-Ife, Osun state on Friday, September 1, 2017 was that of excitement and thrill as the alumni of the institution under the umbrella of the Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS) arrived one after the other for their 2nd reunion and mentoring conference.

The presence of the old students on the soil of the university community afforded the Catholic undergraduates moments of meeting former NFCSers and founding members of the association.

The Catholic students who had waited in joyful mood at the chapel to receive their guests could not hide their admirations on sighting the alumni alighting from their varying vehicles.

The events, which were attended by alumni as far back in the 80s, kicked off the next day, Saturday, September 2, with a morning Mass. Thereafter, the alumni attended a brief meeting with the parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Light who doubles as the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, Very Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Ajayi, and the about 31 NFCS Executives.

After this meeting, the mentoring conference commenced at the OAU Conference Center and it was attended by over 50 alumni and over hundred of Catholic students. A loud applause pervaded the auditorium when the former chaplain of the chapel, Re. Fr. Ago Abe, was recognised. Also in attendance at the mentoring conference is Fr. Ajayi.

Welcoming the old students, the current president of NFCS, Mr. John Awoleye, said the undergraduates were lucky to share moments with the alumni saying it was not a mistake that the reunion is tagged: “The Peculiar People.”

In his remarks, the alumni president, Mr. omolade Ogunkelu, welcomed his members saying “the choice of the theme ” A Peculiar People” (1 Peter 2:9) speaks volumes; the synonyms of the word “peculiar” are add, weird, strange, unusual, uncharacteristic; it could also be used as distinguished, unique, special.

He said, “However, in a country like ours, we need persons of these character and cardinal Christian virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance that will create the needed change (not like the one we have been promised politically) and move our country Nigeria and the world away from its craziness.”

The lead speaker, Mr Dele Faseemo, a banker and former president of NFCS in 2001, dwelt on the topic: “Money Answereth All Things: Your Journey to Financial Freedom” (Ecl. 10: 1-20) and noted that money is important for one to live comfortably.

Faseemo, therefore urged the participants to build a career and ensure they attain financial freedom. According to him, they should be entrepreneurial and do jot depend on whatever they earn from white collar jobs.

Also, a former NFCS president in 2008, Mr Emeka Iloani delivered a talk on internet marketing and enlightened both undergraduates and alumni on how to market their products and services online.

Earlier in his remarks, Fr. Abe appreciated the alumni for the mentoring conference and reunion and said, “let your faith channel the way. Relax, feel at home and always come again.

In the evening of the day, there was a banquet at the chapel premeises where alumni had the opportunity to share their stories with the final year students of the NFCS. They encouraged the final year students to be steadfast and identify with the alumni body.

During the get together attended by both Fr. Ajayi and the chaplain, Rev. Fr. Francis Idowu, the final year brethren were inducted into the Alumni Association, as they were told that their induction would take effect after rounding off their programme.

The events came to a beautiful end with a Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday, September 3.