ADDRESS OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR IBIYEMI IBILOLA OLATUNJI-BELLO, mni AT THE 25TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF THE LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY FOR THE AWARD OF DOCTORATE DEGREES (Ph.D.), CONFERMENT OF HONOURARY DOCTORATE DEGREE AND EMERITUS PROFESSORSHIP ON THURSDAY, 24TH MARCH, 2022 AT THE BUBA MARWA AUDITORIUM.
Mr. Governor Sir, I hereby seek your indulgence to stand on the already well established protocol
- Governor Sir, the Governor of Lagos State and Visitor, Lagos State University, Mr. Babajide Olusola SANWO-OLU
- His Excellency, Rt. Honourable Aminu Bello MASARI, Governor of Katsina State and Chairman, Convocation Lecture
- His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, the Governor of Borno State
- His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar GANDUJE, Governor of Kano State
- The Convocation Lecturer and former Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed TINUBU
- The Deputy Governor, Lagos State, His Excellency, Dr. Kadri Obafemi HAMZAT
- The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Mudashiru OBASA and by extension all Honourable Members of the State House of Assembly here present
- The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Honourable Justice Kazeem ALOGBA
- The Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. Gbolahan Elias, SAN
- Our Royal Majesties, Highnesses and High Chiefs here present
- Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Sherifat Folashade JAJI
- Head of Service, Lagos State Government – Mr. Hakeem Muri OKUNOLA and the Body of Permanent Secretaries of Lagos State
- Chief of Staff, Lagos State Government, Mr. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde
- Members of the State Executive Council here present
- Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Education, Hon. Tokunboh WAHAB and other Special Advisers here present
- Chairman of Statutory Commissions here present
- Chairman, Lagos State University Governing Council and Other Members of the Governing Council
- Chairmen of Local Governments and Local Council Development
Area here present
- Heads of other Tertiary Institutions here present
- Principal Officers of the Lagos State University
- Distinguished Professor Peter OKEBUKOLA
- Members of the University Senate
- Top Government Functionaries and Heads of Ministerial Agencies
- Ag. Provost, Deans of Schools and Faculties
- 25. Directors of Non-Teaching Centres and Directorates
- 26. Religious/Community Leaders
- 27. Iyaloja and members of Market Men and Women Associations
here present
- Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State Council –
Chief Mrs. Funmi Sessi
- Chairmen and Members of Staff Unions
- The President, Lagos State University Students’ Union and
members of his exco
- Staff and Our World Class Students of the University
- Gentlemen of the Press
- Ladies and Gentlemen
On behalf of the Chancellor, the Pro Chancellor and members of our Governing Council, members of Senate, Principal Officers and other members of our University Community, I heartily welcome our distinguished guests, family members, Alumni and World Class graduating students to the grand finale of the 25th Convocation ceremonies
I am grateful to God for the opportunity that I have to address this honourable gathering on this special occasion in the life of our great University. I am equally delighted that this is the first Convocation Ceremony I will preside over since I took over the mantle of leadership of this great University, six months ago. As it is the tradition, the University shall award Doctorate Degrees, Confer Honorary Doctorate Degrees on deserving individuals and the rank of Emeritus Professor the first in the history of the University.
This Convocation Ceremony also affords us the opportunity to inform this honourable gathering about our Vision, Strategic Goals and Achievements in the last six (6) months.
Our Vision is to make the Lagos State University the Best in West Africa with the highest and finest level of academic and research standard. This is not an illusion or wishful thinking. We have what it takes to translate this Vision into a reality and we are committed to this course.
Our strategic goals towards achieving our Vision are:
- Ensuring that academic and professional programmes are and remained accredited by the relevant bodies;
- Making the Lagos State University a research, innovation and development hub for Lagos State and National development;
- Ensuring that infrastructural facilities are improved upon and readily available for seamless performance of administrative and academic duties;
- Improving Internal Generation of Revenue with the aim of achieving financial sustainability of the University;
- Promoting the welfare of all staff and students in the University; AND
- Promoting participation in Sports and Recreational Activities.
These strategic points have been guiding our activities in the university and to the glory of God, we have made some modest achievements within the last six months, some of which are highlighted as follows:
- We have secured approval to establish three new Faculties and one (1) school namely:
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences;
- Faculty of Pharmacy;
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and
- School of Library, Archieval and Information Science
- Maintained and secured collaboration with top institutions within and outside Nigeria, including Cornell University, USA, Delta State University and Gombe State University.
- organized a research ethics workshop for all interested academic staff
- We are also investing massively in infrastructural facilities of the University. To this effect, we have
- revamped the LASU printing press,
- renovated the offices of academic and non-academic staff,
- we are renovating Epe campus,
- facilitated the deployment of internet across the campuses and plans are underway to improve more of our facilities.
- We have fully equipped our classrooms with state of arts equipment;
- We have ensured that there is access to proper welfare packages including:
- payment of salaries on or before 23rd of each month,
- introduced free medical check-up for every staff on his or her birthdays,
- Activated the Lagos State Health Scheme in the University;
- Ensured prompt payment of 30% of basic salary as end of year 2021 bonus as directed by the State Government amongst others.
- Commenced the Part-Time programme;
- Facilitated the completion and commissioning of the Students ‘Union Arcade and the provision of two buses for the Union; from the State Government
- Under our leadership, several of our staff have secured appointments in top establishments in Nigeria
- we are currently upgrading our sport facilities in LASU and we have the goal to host international competitions on our campus in the not too distant future.
- Motivated by the knowledge that every 21st Century University depends on a robust and functional ICT, we have empowered and funded our Directorate of ICT to come up with creative solutions. That repose of confidence birthed the upgrade of our certificate to one embedded with an Instant Verification Feature, with which individuals and organisations can verify the authenticity of a LASU certificate immediately, from anywhere in the world. I believe we are the first university in Nigeria to create this innovation.
- In addition to this, we also have other achievements in the area of ICT, which includes:
- Installation of Plagiarism checker in the University;
- Installation of Remote Lecture room, lecture recording studios and smart classrooms;
- Installation of thesis repository management centre;
- Commencement of automation of Issuance of matriculation number;
- Commencement of online clearance and result uploading portal all in Postgraduate School;
- Introduction of digital forensic training with participants from multinationals and other sectors;
- Introduction of a course in cyber policing;
- Introduction of Senate decision extracts management system;
- Introduction of e-Senate and Senate file management with access for all members;
- Automation of all diploma programmes with result portal;
- Digitalization of all University’s records from 1985 – 2015;
- Signed MOU with Delta State University on ICT Solutions
- There shall be a proper winding up of LASU External System by August 31st, 2022 with a process that commences on April 1st, 2022. This process will be with flexible make-up exams for students that have outstanding courses. Further information on this will be released in due course.
- Commencement of construction of Technology hub for staff and students of the University by the Lagos State Government
- Commencement of the construction of blocks of toilets across Faculties in the University
- Commencement of construction of 800 seater lecture Hal sponsored by Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker Federal House of Representatives
- Commissioning of the Primary Health Care Centre donated by Office of the Senor Special Assistant to the President (SDG)
I must emphasize that with the support we are getting from the Lagos State Government, the Chancellor, Council, Senate, Staff and students, we will deliver our mandate.
As we graduate new set of students today, we can confidently assert that our graduands are repositories of knowledge, imbued with the right ethics and requisite intellectual capacity required for the much needed personal and societal development in the 21st century. The total number of Ph.Ds to be awarded today is 76.
The University will be conferring Honorary Degrees on Five distinguished personalities as follows:
- His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, the Governor of Borno State
- His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar GANDUJE, OFR, Governor of Kano State
- Mr Goodie Ibru, OON;
- Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and
- Mrs Ibukun Awosika
I therefore congratulate them on this worthy award.
To Distinguished Professor Peter Akinsola OKEBUKOLA, (OFR) the conferment of the rank of Professor Emeritus on you today is our modest way of appreciating all you have done and still doing for us at the Lagos State University, as well as your contributions to other Universities in Nigeria and the world.
At this juncture, I must acknowledge and commend those whose concerted efforts have culminated into the success we are gathered here to celebrate today. I want to appreciate the Visitor to the University and Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly Rt. Honourable Mudashiru Obasa and other Special Advisers and particularly Special Adviser on Education Barr. Tokunbo Wahab, the Secretary to the State Government and other Commissioners for your immense support for the Lagos State University. We appreciate our Convocation Lecturer, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed TINUBU, for his immeasurable support of the University and your immense contributions to the growth, development and history of Lagos, Nigeria, Africa and the world in general. Am particularly glad to announce Asiwaju donation of a Centre for Leadership and Development worth 1Billion Naira in Lagos State University.
We equally appreciate his Excellency, Chairman of the Convocation Lecture, Alhaji Aminu MASARI, the Governor of Katsina for gracing this occasion with his presence.
Our Chancellor, Professor Gbolahan Elias, SAN, your passion for Lagos State University is infectious and we are grateful for the selfless service. How best can I describe the distinguished men and women who constitute the University Governing Council headed by Sir David Sunmoni. These distinguished members exert the same level of diligence and commitment to the business of the University as they would do to their personal enterprises, striving at all time to ensure LASU’s development. I also appreciate the University Management, Senate, Academic and Non-Academic members of staff and our Staff Unions for their zeal, innovation, steadfastness and commitment towards the LASU project.
Our benefactors have contributed in no small measure to the progress of the Lagos State University and we are most grateful to you all. We recognise your contributions and would be continually honoured to have you as partners in progress.
Gentlemen of the press, you have been our partners in progress and we appreciate the good works you are doing particularly with regards to your positive reportage of our activities as an Institution.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, notwithstanding our modest achievements, the Lagos State University is still in dire need of assistance. We welcome your support and promise that the endowments will be put to the best of use for the development of our University and the Society.
Your Excellences, our esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for your attention.
We are LASU, We are Great.
Professor Ibiyemi I. OLATUNJI-BELLO, mni
Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University
Thursday, 24th March, 2022
LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY
SPEECH BY THE VICE CHANCELLOR, LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, PROFESSOR IBIYEMI IBILOLA OLATUNJI-BELLO, Ph.D mni, AT THE LAGOS DAY EVENT OF THE LAGOS DIVISION INDIGENOUS FORUM ON WEDNESDAY 26TH OF JANUARY 2022
All members of the Governing Council present, the Deans of Faculties, Distinguished Professors, respected members of staff present, members of the Lagos Division Indigenous Forum, ladies and gentlemen, Good afternoon!
I am delighted to be present at this wonderful celebration of Lagos, not only in my capacity as Vice-Chancellor of this great institution, but also as an integral part of this division. Let me congratulate and commend the Chairman and members of Lagos Division Indigenous Forum for organizing this event. It is thoughtful and expedient to mark the sociocultural achievements of our land.
The Lagos division is the heart of Lagos State itself. The history of Lagos flows from Lagos Island, particularly at the crowning of Oba Ado as the first Oba of Lagos, to the relationship with the Idejo chiefs, who are acclaimed as the original landowners of the islands of Lagos, and the role of migrants to the development of Lagos. All these culminate into the urbanisation and civilization that Lagos has attained unrivaled today. In fact, the flow of migration to our city, attracted primarily by the ever-burgeoning commercial realities in the 21ST century, has created a modern population largely representative of the entire country. Always seeking to express its own distinct identity. In spite of all these, the urbanisation of Lagos has not divorced the city from its roots. We still feel at home in the face of history as we look into the future. This is why it is essential that this celebration of Lagos Day cannot be overemphasized.
More interesting though is the fact that Lagos is a melting pot of cultural traditions. The city has a lively growing arts scene, which is as much evident on the streets and in personal celebrations. The world famous Eyo Festival, the Lagos Street Carnivals, and the One Lagos Fiesta are cultural events that we all look forward to whenever they are due. Lagos is the city of recreation. It is also a place where the creative industries of the country are very significant. Lagos is at the centre of the most important film industry in Africa, Nollywood. Lagos has always had a strong connection to theatre. It is also home to music; Fuji, apala, juju, and many others. More importantly, Lagos is home to the Afrohip-hop that many young people have embraced as well as Afrobeats music movement that has eventually dominated the world music scene.
Lagos has birthed many positives, but it has its own struggles. Lagos has not escaped the problems common to so many other modern cities though. Pollution can be really problematic every day, and severe traffic congestion is a bane to the metropolis. Personal safety is not as assured as it was in the 20th century when the city was not as populated as it is right now. I can still remember our lived-experiences in Olowogbowo community in Idumota, especially on Issa Williams, down to Sanusi Olusi Street, and to all other areas on Lagos Island, the land was secure. Incidences of street fighting, and hooliganism was virtually non-existent. Today, security issues are cause for concern as a result of the problem of population explosion in Lagos. The climate crisis is still impacting Lagos in its own ways too. Despite the many challenges of Lagos, the old city has preserved the charm, character, and culture that give it and its residents a style of their own.
Always changing, always evolving. In five years, this city is never going to be the same, never has it been. Lagos is always moving forward, and our progressive ideologies have many testaments. Eko Atlantic and the future Ocean city are testaments to Lagos’ constant metamorphosis. It is what makes us love Lagos. It is what keeps Lagos alive.
However, the future Lagos must be technologically driven as this has changed the face of the world. There is no alternative to infusing innovation and technology into all aspect of the future of Lagos to make it a truly global state and the indigenous people of Lagos must take the driver’s seat in this stead
I thank Dr. Habeeb Sanni, and the entire Lagos Division Indigenous Forum for honouring Lagos. Lagos deserves the honour. I thank everyone, every sponsor or partner of this event, for making it a reality. I also thank everyone who has made time to come down here today to honour our city and our division and its way of life. May we all continue to move forward with Lagos and see more of its beauty.
Moyo fun e, moyo fun rami!!!
Thank you very much.
Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola OLATUNJI-BELLO, Ph.D, mni
Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University
WELCOME ADDRESS OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR, LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, PROFESSOR IBIYEMI IBILOLA OLATUNJI-BELLO, mni AT THE 25TH CONVOCATION CEREMONIES LECTURE OF THE LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY HELD ON THURSDAY, 24TH MARCH, 2022
- Governor Sir, the Governor of Lagos State and Visitor, Lagos State University, Mr. Babajide Olusola SANWO-OLU
- His Excellency, Rt. Honourable Aminu Bello MASARI, Governor of Katsina State and Chairman, Convocation Lecture
- His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, the Governor of Borno State
- His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar GANDUJE, Governor of Kano State
- The Convocation Lecturer and former Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed TINUBU
- The Deputy Governor, Lagos State, His Excellency, Dr. Kadri Obafemi HAMZAT
- The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Mudashiru OBASA and by extension all Honourable Members of the State House of Assembly here present
- The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Honourable Justice Kazeem ALOGBA
- The Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. Gbolahan Elias, SAN
- Our Royal Majesties, Highnesses and High Chiefs here present
- Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Sherifat Folashade JAJI
- Head of Service, Lagos State Government – Mr. Hakeem Muri OKUNOLA and the Body of Permanent Secretaries of Lagos State
- Chief of Staff, Lagos State Government, Mr. Tayo Ayinde
- Members of the State Executive Council here present, in particular, my darling Husband, the Commissioner for Environment & Water Resources
- Our Chairman, Sir David O. A. Sunmoni and other Members of the Governing Council here present
- Chairmen of Local Governments and LCDAs here present
- Heads of other Tertiary Institutions here present
- 18. Principal Officers of Lagos State University
- 19. Distinguished Professor Peter OKEBUKOLA, (OFR)
- 20. Members of the University Senate
- 21. Top Government Functionaries and Heads of Ministerial Agencies, here present
- 22. Provost, Deans of Schools and Faculties
- 23. Directors of Non-Teaching Centres and Directorates
- 24. Religious/Community Leaders
- 25. Iyaloja and members of Market Men and Women Associations
here present
- Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State Council –
Chief Mrs. Funmi Sessi
- Chairmen and Members of Staff Unions
- The President, Lagos State University Students’ Union and
members of his exco
- 29. Our Dedicated Staff and World Class Students
- 30. Gentlemen of the Press
- Distinguished personalities
- Ladies and Gentlemen
It is with profound pleasure and singular honour that I join the Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor and on behalf of the Council, Senate, Management, Staff and Students of the Lagos State University to welcome you to our 25th Convocation Ceremonies.
Recall that the Ceremonies commenced with a Press Conference held on Wednesday, 16th March, Staff Sports Competition on Thursday, 17th, Jumat Service on Friday, 18th, followed by a Special Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 20th, while the Coconut Breaking Ceremony and the Convocation Play Command Performance took place on Monday, 21st.
Today, we are gathered for a significant activity of the Ceremonies, the Convocation Lecture, which will be delivered by a former Governor of Lagos State, a Visitor to our University, and National leader of All Progressive Congress (APC).
Permit me, therefore, to welcome most specially and with every sense of humility, our Convocation Lecturer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Lagos State University. I want to publicly register our appreciation, as I have done in private, to you Sir, for doing us the honour of accepting to deliver, in spite of your extremely busy schedule, the 25th Convocation Lecture, titled: Global Trends: Nigeria’s Rightful Place in the World. At such a time in Nigeria, we cannot think of a better personality as qualified as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give a suitable lecture on this subject.
The entire university community is, therefore, grateful for this magnanimous gesture, and not only that, for your indelible contributions to the heights that this great university has attained today. Indeed, your part in the history of LASU will forever be written in gold for your crucial and lasting interventions as the Visitor to our University between 1999 and 2007.
My special recognition goes to our Visitor and Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola SANWO-OLU who has been a strong pillar providing the necessary support we require to adequately deliver on our mandate which today’s convocation ceremonies signifies.
I am also delighted to welcome, most respectfully, the Chairman of today’s occasion, His Excellency, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, the Governor of Katsina State, who graciously accepted to Chair this occasion. We do not take for granted the personal sacrifice involved in coming from far-away Katsina to honour us at this august occasion. We thank you most sincerely sir. I am convinced that His Excellency’s profound interventions will further enrich this Lecture.
I welcome all our Distinguished guests from across the length and breath of Nigeria, who have come to congratulate us on this occasion of our Convocation Ceremonies. I welcome specially members of the Lagos State Excos, House of Assembly, Chairmen of Local Government, royal fathers, friends and associates of our Guest Lecturer. Your presence here, today, has added colour to the Convocation Ceremonies.
Your excellences, beyond the Award of Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees, which is the hallmark of Convocation Ceremonies, the Convocation Lecture forms an integral activity that is usually highly anticipated by the academic community during Ceremonies such as this. The reason is simple: Convocation Lectures provide the opportunity for the gown (the university) to invite and listen to highly accomplished individuals in society (the town) as they share their insightful perspectives on any topical issue, especially those relevant to the development of the institution. The lecture, apart from stimulating public consciousness and opinion on such issues, shapes government policies and reawakens the academia to our often-neglected role of being the solution hub for societal challenges. Today’s lecture will be no different.
The 25th Convocation Lecture, titled “Global Trends: Nigeria’s Rightful Place in the World is, therefore, as timely and as relevant as it can get especially in the wake of recent global developments, and who else can deepen our knowledge on the topic than the Convocation Lecturer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a man who is as Nigerian as any Nigerian can be.
Your excellencies, our choice of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Convocation Lecturer is meticulously and carefully thought out, informed by his pedigree as an outstanding and visionary leader who has significantly contributed to our trajectory as a nation, especially the survival and enrichment of our democracy, even in the face of personal sacrifice.
Asiwaju has committed himself to learning and perfecting the act of sound leadership, ultimately for the benefit of the people of Lagos, his primary constituency, the South West, his wider constituency and the nation as a whole. His natural acumen for leadership, coupled with his sound political education and the mentorship of many great politicians in the history of Nigeria makes him one of the most remarkable politicians in Nigeria, and Africa, since the turn of the 4th Republic. He is indeed a true and excellent people’s builder.
A pan Nigerian, Asiwaju’s influence and reach cut across the major geographical and geopolitical zones of the nation. He is a bridge builder who has consistently lent himself to what is good and beneficial not just to the people of the South West, but to all Nigerians. His title as the Jagaban Borgu earned from far away in Niger State speaks volume to this effect.
Such a man, therefore, possesses rich insight into the topic of this Convocation Lecture and I am convinced that we will be better off listening to him today.
This Lecture is coming at a critical time in our world’s history when nations are grappling with the realities of war in faraway Europe, the vestiges of the Covid-19 pandemic and its attendant economic and social challenges, and issues of climate change amongst others.
As far as leadership is concerned, the country has over the years produced outstanding leaders of various world organisations and in terms of human capital, Nigeria has an abundance of quality individuals, who are contributing in large measure not only in Nigeria and the African Continent, but also on the global stage. These are in spite of the various challenges we face as a nation.
These developments essentially make Nigeria’s place a critical one in global affairs. Indeed, her economic status, political leadership, human resources and location make the country a central piece of global trends.
Our strengths as a sovereign nation confer on us certain privileged positions in the scheme of things globally. However, the big issue around the lecture today is how Nigeria can take her Rightful Place in the World. I have no doubt that today’s lecture will provide answers to that.
We are a University on a mission and until that mission is accomplished, we will not rest on our oars.
Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I urge you to pay undivided attention to our lecturer as we all have something to learn from his words of wisdom.
We are LASU, We are Great.
Thank you.
Prof. Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, mni
Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University
24th March, 2022.