Minutes of congregational meeting held during Reunion 2003

The meeting started at 4:45pm on the 8th of Nov., 2003 at All Souls’ Chapel. It was presided over by Dr. Owotade by the permission of Mr Laoye Jaiyeola, the oldest senior friend around at the time. The meeting was kicked off with an opening prayer said by Dr. Owotade (the moderator). Mr Jaiyeola was then called upon to give an opening charge.

In his charge, he exhorted us to live by the word of God at all times, quoting from the Joshua 1:8. He charged the present citizens to make the best use of the opportunity they have now as they may not have such much time again.

The minute of the last meeting was read by Bro Bayo Adeniyi, the Editorial Secretary. And as the reading was ended, the first president of the fellowship, Mr Remi Olowoloba was gracefully ushered in around 5:05pm. He was well applauded by the whole family and was formally welcomed by Dr, Owotade. Proper introduction was done by the Bro Kayode Ariyibi being the president at the time when the first president was sought out.
In the absence of no observation from the minute, the motion for the adoption of the minute was moved by Mrs Owotade and seconded by Mr Sola Ewedemi.

Matters arising from the minute
- Attendance at the Reunion:- the coordinator said that the attendance at the Reunion has always being low. He then welcomed suggestions on how the attendance can be improved upon. Mr. Saturday Obiyan, one time a member of prayer subgroup and an Academic Secretary, was the first to speak. He said that what he sees as the way forward is to improve on the publicity of the programme. In response to this, Dr. Owotade, the coordinator, informed the house that the fellowship now has a website which he thinks will help in the publicity.

Mrs. Ogunlusi said that we have to be spiritual about the matter that the fellowship should always pray for the senior friends. She also suggested that both the senior friends and the citizens should always get the addresses of known senior friends across to the fellowship. She said that we need to let the senior friends know that we care for them. Mrs Kemi Idowu mentioned that the fellowship should get in contact with the P.G. Students. She also suggested that we invite senior friends to our various programmes so that they would be carried along.

Mr Laoye Jaiyeola said that we didn’t even know whether the various zones stated in the last meeting are functioning. He stressed that it should be the responsibility of the senior friends to get in contact with the fellowship and not the other way round. He said if there is a reunion of 40 senior friends, then it is a successful reunion because quite a number of the senior friends has left for other churches. He then stated the importance of the senior friends’ fellowship that its network would be very hlpful especially in the business world outside. Mr. Jaiyeola further said that the fellowship should work well with the Ife zone senior friends. He commended the efforts of the last two or three executives of the fellowship and the present at the time on running after the senior friends.

Mrs Owotade, challenging the present citizens said that they should not forget the fellowship after they graduate, as she has never missed a reunion. Bro Kayode Ariyibi said that the fellowship has really tried in getting in contact with the senior friends. He mentioned the website as one of the avenues, the programmes of the final year brethren whereby they invite a senior friend from outside to give them a lecture, the opening of the Alumni register during his tenure as the president and the various journeys embarked upon. He said that we just need responses from our senior friends.

Bro Olujimi Olabintan, the incumbent president, apologized for any lapses of the side of the fellowship. He then said that the problem is with the senior friends, stating that they have to sit down and reason out a purpose or vision for the reunion. He said that there should be a proper supply of senior friends’ current addresses. He also expressed his bitterness towards the improper funding of this reunion. Mr. Jide Kolade said that we should not see the reunion as a failure especially having the first president around, and some senior friends from Enugu, Lagos, etc. He also said that the problem is with the senior friends after having spoken of his own commitment. He said that no amount of publicity will make some senior friends come for reunion. He then challenged the citizens to choose today whom they would serve. He said that ASF (then AYF) made him what he is today. He said that we should try to be committed to the fellowship.

Mr Bola Alabi said that we should not really blame any party. He said that we always get in contact with the senior friends that still have the interest of the fellowship at heart and not really waste our resources on others. He said that we should always plan according to our purse.

Mr. Jaiyeola encouraged us to keep working hard and he suggested a get together for all senior friends to be handled by the Ife zone (Dr. Owotade as the coordinator). He said that the whole essence of the reunion is to encourage one another. He suggested that the website should be shortened for easy remembrance. He reminded us of the Gideon’s army that many came out for the war but God chose a few. Stating that we should not force senior friends that are no longer in Christ to come for reunion but we should always contact them. He said that he tells those he knows not to forget the fellowship.

Dr. Owotade said that it is glaring that there is still need for reunion. He said that the zones would be reengineered. Also that according to his investigation, alumni association is very important to the progress of and organization. He said that those that worked with him in Ife zone were encouraging and that he was really blessed by the messages of the programme so far.

Reengineering the Zones
Dr. Owotade said that it would be done at the alumni level. Also the choice of the next reunion’s date (2005) would be done at the alumni level. He said that the senior friends should not see it as if the fellowship is using them. The website address was announced as www.asfoauife.faithweb.com.

Mr. Ola moved the motion for the adjournment of the meeting and was seconded by Mr. Jide Kolade. The meeting was brought to an end at 6:05pm.