Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM) now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM) class of 1997/1998 has held its maiden reunion meeting in Abuja with a call on the members to contribute positively to the development of the school and society at large.
Welcoming the alumni members at the event, the group executive director of LEADERSHIP Group and Governing Council member of the university, Engr. Abraham Nda-Isaiah, an alumnus of the university, commended the members of the association for turning out impressively to honour their alma mata.
Nda-Isaiah charged them not to be deterred by any situation or circumstance but to be encouraged by continuously participating in the association’s future activities in the state. He also enjoined them to step up their efforts to contribute to their alma mata to give back to society.
The event which was held at the Exclusive Serene Hotel on Saturday, witnessed a convergence of members of the sets from different parts of the world.
The Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM) was renamed Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM) by the federal government in honour of a prominent son of Benue State, the late Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarka.
In his speech at the maiden event, the chairman of the Abuja branch of Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM) and consultant in Power and Development, Egnr. George Njoku, said the significance of the reunion was to provide a relaxed opportunity for the members to meet their old friends and possibly recall with nostalgia, the school life and how things have changed for good.
More importantly, Njoku expressed the need for the alumni to embark on some school projects to give back to the university and society at large.
While emphasising the need for members to contribute to the growth of the university, Njoku disclosed that the general alumni body of the school, has over the years, executed several projects on campus including but not limited to water treatment plant, planting farm, production of bottle and sachet water, endowment funds for best graduating students.
He further disclosed that the recent project is to have an “Alumni Village” within the university complex that would provide hostels and lodging accommodation and other recreational facilities.
Njoku charged members to always demonstrate the power of networking and explore ways to support one another in their personal and professional endeavours.
Highlights of the event was a reunion lecture series on financial literacy presented by Mimi Nongo, a dynamic entrepreneur and financial professional and lifestyle modification as a modality for the prevention, delay and management of hypertension by Dr. Tersoo Nongo, Registrar/Associate Fellow in the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
On a sober note, members observed a minute’s silence in honour of their late schoolmates.
Meanwhile, the planned election into various leadership positions of the association was deferred to await the adoption of a working constitution.
Consequently, members resolved that the interim EXCO made of David Tyofa, David Nongo and Kemi Wusah should continue to steer the affairs of the association, pending when an election is conducted.
Indeed, the event provided a platform for classmates to reconnect, share experiences, and celebrate their achievements over the past 27 years.
