Peace is a sine qua non for development of any sort to thrive. The Lagos State University (LASU)previously synonymous with crisis has metamorphosed to a citadel of learning, where academic calendar runs uninterruptedly for four years, courtesy of the man at helms of affair, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Olarenwaju Adigun Fagbohun. No wonder the Non-Academic Staff Union of the university on Friday January 9, honoured him with Lifetime Achievement Award, where he, Fagbohun poured encomium on the union members. CYRIACUS NNAJI and CHIDIOGO ASIERIKA report.
Professor Olarenwaju Adigun Fagbohun (SAN, NPOM), the Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) saluted the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the institution for their unwavering cooperation with his administration.
Fagbohun who was also honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award by the union said his success as a Vice Chancellor of the institution was attributable to the steadfastness and determination by the group to ensure that peace reigned in the institution.
“One of the things that have sustained me till today is because NASU Members fully supported me. I have less than one year to go. If I continue to thank NASU everyday for the next one year, it won’t be sufficient,” Fagbohun said.
Speaking further the Vice Chancellor said “I must thank you because some people did not want me to spend up to six months on this seat. But your support has not allowed them to succeed. Before now, once they raise a false alarm, everybody kowtows, but no more.”
He disclosed that their support has sustained him “This is what has sustained me. Every member of this University, devoid of religion, devoid of tribe has been supportive. All the previous members of the management and even the current ones have been loyal. They have supported me. I thank them.
“What you have said in LASU is that you will not support evil. When a management is acting right, you will support the management. For me as the 8th Vice Chancellor, anything that I know that will add value to you; I will always want to do it. Many of you have been good to me, and I will not forget you.”
Fagbohun pleaded with the group to accord same cooperation to whoever that is coming as next VC, “I plead, whoever is my successor, support them the way you have supported me.
We have established a template for working together, they will follow the template.”
On his part, the Chairman of the Union, Comrade Sanni Ige Moruf, in his speech appreciated members of the Union and especially Management for the support he has received so far.
“I am humbled by the mandate given me by our respected members to steer the affairs of this great union of ours. I also must appreciate the University Management for their sense of commitment to the yearnings of staff members in general, students and NASU-LASU members. We are proud of your management style and hope for better working relationship in the year 2020 and beyond,” Moruf stated.
Moruf spoke further “There was no year without crisis in LASU but since this man, Professor Olarenwaju Fagbohun came into the system, we don’t even know how he brought peace into LASU. He brought peace and development to LASU. The major challenge we have now is who is going to succeed this man. So we don’t pray after the expiration of Fagohun’s tenure they should bring another person that will bring us another crisis, we are okay with this peace.”
Dr Adebanbo Adewale Oduwole, the immediate past university Librarian of LASU and presently university Librarian for Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, who was also honoured by the union said he felt happy “I feel honoured and great, I think it is a good thing for my people to recognize me.”
Comrade Agnes Fumi Sessi, Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Lagos State Chapter, pouring out her feelings on the end of year party and award, stated that LASU is a peaceful institution “You can see the peaceful ambiance, both the staff and students, Lasu is very peaceful. You can see happiness in the faces of all the workers, if they are not happy, definitely they would not want to celebrate the end of the year. So to whom much is given, much is also expected from him.
“The management and government have already given so much to the workers and they, in return, they also feel they should also give back to those who have given them so much. The VC got an award, the bursar, the former librarian, past leaders of the union, this is very very good, and it is a good trend. We should try and appreciate those who have done well. Even when we find out that we have differences we should both call the attention of the leaders for the observations you have made so that we can sit down together and negotiate and then move forward, but for this, I think it is a step in the right direction,” Sesi stated.
