UNIFEMGA Urges Nigerians to Embrace Positive Mindset for National Development
Oru Leonard
Members of the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA) have called on Nigerians to adopt a positive mindset, patriotism and collective responsibility as critical ingredients for national development and progress.
The call formed part of the communiqué issued at the end of the 2026 Annual National Reunion of the association held at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, between May 8 and May 10, 2026.
The conference, themed “The Potential within Nigeria: Positive Mindset and Communication for Success,” commenced with a Jumat service at the OAU Central Mosque of Unity, followed by a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, and other principal officers of the institution.
According to the communiqué signed by UNIFEMGA National President, Mohamed Buari, and National Secretary, Sefiu Ikudaisi, the university management acknowledged the positive contributions of the association towards the development of the institution.
The reunion lecture was delivered by the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, while the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Matrix Energy Group, Abdulkabir Adisa Aliu, chaired the event.
Also in attendance were the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Religious Affairs, Bello Adeniyi, as well as the Pro-Chancellor of OAU, Adejare Bello.
As part of its welfare initiatives, the association presented 140 scholarships worth N14.6 million to students of Obafemi Awolowo University. UNIFEMGA disclosed that since the inception of the scholarship scheme in the 2009/2010 academic session, a total of N103.4 million has been disbursed to 1,148 students of the institution.
The association also launched a N200 million endowment fund aimed at supporting widows and orphans of members. Other activities during the reunion included a networking dinner, medical outreach, novelty football match and keep-fit exercises.
In its observations, the association noted that Nigeria possesses abundant human and material resources capable of transforming the country into a global force if citizens embrace positive attitudes and unity of purpose.
The group, however, expressed concern over challenges facing tertiary education in the country, including brain drain, obsolete equipment, disruption of academic calendars and outdated curricula, urging government to urgently address the issues and convert the “Japa” trend into “brain gain.”
UNIFEMGA further called for stronger collaboration between universities and the private sector to enhance research, innovation and sustainability, while urging government to improve electricity supply, infrastructure and human capital development to create a conducive business environment.
The association also stressed the need to create employment opportunities for unemployed youths to prevent their exploitation for violence by “selfish and unpatriotic individuals.”
It concluded that a positive mindset remains the foundation for building a great nation and urged Nigerians to imbibe values that promote peace, discipline, productivity and national unity.
