Outgoing Vice Chancellor University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe has said ‘institutional’ loyalty was the driving force of the institution’s management team which he heads. He said they were not given to personal gains, effective service delivery.
He spoke during the valedictory programme in his honour on Wednesday on campus in Akoka.
His tenure ends on Saturday, November 12,2022. He would be succeeded by Prof. Folasade Ogunsola who was named new VC last month.
“In all our deeds, we put institutional loyalty first. We did not think of personal gain in all our affairs.
Members of my team didn’t see the assignment as a job, they saw it as a calling,” he said.
He noted that during the crisis that engulfed the institution that resulted in his removal by the Wale Babalakin-led governing council, he was resolute and was at peace with himself.
Ogundipe praised all those who stood by him during that difficult period, particularly Ogunsola,who he described as a sister.
The outgoing VC was able to attract a research grant of N19 billion within four years to the university. “For us to have attracted research grant of N19 billion within four years is commendable,no university in Nigeria achieved that,” he said.
He lauded the Senate of the institution describing it as the best in the world.
His words:”The university runs with a system,if you disrupt such, it will fight. Senate of UNILAG proved to be the best in the world. Somebody disrupted the UNILAG system and it fought.”
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Rahman Bello, who was Ogundipe’s predecessor, said the school was built on sound principles. He hailed Ogundipe for improving the institution despite the crisis that threatened his position. He said he was proud of him.
He urged leaders to learn from UNILAG saying,five years was adequate to fix things.
“With Ogundipe’s success, I myself have succeeded. I am am honoree today too.
His five years seemed like 10 to me because of interesting events that too place. We should learn from what has happened here.UNILAG is a well established institution that cannot be robbed. When everything looked shaky, I was confident things would be normal. The school is based on sound principles. God is with this school. I am proud of Toyin Ogundipe. He has been able to move UNILAG to the next stage. He was able to wade through COVID 19, brought us to era of e-learning. Infrastructure has been modernised and improved. Nigeria should learn from us,five years is enough to reposition things. We should extend our experience here to the nation’s for it to move forward,” he said.
Chairman Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNILAG branch, Dr Dele Ashiru paid tribute to the outgoing VC. He described him as a dogged fighter, supportive and union-friendly VC.
“It is a honour to be part of the success story of UNILAG. Prof.Ogundipe is a rugged and dogged fighter. He presided over the university in one of the most turbulent times in the country.
“He is a union;friendly VC. While some divide and rule,our union has enjoyed a harmonious relationship with the university under the leadership of Ogundipe. He has been of tremendous support to all labour unions on campus.
“He gave us palliatives during the 2020 strike and pandemic,the only university in Nigeria to do that,” he said. Ashiru, however charged the incoming Ogunsola to be fair in her appointments and bring back students union on campus.
Dignitaries at the event included, former Secretary General of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Mr. Ayo Opadokun, pioneer head of department of Chemical Engineering, UNILAG, Prof. Ayo Ogunye,veteran journalist and scholar, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi, Founder Trinity House Church, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, university officials, well wishers and students.
They all paid glowing tributes to Ogundipe for proving his mettle in the university.