(SINL NIGERIA) The Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA) has called on Nigerians to embrace positive thinking, patriotism, discipline and collective responsibility as critical ingredients for national development and sustainable progress.
The call formed part of the communiqué issued at the end of the Association’s 2026 Annual National Reunion held at Obafemi Awolowo University between Friday, May 8 and Sunday, May 10, 2026.
The conference, themed “The Potential within Nigeria: Positive Mindset and Communication for Success,” commenced with a special Jumat service at the OAU Central Mosque of Unity and featured a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, alongside other principal officers of the university.
According to the communiqué signed by the National President of UNIFEMGA, Alhaji Mohamed Buari, and the National Secretary, Alhaji Sefiu Ikudaisi, the university management acknowledged the association’s contributions to the development of the institution.
A networking dinner sponsored by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of UNIFEMGA, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, also formed part of the reunion activities, focusing on value-driven enterprise and investment opportunities.
The reunion lecture was delivered by the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, while the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Matrix Energy Group, Abdulkabir Adisa Aliu, chaired the event.
Also in attendance were the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Religious Affairs, Alhaji Bello Adeniyi, and the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Rt. Hon. Adejare Bello.
As part of its welfare initiatives, the association presented 140 scholarships worth ₦14.6 million to students of the institution.
UNIFEMGA disclosed that since the inception of the scholarship programme in the 2009/2010 academic session, a total of ₦103.4 million has been disbursed to 1,148 students.
The association also launched a ₦200 million endowment fund targeted at supporting widows and orphans of members.
Other activities during the reunion included medical outreach programmes, keep-fit exercises, a novelty football match and the Association’s Annual General Meeting where the national executives were dissolved and reappointed for another two-year tenure.
In its observations, the association noted that Nigeria possesses abundant human and material resources capable of transforming the country into a global force if citizens adopt positive attitudes and collective responsibility.
UNIFEMGA also expressed concern over persistent negative narratives, disunity, brain drain, obsolete equipment in tertiary institutions, disruptions in academic calendars and outdated curricula, urging government to urgently address the challenges.
The association further stressed the need for stronger collaboration between universities and the private sector to sustain research and innovation.
On the economy, the group urged government to create an enabling environment for businesses through improved electricity supply, infrastructural development and investment in human capital.
UNIFEMGA also called for urgent measures to tackle unemployment, warning that unemployed youths are often exploited by selfish individuals to perpetrate violence and insecurity.
The association concluded by emphasizing that a positive mindset remains the foundation for building a prosperous and united Nigeria.
