Some former students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) who were predominantly footballers during their days in FUNAAB have given substantial financial support to the family of the late Chief Coach, Mr. Victor Osuntolu.
The late Chief Coach Victor Osuntolu contributed immensely to the development of sports in the University and exhibited so much commitment and determination that produced great sportsmen for the University.
The good initiative of the students has received great commendations both within and outside the Alumni community.
The former students who were mostly graduates of 2015 came from Anambra, Enugu, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, and several other states in Nigeria to kick-start a process of supporting the family of the late Chief Coach.
According to a statement by the University, the Vice- Chancellor on behalf of the University community appreciated the good initiative of the former students while charging others to emulate the kind gesture.
“Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the University , Professor Babatunde Kehinde appreciated the donors for their support, commending them for finding a place in their hearts to give back to their alma mater.
The Vice-Chancellor, however, stated that nothing was too small when one is giving back to his or her alma mater, stressing that “FUNAAB was not where they left it.”
He, therefore, said that the University has been growing and excelling in academics and sports over the years.
Professor Kehinde, a Fellow of the Genetics Society of Nigeria (FGSN), told the former students to raise their heads high wherever they found themselves globally, as FUNAAB is fast rising in global university rankings.
He added that FUNAAB came 11th out of 88 universities in the Nigerian University Games (NUGA), hosted by the University of Lagos (UNILAG), in 2022.
Earlier, the Captain of the team, Mr. Paul Owolabi who graduated from the Department of Forestry in 2015 eulogised the late Chief Coach, noting that the team has come to give back to him for the support he gave them while they were in FUNAAB.
Commending the efforts of the former students, the Director, Directorate of Sports, Dr. Samuel Olabanji said the team gave back to honour the memory of the late Chief Coach, adding that the Directorate of Sports also got financial support.
High point of the visit was a friendly match between the former students and the staff team which ended 3-0 in favour of the former students.