The Dominican University Alumni Association’s First Foundation Lecture was held at university’s Tom and Carolyn Walker Hall, Ibadan on Saturday 9th December 2023, tagged ‘Understanding the Future’, Alumni of the institution join from all over the world for the history making event.
In his welcome address the alumni president, Vincent Obasi expressed his gratitude to God and Mr. Oseni for making the day a reality as the alumni association of the university has started big. He further stated that the association would continue to be part of the DUI education system with special support towards making the university one of the leading citadels of learning in the world.
The acting registrar Rev Fr Samuel Onyiba OP in his welcome address on behalf of the Proprietor, the Dominican University, Rev. Fr Modestus Ngwu OP, welcomed all to the first foundation lecture of the Alumni association. He appraised the alumni for putting together an insightful program and impactful topic at the the First Foundation Lecture . He further charged the body of the alumni to continue with the program and to be worthy ambassador of Dominican University where ever they find themselves.
While delivering his lecture, Mr Rufai Oseni, the guest speaker said that the key to understanding the future which is in fact transient is building up capacity. In his words, the media practitioner of the Arise TV said, “the way the world is changing, going to university is just the first step in building capacity most of the things we learn in life are not in the four walls of the school. He further speaks on the major things to watch out for when preparing for the future such as being innovative, documenting, changing mindset positively on how well and better things can be done and never to be afraid of failure because failure does not mean you have not learnt anything at all.
Oseni recalls his life’s story when answering some after lecture questions from Dr. Olusoji Olatunde (department of mass communication, the Polytechnic, Ibadan). He asserts that “on your way to the top, you may not have everything you needed because if you do, the school is not worth it. As an undergraduate, I kept my dream alive with “a small one thousand Five Hundred naira transistor radio to keep abreast on every conversation in the world”, I would also lock myself inside to read ahead and stop following ladies. He ends his lecture with a beautiful quote from Henry Paul “we are pioneers”.
Dignitaries present at the event include the Professor Abdulwaheed Soliu (honorable commissioner for Education Oyo state), executive members of the university, the Alumni body and the undergraduate students from the university.
The lecture was organized to bring together the first and second sets of the students who graduated from the university and which according to the Alumni president Vincent Obasi, would be an annual event.
Mr. Oseni Rufai was also presented award of recognition for outstanding and courageous contributions to the practice and advancement of journalism in Nigeria and beyond after which there were several clicks and snaps to preserve the beauty of memory of the event.
