GREAT IFE ALUMNI REUNION – 2004

The 3rd biennial Great Ife Alumni Reunion took place in Houston TX, USA on Friday September 04 and Saturday September 05, 2004.

The occasion was well attended by many alumni of Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly University of Ife), Nigeria, who live in the diasporas. There were also family, friends and relatives of alumni in attendance at the Reunion events. It was a unique opportunity and occasion for networking among alumni present and also remembering the good old, glorious days at Ife Campus.

The Reunion Events started on Friday with the Suya night event. There were loads of ‘Obalende’ suya, delicious Nigerian foods and kegs of ‘tombo’ to enjoy for the evening. At the Suya night, there were reminiscences, nostalgias and many widely used campus languages came up with tons of jokes and laughter.

The Reunion Banquet and Award event came up on Saturday evening.

It was a rare privilege and honor to have a former Head of State of Nigeria- Chief E.A Shonekan, as the Chairman for the Reunion Banquet event. Another guest of honor, who also flew in from Nigeria for the Reunion events was Chief Akin Delano, a retired High Court Judge in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Many businesses were represented at the Reunion banquet, notable among them was Ilora L’Original Beauty Products that generously handed out samples of their Body Soap & Cream, ex-gratis, to all attendees at the Reunion banquet.

Some local chapters of Nigerian associations and newspaper publishers represented at the Reunion Banquet event include Eko Club International, Egbe Omo Obirin Yoruba, and Houston Punch Newspapers.

The Nigeria Consulate General and his deputy- Malam Shehu and Mrs Oru respectively, were present throughout the Reunion activities as guests and to officially honor Chief Shonekan as a former Nigerian President.

The Mayor of Houston City graciously made a Proclamation on Great Ife Alumni Association, which was presented on his behalf by City Councilman Mr. Gordon Quan, while the newly elected US Congressman for Houston, Mr. Al Green was also one of the dignitaries at the Reunion Banquet event.

The Dallas chapter of the Great Ife Alumni Association was inaugurated at the Reunion banquet event.

The climax of the Reunion Banquet event was the presentation of the prestigious Great Ife Alumni award for Excellence and Distinction to the recipient – Dr Oluyemi O. Badero who is one of the best Interventional Cardiologists in the world today. Dr Badero who has been widely recognized for his accomplishments in the medical field and selfless professional service to his community, declared that the Great Ife Alumni Award is the most cherished award he has received so far. Chief E.A Shonekan who presented the award to the recipient, told the alumni and guests present at the event that- ‘The best award and recognition a person can receive is the one from his/her peers’.