By Edward Oseghe
Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), has urged alumni of its Abdulsalami Abubakar College of Engineering to take a more active role in shaping the next generation of engineers through mentorship, industry collaboration and strategic investment in infrastructure.
The call formed the centrepiece of the maiden “Blue-Skye Alumni Legacy” Homecoming of the College, held on Wednesday in Okada, Edo State, where university authorities challenged graduates to help bridge the gap between academic research and real-world industrial application.
Vice-Chancellor of IUO, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, in his welcome address, described the alumni as critical partners in sustaining the institution’s relevance, noting that their collective expertise remains the strongest link between the university and industry.
He charged them to mentor students through internships and professional guidance, collaborate with the university to translate research into practical solutions, and invest in maintaining world-class facilities that will keep the College at the forefront of technical education in Africa.
“As we institutionalise this homecoming, I challenge you to mentor, collaborate and invest. Reach back and lift a student through internships and guidance; work with us to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application; and support the maintenance of cutting-edge facilities needed to sustain excellence,” Ezemonye said.
He emphasised that the true worth of a university lies not in its physical structures but in the impact of its graduates, urging alumni to see themselves as part of a dynamic network capable of driving innovation and supporting emerging talents.
“You are living proof that the seeds of ingenuity planted in our lecture halls have grown into global solutions. Let this gathering mark the beginning of an annual tradition driven not just by nostalgia, but by purposeful action,” he added.
Reflecting on the College’s founding vision, the Vice-Chancellor noted that it was established by the institution’s Founder and Chancellor, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, to produce engineers who create industries rather than merely seek employment. He added that naming the College after former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), underscored its mission to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Earlier, the Dean of the College, Prof. Rowland Azike, disclosed that the College currently runs eight undergraduate programmes across six departments, including Chemical, Petroleum, Civil, Electrical/Electronics, Computer, Environmental, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. He added that the College has produced over 1,700 graduates since its inception in the 2002/2003 academic session.
In a virtual presentation titled “Engineering without Borders: Alumni Advancing Global Solutions,” guest speaker, Dr. Michael Marshall Harry, noted that many of the limitations engineers face are internal and can be overcome through deliberate mindset shifts.
Also speaking, alumna Engr. Dr. Mary Taiwo Ajide, in her address “Alumni in Action: Strengthening the Engineering Community,” stressed the need for sustained engagement, early networking and collaborative participation in building a vibrant engineering ecosystem.
“Strong professional communities are not accidental; they are built intentionally, and every stakeholder has a role to play,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address titled “From Foundation to Frontiers: Celebrating Engineering Legacy and Innovations,” Engr. Dr. Danagogo Wenike-Briggs urged alumni and young engineers to work collectively to build a legacy that future generations will study and expand upon.
The event marked a renewed push by IUO to deepen alumni engagement as a strategic tool for advancing engineering education and innovation in Nigeria.
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