In May 2024, we set out not just to lead, but to serve—with intention, with vision, and with the resolve to leave OOUMSA better than we met it. And we did so with a simple but powerful belief—that we could do more, and that we could do it better, if we did it together.

We knew the task would be demanding. The expectations were high, and the weight of history sat on our shoulders. But we also knew what was possible when vision meets commitment and when service is anchored in sincerity.

Over the past eleven months, we poured our hearts into the work. Not for recognition, not for applause, but for the good of the community we swore to serve. We challenged inertia. We built bridges—across constituencies. We chose progress over comfort. And when it was hard, we remembered why we started.

Between May 14, 2024, and April 14, 2025, we recorded a range of impactful initiatives, engagements, and institutional contributions:

The tenure commenced with a victory reception held at Rodem Hotel and Suites. In the months that followed, the Council embarked on courtesy visits to key stakeholders within the College and Teaching Hospital, including Prof. M.B. Fetuga (Provost, OACHS), Prof. Ayoade (Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences), Dr. Motunrayo Fatungase (CMD, OOUTH), Dr. O.E. Jagun (former CMAC), Dr. Monehin (President, ARD), and Dr. Kukoyi (OOUMSA Patron). Additional visits included a strategic session with Prof. T.A. Ogunlesi to rejuvenate the research culture and a celebratory visit to Prof. Ayodele Olatunji Oyegunle in honour of his 90th birthday.

A landmark initiative was the launch of the Dr. Samuel Busayo Ogunlade Annual Essay Competition, awarding ₦260,000 in cash prizes to the top 10 entries. The association’s brand identity also underwent a strategic overhaul across media platforms under the Office of the Director of Public Relations.

To enhance the media team, a specialized Visionary Media Group (VMG) Workshop was held to train the OOUMSA Media Team. Welfarism was prioritized through pre-MB and MB exam support and hospital welfare outreach to ailing members at A&E, including fruit packages and assistance with attestation letters, all undertaken by the Office of the Director of Welfare Services.

We introduced the first-ever line of OOUMSA merchandise, comprising branded ward coats, lapel pins, and ties. The Academic Committee, led by the Vice President, facilitated tutorial classes and MB Viva simulations for the Med ’21 class. The Director of Socials hosted a well-attended movie night.

The Office of the Director of Finance began releasing monthly financial nuggets, and the OOUMSA Book Drive was revitalized by the Secretariat to meet academic needs. Infrastructure efforts included reopening and maintaining the Clinical Building toilets, repairing call room bed frames, procuring a new bed for the Paediatrics call room, and fixing fans and bulbs in the call rooms. Additionally, beddings and curtains were laundered. 

The association was recognized as the Best Performing MSA in May and awarded Best Performing Anglophone MSA of the tenure by FAMSA in 2024.

Funding was secured for the association’s 2024 NiMSA Games outing, facilitating the procurement of 30 pieces of new jerseys. The football team engaged in friendly matches with State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu community teams, while the swimming team resumed structured training. At the 2024 NiMSA Games held in Lagos, our athletes secured 23 medals under the leadership of the Director of Sports.

OOUMSA Ventures was rejuvenated for increased profitability and affordability of services, including the leasing of a portion of the association’s landscape to a food vendor. The Get Fit Program was introduced in collaboration with Bravo Fitness, and the OOUMSA Food Bank launched with contributions from partners such as Dr. Jagun and Honeypot.

In a show of inclusivity, we visited both the MED ’23 and ’24 sets at Ago-Iwoye. The Office of the Preclinical Director organized a five-week introductory tutorial series for MED ’23 and a three-day orientation for MED ’24, which included a hospital tour and football matches.

Collaborative efforts included co-hosting an X(formerly Twitter) Space with OOU Law Students’ Society on “Medical Negligence: Law and Practice,” and partnering with 1611 Entertainment to host “Goal for Mental Health”—featuring a wellness talk and novelty match. We also partnered with WakaFit to host a virtual career talk on sports medicine featuring Dr. Jimi Osinaike and Dr. Adenitan Ridwan.

The OOUMSA QuizKlub represented the association in multiple academic competitions, placing third in the FAMSA Quiz as the only Nigerian MSA in the top three. The OOUMSA Literary & Debate Society represented the association in multiple literary competitions, coming first at the OOUSUG Festus Ogun Interfaculty Debate Competition, with a member recognized as Best Speaker and named OOUSUG President for a Day.

A 33-man delegation, led by the President, participated in the 2024 NiMSA Southwest Convention, where President Ayomikun Adu “Fabulous” was awarded Best Performing MSA President. The first-ever Pre-Clinical Week from the Director of Pre-Clinicals’ Office featured the maiden Preclinical Cup (male and female), a brainstorming session with Prof. Oyegunle, a symposium, an orientation program, and a themed picnic. The 2024 Preclinical Trip to Ilaji Resorts was also successfully executed.

The Med ’19 class was hosted to the Association’s inaugural White Coat Ceremony. The association ensured the administration of the first two doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine from a $1,160 grant secured by the previous Dr. Sam Ogunlade-led administration.

Four new organs were established within the Association: the Research Club, Health Club, Press Club, and Alumni Relations Committee—each with formally appointed chairpersons, the establishment of these bodies was facilitated by the President and the Director of Public Relations. The Office of the Director of Finance organized a virtual Business and Finance Summit.

Quarterly reports of the association activities were published by the Office of the General Secretary, and a Bulletin showcasing the efforts of external representatives was released by the Editorial Board—under the Office of the Director of Public Relations. The Face of OOUMSA 2024 contest was launched after a long hiatus by the Director of Public Relations, and we participated in the 3rd NiMSA Caucus Meeting at UCH, Ibadan. The OOUMSA e-Library bot was launched through the Assistant General Secretary in collaboration with the President.

We established an official LinkedIn account through the Director of Public Relations. The Department of CMPC, in partnership with the OOUMSA Health Club, commemorated World AIDS Day 2024. We collaborated with QuintaHealth to host a Breast and Cervical Cancer Training and Community Outreach in Sabo Market, Sagamu, screening nearly 100 women.

The Director of Public Relations convened The Thrive Series, a three-day virtual professional development seminar, was held to enlighten members on personal branding, CV Writing, and LinkedIn optimization. The association hosted the 2024 edition of the Professor Adewale Laditan Competition (OOUMSA ALLIANCA) through the Director Of Sports and notably, it was the first ALLIANCA where the runners-up were presented with medals. We also co-hosted an X(formerly Twitter) Space on “Overcoming Burnout” in collaboration with UIMSA and OSUMSA, through the Director of Public Relations. The “Meet the EC” series for the tenure was completed.

On Valentine’s Day 2025, the VMG under the Directorate of Public Relations organized a social media contest with cash prizes. A strategic meeting was held between the Executive Council, the Alumni Relations Committee, and the OACHS Medical Alumni Association (OMAA). Leadership meetings with committee and club heads provided insight into progress, challenges, and potential areas for the EC’s support.

The OOUMSA Entrepreneurs Catalogue was launched to spotlight member-led businesses, through the Office of the Director of Finance, supported by the President. We participated in major institutional events, including the commissioning of Glass House by the ’99 set, and the commissioning of the renovated New Auditorium by the OACHS/OOUTH Class of ’94 and attended the class’s reunion at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

The OOUMSA Health Club, in collaboration with the Abeokuta Peace Club, hosted a Stress Management Workshop for 200 and 300 Level students. The Exemplars Nomination initiative was launched by the Office of the General Secretary to honour outstanding members.

The association attended two Annual General Meetings of the NAGGMDP in Abeokuta and participated in the Reproductive and Sexual Health event by the Association of Public Health Physicians. Nexus Bibliotheca, an intellectual resource hub, was introduced by the Vice President. A safe space webinar titled “Breaking from the Norm” was held to commemorate International Women’s Day, in partnership with Gynix Africa.

The tenure concluded with the launch of the Women in Leadership document featuring our reputable alumnae in the fields of Leadership, Politics and Governance. The “Meet the Creatives” compendium was released to spotlight the portfolios of members of the association’s media team, and the third edition of the OOUMSA Parrot Magazine—tagged “Metamorphosis” was released. The Parrot was last released in 2018, and finally the OOUMSA Website was brought back to full functionality through the Office of the Director of Public Relations and the President.

Today, we close this chapter with gratitude—for the privilege to serve, for the trust reposed in us, and for the unity of purpose that propelled each milestone forward. Every step we took was a step forward for OOUMSA—not always perfect, but always deliberate. And through it all, we found strength in each other. Committees became communities. Challenges became catalysts. And OOUMSA, in every sense, became a little more like the association we all dream it could be.

To everyone—our members, our supporters, our donors and alumni, we say—thank you. For your trust. For your criticisms. For your patience. Leadership is never a solo act, and ours was no exception. Every win we count is a shared one.

To our successors, we leave not just an office, but a charge: lead with courage. Speak with clarity. Work with humility. And above all, never forget who you serve.

This chapter ends, but the work continues. We are proud of what we’ve built—and even prouder of what lies ahead. This is how we’ll be remembered—not just for what we did, but how we did it: together.

Together, we have become more!

Yours,

The OOUMSA Executive Council, ’24/’25