…Says welfare top on her priority
From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
The Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) Prof. Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, has assured the matriculating Part-time students of the institution that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure their security and also to make the university environment conducive for learning.
Prof. Olatunji-Bello made the disclosure at the matriculation ceremony of Part-Time students of the institution for the 2023/2024 Academic Session which took place at the Buba Marwa Auditorium at Ojo, on the 5th of April, 2024.
Professor Olatunji-Bello who was solidly represented at the occasion by the Vice Chancellor, (Academic) Prof. Olufunsho Omobitan also pleaded with the students to report any suspicious activity within the university for immediate response.
The Vice Chancellor also stated that the welfare of the students have been made top on the priority of the institution.
She said, “Your welfare is top on our priority and we will not relent in our effort to ensure that your learning environment remains conducive and competitive. Please be assured that your security in and around the university is paramount to the university management. Hence we have put in place adequate security measures and I plead with you to report any suspicious activity within the university for immediate response.”
The erudite Professor described LASU as university of first choice, the 9th overall best university in Nigeria among 298 universities, the best university in West Africa, according to the University of Indonesia (UI) Greenmetric Global Ranking, Best in the use of technology, e-learning and best in use of technology for students records; and also best state university in digital transformation.
She congratulated the parents, guardians, family members and well wishers of the students for their efforts towards ensuring that the students fulfill their dreams of having qualitative education.
She urged the new students to make good use of the opportunity while studying in Lasu. “As you embark on this academic journey, I urge you to make the best use of your stay in the Lagos State University, take advantage of all the resources available to you, engage with you peers in meaningful discussions, participate in extra curricula activities, and above all strive for excellence in anything you do.”
Prof. Olatunji-Bello reminded the students of the need to abide by the school rules and regulations. “Remember that education is a privilege and it is up to you to make most of it. As young men and women desirous of brighter future, it is expected that you abide by the rules and regulations of the university, and be committed to your studies, be regular in attending lectures, carry out all your assignments, shun deviant behaviours, avoid indecent dressing, and carefully select your friends as bad friends destroy good habits.
“The university has zero tolerance for cultism, avoid examination malpractices, do away with corruption and hooliganism, and other vices that can expose you to danger, as those found culpable will be delt with in line with our disciplinary measures and mechanisms,” she stressed.
Olatunji-Bello also stated that there is no room for sexual and gender based violence under her watch. “I must state also that the university under my administration has zero tolerance for sexual and gender based violence. That informed our decision to establish the directorate for response and preventive for sexual and gender based violence, do not keep silent when you are harassed, or assaulted in any manner, if you see something, say something.”
She admonished the matriculating students to show respect to their colleagues as well as staff in the university to make their stay successful.
The Professor said that the new students are now part of the lovely LASU family. “In conclusion, I believe that each and every one of you have the potential to achieve great things in their academic and personal lives. You are now part of the lasu family, a family that values diversity, inclusivity, and excellence; work hard, stay firm to your goals, and never lose sight of your dreams.”
Speaking at the event also was the Director, School of Part-time Studies, Prof. Danoye Oguntola-Laguda, who took the audience through memory lane on how the school came about. “On assumption of office, one of the strategic goals of the 9th substantive Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, is to provide tertiary education to the cosmopolitan population of Lagos State, and to bring people who, due to reason beyond their control cannot enroll in the UTME process. As a result of it the school of part-time studies was birthed in October, 2021. Consequently this is the third set of students admitted by the school of part-time studies since the assumption of office of the incumbent vice chancellor.
“In 2021 the directorate admitted students into five faculties, and nine departments and in 2022, an additional two departments, Psychology and Public Administration were added to the admission, for the 2023/2024 admission, we have five faculties and 18 departments, with two departments, Banking and Finance, and Marketing added to the existing one,”he stated
On the whole the School has Faculty of Arts with only one department, department of history and international studies; Faculty of Communication and Business Studies, Mass Communication; Faculty of Management Sciences, which has department of Accounting, Banking and Finance, Department of Public Administration, Department of Industrial Relations and Human Resources Management and Department of Marketing, etc; Faculty of Science has Department of Computer Science; Faculty of Social Sciences has four: Department of Economics, Department of Political Science, Department of Psychology and Department of Sociology.
He said the school has 3875 students as of today. “It would be of interest to all to know that the Directorate of the School of Part-time Studies, as at this year has added the total of 3875 students for 100, 200 and 300 levels.”
He stated that apart from admitting student with WAEC and GCE O level into five years programs, the Directorate also admitted, for this academic session, students with National Diploma as direct entry students into four years programs.
While congratulating the freshers, he urged them to shun all forms of vices. “I congratulate the matriculating students and urge you to endeavor to shun all forms of vices and ungodly peer pressure. I want to assure you that at the Directorate we are ready to play our part in ensuring your success as undergraduates of this great university and we encourage you also to play your part by being hardworking, focused and dedicated to your studies, at the end of your program in this university you are expected to go out to the world to be positive change agents, that would be the pride of the university, the state and nation as a whole.
“We are aware of the challenges that could come to you and we are doing everything possible to overcome all the challenges by your support and cooperation, the greatest Lasuites, I am sure we shall deliver on our mandate to bring education to the doorstep of the teeming population.”
Ogunfole-Laguda used the opportunity to express his appreciation to the Vice Chancellor and the management for their support. “May I use this medium to express our deepest appreciation to the Vice Chancellor, Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, and other members of the university management for their support at all times to the Directorate of school of part-time studies since inception.”
