The University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo City, Ondo State on Friday, April 1, 2022, inaugurated the board of the UNIMED Advancement Foundation (UAF) with Chief Olabintan Famutimi as the chairman of the board.

The Foundation provides a strategic platform for increasing the University’s access to multiple sources of revenue, corporate and private linkages, beneficial partnerships and charitable giving through engagement with corporate bodies, government, private institutions, agencies, alumni, parents and friends.

The Vice-Chancellor, UNIMED, Ondo, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi while addressing members who were present at the Council Chamber of the University and those who joined virtually on Zoom, described the development as a dream come true and appreciated members of the Governing Council led by Hon. (Dr) Temitayo Fawehinmi.

‘Let me on behalf of our university welcome our distinguished members of the Advancement Board. For us, it is a dream come true. The whole agenda of establishing had been on the table of our last council for almost one year. And while the council members are not here because the Council term ended a few weeks back, I want to start by acknowledging the great work they have done in helping us not just to shape the vision but also to bring on board the caliber of men and women who have history of accomplishments.

The Vice-Chancellor highlighted previous achievements of the University as well as the goals and aspirations of the University.

He said: ‘Our goal is to be a one-stop institution for all medical and health sciences programmes. For example, there is no Institution in this country that offers a full-fledged program in prosthetics and orthotics except the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo. The recent train bombing in Kaduna underscores the importance of this programmme as a lot of people must have lost limbs or arms and need artificial replacement. They will probably have to travel abroad to get such services, but our goal is to provide help to such casualties in our society at a minimal cost. Our Prosthetics and Orthotics students who will be graduating in the next couple of years will help to bridge this critical gap ’.

Earlier, the Director, Advancement Unit, UNIMED, Ondo, Dr. Lawal Oyeneyin, mni appreciated the members of the board for accepting to take up the huge task of joining to provide strategic support for the University through philanthropic leadership, endowment administration and infrastructural development.

The Registrar, UNIMED, Ondo, Dr Woleola J. Ekundayo conducted the inaugural ceremony by reading the citation of members and welcoming them to the Board.

The board members are Chief Olabintan Famutimi (Chairman); Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe; Chief Stephen Olawale Akinretoye; Prof. Abimbola Akintade; Ms. Cecilia Akintomide; Chief Christopher Akinwolemiwa and Otunba Samuel Boluwaji Akinyemi.

Other members of the Board are Dr Yemi Mahmud, former member, UNIMED’s Governing Council; Prof Friday Okonofua, former Vice-Chancellor, UNIMED, Ondo; Dr. Olufemi Oyinsan and Mr. Abimbola Oladapo.

Internal members of the Board are Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, VC, UNIMED, Ondo; Prof. Adolphus Loto, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, UNIMED, Ondo; Dr. Woleola J. Ekundayo, Registrar, UNIMED, Ondo and Dr. Lawal Oyeneyin, Director, Advancement Unit, UNIMED, Ondo.

Responding, the Chairman, UNIMED Advancement Foundation (UAF), Chief Olabintan Famutimi on behalf of all members of the Board, appreciated the University Management for the opportunity given to him to serve. He solicited the unalloyed support of other Board members for the rapid growth of the University.