By Cyriacus Nnaji
Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has carved out two new universities for Lagos State even as the Vice Chancellor Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello called for the establishment of Independent Power source for the state institution.
The two administrators made the disclosures at the 2021 Annual Governor’s Lecture organised by the Lagos State University Alumni Association held on Thursday, 2nd December, 2021 at the Buba Marwa Auditorium in Ojo.
The theme of the LASU Alumni Association lecture was “Educational Leadership and Technology as Viable Options for Economic Recovery and Nationhood: The Experience of Lagos State”.
According to the Governor, the Lagos State Polytechnic will soon become Lagos State University of Science and Technology, while the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education at Epe will become Lagos State University of Education.
He said “Gone are those days when people will come out with NCE that is not preferable, everybody wants university education. We are providing technical colleges where from the secondary school you can indeed go to a technical college, also we are going to be turning a lot of our public schools to comprehensive schools so that skills acquired straight from the secondary school you can indeed know that you have a part to developing yourself in other skills.
“My administration understands the role of Education and Technology play in transforming society, this explains why we made Education one of our strong pillars under our THEMES agenda, Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Entertainment and Tourism, Governance and Security.”
He continued “In the last two years we made extensive progress in education and technology even with the setback from covid pandemic on how we live, how we socialize and how we conduct our activities. We policy makers need to determine how we can further use technology for sustainable and economic growth.
Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, on her part, appealed to the governor to assist in providing an Independent Power source for the University
She expressed appreciation to the governor whom she said has been a pillar of support to the university “I express my profound appreciation to the Executive Governor of Lagos State and Visitor to the University, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support for the University. His prompt response to all issues pertaining to the Lagos State University and the entire State is unprecedented.
“Mr. Governor has demonstrated quality leadership and support for the University by prompt release of monthly subvention for payment of salaries, immediate release of funds for accreditation, commencement of the construction of over Nine Thousand bed space students hostel on Ojo Campus and the release of additional four billion Naira to the 2022 University Budget. Mr Governor has also taken steps to renovate and revamp the Epe Campus of the University, unprecedented support of the Lagos State University College of Medicine and various ongoing projects across our Campuses,” she said.
She said the Alumni Association represents a significant and vocal constituency in the university community, adding “The roles of the Alumni Association include supporting a network of former graduates who will, in turn, help to raise the profile of the University, participating actively in the Institution’s developmental activities, helping to build and grow the Institution’s brand, providing mentoring, internships and career opportunities for young graduates, assisting in the admission of new students, offering of scholarship to potential students and supporting research development through institution of research grants. The contributions of the Alumni Association are among the factors considered in the ranking of an Institution.
“I assure the leadership of LASU Alumni Association that this administration under my watch understands the crucial role of the Alumni in the development of the University and we are determined to partner with the Association in our quest to make the Lagos State University the best University in West Africa.
She said that to demonstrate commitment towards this, “We have carefully anchored our Vision on six (6) strategic goals that align with the mandate of LASU Alumni Association. These strategic goals are: To ensure that Academic and Professional Programmes are and remain accredited by the relevant bodies; To make the University a research, innovation and development hub for Lagos State and National development; To ensure that infrastructural facilities are improved and readily available for seamless performance of Administrative and academic duties and To improve Internal Generation of Revenue with the aim of achieving financial sustainability of the university.”
Others are to promote the welfare of all Staff and Students in the University; and to promote participation in Sports and Recreational Activities.
Bello called for the support of the LASU Alumni Association towards achieving the strategic goals. “The Alumni Association is an asset. The views and positive statements that the Alumni Association presents in relation to the University through the media or other physical or social means provide support for the reputation of the University.
