The Association of Fine Arts (AFAS) Global Alumni at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Nigeria, is calling on Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Moderator of the polytechnic to prioritize the Department of Fine Arts. They are urging the governor to employ more lecturers to teach and train students in the department, as well as promote alumni staff to higher positions in the polytechnic management.
The alumni association, which currently has over 200 registered members worldwide with more joining, held its inaugural meeting on Saturday and appointed Gbenga Oladokun as the Caretaker Chairman. Jide Oyeleye was elected as Secretary, and Olurinde Peters Jimmy, an advertising practitioner, was selected as the Publicity Secretary.
Gbenga Aremu, Mrs. Yemi Ajewole-Alade, Femi Adeyinka, and Wale Onakoya will serve in the Protocol Offices of the association in Ibadan, Lagos, and the Diaspora, respectively.
Other members of the Caretaker Committee include Kunle Yakubu (Finance), Dr. Sola Alimi (Protocol), Adedayo Sapoloso (Awards), Andrew Akinbodewa (Exhibition), Mrs. Omolola Aduroja, and Oluwole Omofemi.
During the inauguration, Lifetime Achievement, Academic Excellence, and Long Year Service Awards were presented to some of the alumni. Hon. Abiodun Fadeyi, an alumnus of the polytechnic and the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, and Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, were honored with awards of recognition. The Oyo State Cultural Troupe also added color to the event with their captivating performance.
In his statement, Gbenga Oladokun, the Chairman of the alumni association, highlighted the shortage of lecturers in the Fine Arts Department and appealed to Governor Makinde to hire more qualified staff and improve infrastructure. He expressed a desire to restore the department’s past glory, which he and his colleagues experienced during their time as students in the department several years ago.