The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Graduating Class of 2023, popularly known as The Conquistadors, has donated 10 state-of-the-art galvanised metal waste bins, a laptop and a printer to the university to improve waste management and support the institution’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation process. The items were……
The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Graduating Class of 2023, popularly known as The Conquistadors, has donated 10 state-of-the-art galvanised metal waste bins, a laptop and a printer to the university to improve waste management and support the institution’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation process.
The items were presented by the Chairman of the class, Emmanuel Olukorede Alakuko, alongside the Secretary-General, Samuel Opeyemi Akinyemi, and received on behalf of the university by the Dean of Students Affairs, represented by the Sub-Dean of Students, the Students Affairs Officer and other officials of the division.
Speaking during the presentation, Alakuko said the legacy project was conceived after members of the graduating class identified the need for more durable waste disposal facilities on campus and better support for the NYSC Mobilisation Unit.
He noted that although FUTA has maintained a culture of cleanliness over the years, poor-quality waste bins often deteriorated quickly, prompting the class to invest in more durable alternatives.
“Over time, FUTA has had the clean culture, and however different organisations have tried to curb having a dirty environment, there has always been a challenge of the quality of waste bin. Most of the time the waste bins made do not last, which made us opt for this galvanised metal with laser cuttings waste bin to curb this challenge as they’ve been recorded to use over 10 years in places they were first employed,” he said.
According to him, the bins, manufactured by Linkorp Limited, were designed using galvanised metal with laser-cut technology similar to those installed at Ndubuisi Kanu Park in Lagos. They will be installed at the university’s North Gate, South Gate and eight other strategic locations on campus.
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Alakuko explained that the donation of a laptop and printer to the NYSC Mobilisation Unit was inspired by his personal experience during the mobilisation of his graduating class in 2024.
“For the support of the NYSC mobilisation unit, we had a challenge during mobilisation of our set for NYSC in 2024, where there was no system to use and I (Emmanuel Olukorede Alakuko) had to release my personal computer for the purpose of the mobilisation and look for a way for the unit to print, just to ensure my peers were mobilised in due time. The support is to ensure the seamless work of the unit,” he said.
He added that the project had been in the works since their final year and was funded from contributions made by members of the graduating class.
“Ever since 2024 when we were in our finals, I’ve always had the vision of addressing the problems of quality waste management system, and although there were some challenges which made it impossible to achieve at the time, my committee members being forward thinking just as myself agreed to embark on the project and execute it,” he said.
Alakuko expressed confidence that the waste bins would serve the university community for at least a decade and urged other alumni groups and the university management to invest in similar projects across the campus.
“We believe that in the next 10 years to come these bins will still be standing and serving the campus and ensuring the community is clean, and we also hope that other bodies within the university, including the university management will look towards this and make more of these bins so as to serve the entire campus,” he said.
He also expressed optimism that the ICT equipment would eliminate challenges previously experienced during NYSC mobilisation exercises.
According to him, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adenike Temidayo Oladiji, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. T.T. Amos, Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. D.O. Oke, and other officials commended the initiative and encouraged current students, future graduating classes and alumni to continue supporting the university through projects that address critical needs.
Alakuko reaffirmed his commitment to promoting FUTA’s development through alumni-driven initiatives, saying members of *The Conquistadors* remain dedicated to giving back to the institution that shaped them.
