The Alumni Association of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo State, has honoured the university's founder and former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, with a distinguished lecture series. The inaugural Olusegun Mimiko Distinguished Alumni Lecture was held at the university auditorium, focusing on advancing health equity and innovation across Nigeria and Africa. The lecture series aims to achieve greater investment in health equity and innovation.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Friday Okonofua, Foundation Vice-Chancellor of UNIMED and President of the African Academy of Sciences. He traced the evolution of the university to Mimiko's medical village initiative, which led to the establishment of UNIMED in 2014 as Nigeria's first specialised university of medical sciences. Okonofua urged the university to prioritise research and innovation to address Africa's healthcare challenges.
Prof. Okonofua stressed that UNIMED must remain focused on producing knowledge and solutions to improve healthcare delivery across the continent. He encouraged the university to build on the foundation laid by Mimiko and develop homegrown health solutions. The lecture series was attended by the university's management, alumni, students, and key stakeholders in the health sector.
The President of the UNIMED Alumni Association, Adedayo Adesida, said the lecture was established to honour Mimiko and institutionalise the recognition of visionary leadership. He added that the association is committed to nurturing the legacy through initiatives designed to strengthen the institution. The alumni association has launched an automated transcript portal and the Adesegun Fatusi Alumni Research Grant.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNIMED, Prof. Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, commended the alumni for establishing the lecture series, saying it reflected the philosophy upon which the university was founded. She maintained that the institution's responsibility extends beyond producing technically competent medical professionals to developing healthcare innovators.
Adejuyigbe emphasised that celebrating Dr. Mimiko reminds the university of its duty to produce compassionate innovators who will close the gap in access to quality healthcare. The Vice-Chancellor noted that UNIMED was founded on the principle of caring hearts advancing health for all. The lecture series aims to promote this principle and encourage alumni to contribute to the development of the university and the country.
The UNIMED Alumni Association's initiative has been recognised as a way of preserving a legacy of compassion and visionary leadership. The association's efforts to strengthen the institution and promote health equity and innovation are expected to have a positive impact on Nigeria's healthcare sector. The lecture series will continue to promote the legacy of Dr. Mimiko and encourage investment in health equity and innovation.
Key points
- The University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) was established in 2014 as Nigeria's first specialised university of medical sciences.
- The inaugural Olusegun Mimiko Distinguished Alumni Lecture focused on advancing health equity and innovation across Nigeria and Africa.
- The UNIMED Alumni Association has launched initiatives to strengthen the institution, including an automated transcript portal and the Adesegun Fatusi Alumni Research Grant.
