The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has received a transformative gift in the form of the Ojogbon Orchard Park, an extensive fruit orchard endowed by two prominent alumni, Prof. Adeniyi Afolabi and Farmer Ayopo Somefun. Officially commissioned on August 22, 2025, this unique project is designed to serve as a lasting legacy of nourishment, wellness, and sustainability for students, staff, and visitors.
The Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, hailed the orchard as an inspired humanitarian gesture that goes far beyond aesthetic campus beautification. He emphasized its practical purpose: to provide free fruit for the University community, especially in intensive academic periods like examinations, thereby promoting health and refreshment. The orchard’s location was purposefully selected for high visibility during major campus events like convocations, making it a symbolic focal point of community pride and shared responsibility. Prof. Kehinde also acknowledged the challenges of managing access to ensure equitable benefit while expressing confidence in the project’s enduring value as a generational legacy.
Prof. Afolabi, a key architect of the initiative, revealed that the first phase of the orchard includes about 1,000 fruit trees comprising 10 different varieties, with plans to introduce additional varieties in the coming year. His vision is for the orchard to provide year-round fruit availability as a space for relaxation and inspiration. He shared usage guidelines encouraging visitors to enjoy the fruits fairly without taking more than two pieces at a time.
Farmer Ayopo Somefun announced further plans to enhance the park’s comfort by installing concrete seating and tables, turning the orchard into a welcoming natural retreat. He called on fellow alumni and well-wishers to emulate this example by supporting impactful projects that benefit the University and wider community.
The President of the FUNAAB Alumni Association, Mr. Bolaji Gbadamosi, praised the Vice-Chancellor for his leadership and described the alumni’s contributions, including scholarships totaling over ₦20 million and logistical support during exams, as vital pillars of the University’s progress. He lauded the Ojogbon Orchard Park as a symbol of innovation, generosity, and community service, underscoring the alumni association’s ongoing commitment to the growth of FUNAAB.
The inauguration event was attended by top University officials and dignitaries who commended the donors’ exemplary philanthropy and visionary spirit.
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This initiative complements other recent efforts by the FUNAAB Alumni Association to advance agricultural development and campus sustainability, including the planting of 100,000 trees and the establishment of a 2,000-acre Alumni Farm Hub dedicated to large-scale agricultural productivity and innovation.
The Ojogbon Orchard Park stands as a testament to the power of alumni engagement and the commitment to nurturing both the land and the minds within FUNAAB’s academic community, promising to nourish generations of FUNAABites for years to come.
