By Ogochukwu Isioma
The University of Benin Alumni Association of North America (UBAANA) has built and donated a multi-million naira ultra-modern Recreation Centre to the University of Benin (UNIBEN) for use by students of the institution.
Located at the Ugbowo campus of the institution, the Recreation Centre, a signature project of the President Alex Eronmwon-led UBAANA, was unveiled on Wednesday by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Lilian Salami.
The Ugbowo campus Recreation Centre is significantly larger than the Ekehuan Recreation Centre, inaugurated by UBANA at the Ekehuan campus of the university in August 2022.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, President Eronmwon said the gesture was borne out of a request by the then Students’ Union President, in line with UBAANA’s commitment to giving back to the society.
He, therefore, urged the students to make good use of the facility and also take good care of the edifice, noting, “after strenuous studies and lectures during the day, there is the need to recreate and interact with one another.”
According to him, “The students earnestly sought the establishment of a recreation centre at the Ekehuan campus to enhance their welfare and provide a space for relaxation and socialisation after their demanding academic activities.
“Their request was promptly fulfilled with the construction of a recreation centre at the Ekehuan campus, which was commissioned on Aug. 31, 2022.
“With the success and high patronage of the centre at the Ekehuan campus, the association recognised the need to replicate this initiative for the larger population of students at the Ugbowo campus by building a bigger and ultra-modern recreation centre for them.
President Eronmwon commended the vice-chancellor for approving the choice of land and location of the recreation centre as, according to him, the centre will provide students with an excellent opportunity to relax, socialise, and engage in various activities, ultimately enhancing their overall university experience.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we also reaffirm the values that our association cherishes – fostering a progressive and dependable network among alumni and students of the University of Benin.
“This is because today’s students are tomorrow’s alumni. Students who enjoy a positive university experience are more likely to contribute to the growth and development of the university once they graduate.
“Therefore, we strive to enhance our relationship with students through mentorship, support, and contributions to their positive university experience,” he noted.
Earlier, the vice chancellor who commissioned the edifice, said the recreation centre, the first of its kind on the campus, would provide the students with a fantastic space to relax, socialise, and participate in various activities; enhancing the students’ learning experiences.
Professor Salami said, “Initiatives like this from the Alumni Association foster a progressive and dependable network among alumni and students, ultimately promoting institutional growth and development. Once again, I thank UBAANA for their generosity and commitment to our university.”
She called on the alumni body to continue collaborating in support of the university, creating a robust and positive network among alumni, staff, and students alike; and lauded UBAANA for emerging as the flagship branch of the university’s alumni association.
Professor Salami said the ultra-modern facility was a testament to the dedication and generosity of the North America alumni body and commended UBAANA and President Eronmwon for their tireless efforts in bringing the project to fruition.
On its part, the Institution’s Students’ Union President, Agboola Israel Timilehin applauded President Eronmwon and UBAANA for the edifice, saying the recreation centre would help to ease their stay on the campus.
Also speaking, Director of the UNIBEN Alumni Relations, Dr. Stephen Obeki Obeki, commended UBAANA and its President for the gesture and urged students to emulate President Eronmwon when they graduate and become alumni.
The new UBAANA Recreation Centre, with several charging hubs, fully-equipped office, a shop, rest rooms, vast open space with chairs, will serve the larger population of the university students at Ugbowo campus.
Dignitaries at the ceremony were the vice chancellor and her management team, mother of President Alex Eronmwon and an alumnae, Mrs. J. O. Eronmwon; Emeritus Professor and Mrs. Raymond Elaho, and President of the alumni body in United Kingdom and former governorship aspirant, Dr. Loretta Ogboro-Okor.
Others were the newly-elected Worldwide President of the UNIBEN alumni body, leaders of the UNIBEN branch of the alumni body, a former University Orator and Dean of Students, Professor Eddy Erhagbe, including past and present Students’ Union leaders, among other guests.
