Dr Ekundayo Samuel, a lecturer at the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, has been elected as President of the Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association, Nigeria (COSFAN).
The Kogi-born Dr. Samuel was previously the association’s Secretary-General.
Our correspondent reports that Dr Samuel and other new Executive Committee of the Association were inaugurated on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at the British Council, Lagos, during the 2023 Commonwealth Day event.
Barrister Funmilayo Oniwide administered the oath of office for the new officers.
Other Executive Committee members were: Dr. Azizat Amoloye-Adebayo, Vice President; Dr. Maryam Omolara Quadri, General Secretary; Mrs. Helen Akinwande-Fidelis, Publicity Secretary; and Dr. Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde, Treasurer/Financial Secretary.
Others included: Dr. Oluwatosin Igbayiloye, North-Central Regional Coordinator; Dr. Adetoun Mustapha, South-West Regional Coordinator; and Prof. Olayinka Nwachukwu, South-East Regional Coordinator.
The new executives are expected to serve for two years, renewable for another two years.
In his inaugural speech, Dr Samuel, who is also the Executive Director, Dove-Haven Foundation (DHF), thanked the out-going President, Dr. Abiola Adimula for her unflinching support and contribution to the growth of the association.
He also commended COSFAN’s Patrons; His Excellency, Prof. (Amb) Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR, and His Imperial Majesty, Oba Babatunde Enitan Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, for being pillars of support and courage to the Association.
Dr Samuel equally thanked COSFAN’s Matron, Her Excellency, Dr. Aminat Abdusalami-Bello, Wife of the Executive Governor of Niger State for her immense support.
The new COSFAN’s president appreciated the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Emeritus Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede, all other Board members and Advisors especially, Emeritus Prof Michael Omolewa, former and present Executives and members for their support and contributions to the growth of the Association.
Dr Ekundayo Samuel also extended the appreciation message to COSFAN’s statutory Technical Advisor, The Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu for his technical support.
The event was well attended by its members, advisors, the British Council Country Director, Lucy Pearson including members of the public.
COSFAN is a body consisting of eminent Nigerians who have enjoyed the sponsorship of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), United Kingdom (through the British Council in Nigeria), in their respective postgraduate academic pursuits or career enhancement from 1960 to date.
Over 2,000 Nigerians have benefitted from the scholarships and fellowships awarded by the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission, UK. Formally registered in 2012
As a non-profit organisation, COSFAN’s core objective is “to use the knowledge of indigenous and commonwealth pieces of training which members received, both locally and overseas impact Nigerian society, especially in the thematic areas of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), education being the foremost”. It is supported by the British Council.
