The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos State University (LASU)

  • Lagos-Badagry expressway project on course – CCECC

    Lagos-Badagry expressway project on course – CCECC

    The China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), Contractors handling the expansion of the Lagos/Badagry Expressway project, on Thursday assured Lagos residents that the project would be delivered on schedule.

    An Official of the company, Mr Izuchukwu Obioma, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    NAN reports that the contract for the rehabilitation of the Lagos/Badagry Expressway was awarded in 2009 by the Lagos State Government.

    The plan for the project, which is meant to be completed in 2019, is to expand the expressway from four lanes to ten lanes, with a metro rail line in the median.

    This is expected to curb perennial traffic congestion on the international highway which serves as a gateway to Lagos from the neighbouring West African countries.

    Obioma spoke on the backdrop of complaints from residents that the project was being unnecessarily delayed.

    He said that although there was a little delay, it was caused by the rainy season.

    “It is true that the rains posed a challenge but we have had to devise new means to save valuable time and resources.

    “We had to suspend aspects of the job like some areas where asphalt and excavation are required and some portions where piling work is required,’’ he said.

    Obioma, however, assured that the pace of the job would be accelerated after the rains, to make up for lost time.

    He said that the company would continue to do the work that could be done now, so that immediately the rains ceased, the work would be accelerated to cover up for lost periods.

    The CCECC official said that the Lagos State Government was on the verge of striking an agreement with the police authorities on what to do about the two police posts which occupied the right of way on the road.

    “There is one police station opposite the Ojo military cantonment and there is another in Okokomaiko, both occupying the right of way.

    “The state government officials have been meeting with the police authorities on what to do about these stations, so that they will not create further delay,” he said.

    Obioma said further that the authorities of the Lagos State University (LASU) had agreed to remove parts of the school’s fence, which was also occupying the right of way.

    “In the LASU axis, we have started replacing parts of the fence that would need to be pulled down for occupying the right of way.

    “Authorities of LASU were very cooperative because they understand the importance of the project and we appreciate them for that,” the CCECC official said.

    A NAN check revealed that different portions of the road were receiving attention.

    The portions from Orile Iganmu to Agboju, FESTAC Town’s second gate, have been fully rehabilitated, while the portions from Alakija to Okokomaiko are presently receiving attention.

    Some structures close to the LASU fence have also been pulled down, to pave way for their relocation.

    Excavation, piling and construction of drainage are also ongoing on portions of the road from LASU to Okokomaiko.

  • LASU tasks staff, students on security consciousness

    LASU tasks staff, students on security consciousness

    Following recent attempts to allegedly kidnap two students of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, the authorities of the institution have charged its staff and students to be more security conscious, avoid night outings and black spots.

    The warning was published in the new edition of the university’s Official Bulletin which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

    The bulletin urged members of the university community to be more conscious of their movements, both within and outside their environment, saying that reports of kidnap cases were on the increase.

    It explained that a female student of the university allegedly escaped an attempted kidnap and promptly reported the case to the Security Unit of the institution.

    The culprit was allegedly arrested and handed over to the Police for thorough investigation and prosecution, if found culpable.

    According to the bulletin, another female student was also allegedly hypnotised and abducted, but was lucky to escape being used for rituals.

    The female student, who was tagged ‘unusable’ by the ritualists, was later returned to a place in the city, and the abductors called her mum to pick her at the spot.

    “In view of these developments, students and members of staff are strongly advised to be wary of people they chat or make friends with, especially on various social media platforms.

    “Some of such persons may be fraudsters, criminals and kidnappers,’’ the bulletin said.

    It also urged members of the university community to avoid late night walks, black spots and to always watch their movements and be conscious of people within their environment.

    “The bulletin however advised the students and members of staff to promptly report any movement of strange faces or any funny happenings around them to Security personnel.

  • Downpour affects Lagos-Badagry road project – CCECC

    Downpour affects Lagos-Badagry road project – CCECC

    The Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC), the contractors handling Lagos-Badagry expressway and the Lagos Light Rail projects on Thursday said the recent downpour had slowdown work.

    Mr Izuchukwu Obioma, an official of CCECC, made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    “The major challenge we have now is the rain which has really affected our work pace.

    “There are areas where we are supposed to be laying asphalt by now but we have to hold on for the rain to subside.

    “What we do mainly now is to intensify piling and excavation in other areas so that when the rain subsides, we will fast-track other aspects of the job.

    “I assure Nigerians that between November and December, enormous progress would have been recorded,’’ he said.

    Obioma said that the Ojo Military Cantonment and the Police Station opposite also posed challenges to the road project.

    “The fence of the Ojo Military Cantonment and the Police Station opposite are also meant to be demolished to create right of way, but we cannot do that until both are relocated.

    “Although the military authorities have given approval for the relocation, we are waiting on the Lagos State Government to take necessary steps,’’ he said.

    Obioma assured the people that the delay would not affect the 2019 conclusion date for the project.

    NAN reports that excavation and construction of drainages are ongoing at different segments of the road.

    Some banks close to the fence of the Lagos State University (LASU) like the Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) have also pulled down their structures to allow for demolition of the fence.

    Some road users on the Lagos-Badagry axis have been complaining about difficulty in plying the road.

    Mr Feyi Olaofe, a regular user urged the contractors to ensure quick completion of the project for succour to road users.

    “The suffering on this road has lingered for too long, especially in this rainy season, and I can only urge the state government to ensure that the project ends on schedule,’’ he said.

    Mr Idris Saka, another road user, commended the Lagos State Government for embarking on the project.

    “I quite agree that there is discomfort due to the ongoing construction on the road but it is expected.

    “I am more concerned about the comfort I will enjoy when the work concluded,’’ he said.

  • LASU employs 80 students for part-time jobs

    LASU employs 80 students for part-time jobs

    Lagos State University (LASU) has employed more than 80 students to work in its library on part-time basis.

    The University Librarian, Dr Oduwole Adebanbo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that the initiative was a work-study project aimed at empowering the students.

    Adebanbo said it was also geared towards developing the students’ employability skill.

    “Management of this university is committed to developing the employability skills and work experience of our students.

    “We also want them to earn substantial money while they school here.

    “The project is just one of many the university management is working on,’’ he said.

    According to him, any of the students, who performs well, will be retained by the university.

    Adebanbo advised the students to be at their best in terms of dressing, dedication and maturity.

    “Keep doing your level best; we will retain the outstanding and exceptional ones among you.’’

    The President of LASU Students Union (LASUSU), Kappo Samuel, described the initiative as laudable, saying that it was fallout of existing cooperation between the university management and the union.

    Samuel said the 80 students were shortlisted out of hundreds of applicants and the selection process was transparent.

    “The work-study project is a synergy programme between LASUSU and the management of the institution.

    “It will employ over 500 students at its peak as the process for other similar opportunities will soon be announced.

    “Students interested in the library work were asked to submit application; they were interviewed.

    “The criterion use in selecting the best employees included good composition, grammatical structure and handwriting,’’ Samuel said.

    According to him, the beneficiaries had a four-day intensive training and had started work on July 8.

    He said the students would get stipends ranging from N10, 000 monthly.

    Samuel said the students would work only on weekends so that the project would not affect their academic activities.

    Their schedule of duty includes retrieving books with cards and sorting retrieved books back to shelves, amongst other duties

  • Contribute to nation building, LASU VC tells students

    Contribute to nation building, LASU VC tells students

    The Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, has challenged Nigerian students to always brainstorm on how to move the country forward.

    Fagbohun spoke at the close of an inter-varsity debate hosted by the LASU Students Union (LASUSU) on Friday in Lagos.

    He urged the students to see themselves as people who could make significant contributions to governance and nation building.

    The Vice Chancellor asked them to take a cue from the newly-elected President of France, Emmanuel Macron, who rose to presidency from a humble beginning.

    “Instead of involving in Aluta all the times, always consider how you can make significant impact in nation building, to propel the country to economic prosperity.

    “Be a global student who is relevant by assisting to achieve sustainable development in the country,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that six universities participated in the debate on ‘Charting Sustainable Development in Nigeria: The Youth Agenda’.

    University of Ibadan (UI) emerged the overall winner with 73.6 per cent and went home with a cash prize of N100,000.

    The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) came second with 65 per cent, taking home a N60,000 cash prize, while Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, came third with 61.5 per cent and got a cash prize of N40,000.

    The host, LASU, came fourth with 61 per cent, winning a cash prize of N20,000, while Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomosho (LAUTECH) won the team spirit award, with a cash prize of N10,000.

    Speaking to NAN after the debate, Mr Dara Olaniyan, a 300 level Law student of UI, said the competition was educative.

    Olaniyan urged other students to participate in subsequent editions, so to acquire more knowledge and be meaningfully engaged.

    “The competition was well planned and organised.

    “Students should engage more in this kind of academic exercise;  several schools were invited but only six eventually showed up,’’ he said.

  • LASU appoints seven new professors, promotes 221 other staff

    LASU appoints seven new professors, promotes 221 other staff

    The Governing Council of the Lagos State University (LASU) has approved the promotion of 228 members of staff of the university.

    According to a statement by Mr Ademola Adekoya, head of the information unit,  on Wednesday in Lagos, the exercise involved 61 academic staff and 167 non- academic staff.

    Adekoya said that seven associate professors were promoted to full professors, 39 senior lectures to associate professors and 9 other lecturers to senior lecturers.

    “Council approved the promotions of a total of 228 members of staff in its 114th statutory meeting held on May 11.

    “The beneficiaries comprised of 61 academic staff and 167 non-academic staff,’’ Adekoya said.

    Adekoya told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that all those elevated have received their promotion letters.

    He said that some junior staff members of the university were promoted in December 2016.

  • SSANU expels 13 members from UNIUYO

    SSANU expels 13 members from UNIUYO

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) on Sunday announced the expulsion 13 of its members in the University of Uyo chapter for allegedly contravening the association’s constitution.

    The National President, Mr Samson Ugwoke, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the 57th quarterly zonal meeting of SSANU western zone held at the Lagos State University (LASU).

    Ugwoke said the expulsion took effect from May 2.

    According to him, the members were expelled for disrespecting the association’s constitution and for giving the school authorities of the university false information about SSANU.

    According to him, the expelled members gave the university authority false information, which led to the association being denied permission  to hold its election in Uyo.

    He said that the erring members had insisted that the electoral committee should use the 2004 or 2011 constitution instead of the amended 2016 document.

    “The recalcitrant members felt they are more than the association by refusing to respect the constituted authority of SSANU.

    “They refused to obey the supremacy of the constitution and also refused to obey the National Executive Council of the association.

    “You cannot be questioning the constitution of an organisation you claim to belong.

    “They were part of the national delegate conference where the constitution was passed ratified.

    “The conference, which hold once in four years, amended the constitution in 2016 while another one is bill to hold in 2019-20, when you can amend a constitution again,” Ugwoke said.

    Earlier, Mr Saheed Oseni, Chairman of LASU-SSANU told the NEC that 44 members of the association that were sacked by former Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof Joseph Obafunwa, have been reinstated.

    He also highlighted some of the achievements of the association to include payment of the 17 months’ salary arrears and the implementation of five-year single tenure for vice chancellor among others.

    He commended the institution’s management, especially the vice chancellor, Prof. Olarewaju Fagbohun for his benevolence towards the staff welfare.

    NAN reports that SSANU Western zone comprises of universities in the western part of the country.

  • Nigeria overdue for restructuring, says Oke

    Chief Joseph Oke, immediate past Chairman, Leventis Group, on Tuesday said that Nigeria was overdue for restructuring.

    Oke spoke during the annual Discovery Lecture series at the Lagos State University (LASU) titled“Can Nigeria survive another century as a corporate entity?’’

    He said that the union could continue for the next one thousand years, but the action or inaction of the government, as well as restructuring, had roles to play in determining this.

    According to him, necessary steps must be taken to prevent it from going the other way.

    Oke said that the present arrangement was lopsided with too much power given to both the Federal and State governments.

    “The Local Government Council, which is the third tier and closest to the grassroots, is a marginalised government.

    “The interest of all minority groups and the issue of derivation must also be addressed.

    “The federation must be restructured to devolve more powers to the states, which must include policing, education, health, road network and security,” he said.

    According to him, if all these are in place, the country will remain as a corporate entity because the grassroots will feel the impact of governance.

    Oke also emphasised the need to diversify from petroleum to areas such as agriculture and agro-based industries, mining, among others.

    He said that government should be consistent in their policies, which should be geared toward improving the lives of the people, while corruption must be eliminated.

    The guest speaker also urged the leaders to be close to the people because it would help to douse the apprehension of the latter.

    He said that the future of the country was in the hands of the people and it has the potential of being great.

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State commended the institution for the intellectual activity.

    Ambode, represented by the Special Adviser on Education, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said the country was at a cross road where issues that separate people in the country should be addressed.

    The governor said that no one was interested in the disintegration of the country and such lectures were timely and necessary.

  • I’ll continue to invest in LASU – Gov. Ambode

    I’ll continue to invest in LASU – Gov. Ambode

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday said his government would continue to invest in physical and social infrastructure in the Lagos State University (LASU).

    Ambode made the promise at the 21st Convocation ceremony of the institution in Lagos.

    “We have many projects nearing completion and these legacy projects when completed, will no doubt, change the entire landscape of the university,” he said.

    Ambode said that a 6000-bed hostel would be delivered for the university as part of the state government’s development plans.

    The governor, however, commended the university management team led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, for his pragmatic approach to administration.

    “The result of your efforts to return LASU to its pride of place amongst the committee of universities is evident for all to see.

    “You have replaced unpleasant news about our institution with fascinating news of all round achievements from both staff and students,” Ambode said.

    He also commended the institution’s management on the accreditation of its School of Dentistry, saying that it was the only state university to have it.

    Ambode urged the graduands to make a difference in their chosen careers.

    Fagbohun had earlier lauded the commitment of Ambode to the institution, asking for his more support.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that awards of Post-graduate Diplomas, Masters in Academic and Professional and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) were conferred on the graduands.

     

  • Best LASU graduating student wrote UTME seven times

    Best LASU graduating student wrote UTME seven times

     

    A pregnant woman, Mrs Elizabeth Orefuwa, the Lagos State University (LASU) best graduating students in 2015/2016, says she wrote the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) seven times before gaining admission.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the heavily pregnant student, graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.74 in Accounting Education.

    Orefuwa, 29, said during the institution’s 21st convocation on Wednesday in Lagos that the journey through the institution did not come easy but with determination and motivation, she had success a story to tell.

    She said that in the process of seeking for university admission, she started a professional career in accounting.

    “The journey through the institution was not easy; it took me seven years of writing the UTME before I finally gained admission in 2012.

    “I also applied for direct entry three times at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

    “During this period of waiting, I started professional career at the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) in 2007 and became qualified as an Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) in 2010,’’Orefuwa told NAN.

    She said that she wanted to study accounting but fate brought her to education, adding that she enjoyed every bit of it and never dreamt of coming out with a first class and becoming the best student.

    According to her, self-determination and motivation through her father’s insisting on academic excellence give her an edge.

    “My aim is to get my first degree certificate after several years of waiting and to satisfy my dad, who has been insisting on academic certificate before professional certificate.

    “He would always say to me then that I have put the cart before the horse.

    “However, what kept me going was self-belief, focus and determination bearing in mind that I am not competing with other but with my own capabilities.’’

    She said that her marriage at the beginning of her final year and the pregnancy condition did not affect her academic performance.

    “I had a CGPA of 4.72 before marriage and I graduated with 4.74 point.

    “I got married during my final year in 2015 and my husband was very supportive throughout that period.’’

    Although a chartered accountant, Orefuwa said she would love to teach and combine it with practising accounting profession.