The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LASU

  • MOE partners LASU on environmental regeneration

    MOE partners LASU on environmental regeneration

    Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, has said the Ministry  was set to partner Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, on environmental management and sustainability through its Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development (CESSED).

    Adejare made this known during a courtesy call on LASU Vice Chancellor, Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun. He was accompanied by some top ministry officials.

    According to him, it has become necessary for the academia to be involved in finding solutions to societal problems, particularly in the environment sector. He stressed that LASU must be made to realise the vision of its founders, which was to profer solutions to problems in the society.

    “The gown had driven development in notable places like Boston, Harvard and Lancaster; this obviously is not beyond us, we too can make our own LASU drive development in Lagos State,” Adejare noted, assuring that a committee would soon be set up to steer the affairs and birth of the planned partnership.

    Fagbohun, while receiving the team, explained that CESSED was conceptualised as a think- tank for the state Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in the area of pollution control and management, and that the centre would be more willing to fulfil that vision now that the Ministry of the Environment was offering the partnership.

    He, therefore, called for a major environmental summit to kick start the relationship, stressing that he could not wait to see students becoming consistent advocates of various laudable initiatives of state in environmental management.

  • ASUU to Ambode: Save LASU before it collapses

    Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who is the Visitor to the Lagos State University (LASU), to save the institution from imminent collapse by calling on the Vice Chancellor, Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun to comply with the laws governing the institution.

    The union alleged that Fagbohun was aiding corruption by frustrating attempts to probe the alleged mismanagement of N1.3 billion NEEDS Assessment Fund (2013) allocation to the university under the immediate past administration.

    The union’s Coordinator, Lagos Zone, Prof. Olusiji Sowande, who addressed areporters in LASU on Tuesday, urged the government to  implement the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Act, which the union signed with the Federal Government in 2009.

    At present, the unions said the Universities Miscellaneous (Provisions Act] 2009 as amended in 2012 and last year, in and known as LASU Law, allows members in the professorial cadre to retire at 70, recommends a single tenure of five years for vice chancellors. The union is, however, worried that the part that affects other top principals in the university were excluded. The union said it suspected management’s plan of renewing the appointments of top principals since that aspect had not yet been amended

    ‘’The (Universities Miscellaneous) law stipulates that the Registrar, Bursar and Librarian shall have a single term of five years; yet LASU continues to run a renewable tenure which is no doubt a potential flashpoint likely to heat up the polity sooner than later as other principal officers of the university conclude their tenure in May,2018,’’ ASUU said.

    Fagbohun also accused of refusing to appoint a Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), 18 months since he assumed duties in flagrant disregard of the LASU Law 2014 in Schedule 1  (Section 4{1).

    ‘’Professor Fagbohun has taken the quest for totalitarian powers to such a height that his decision of the Governing Council are now implemented in breach: One case is the decision of Council on the new conditions and scheme of service for junior and Senior members of staff adopted since Thursday, October 20,2006 at its 112th statutory meeting where it stated that the university administration should do the final editorial work within three week; but the question is: ‘are the three weeks still ongoing since October 2016 till date?’’’

    In his response however, management described the union’s allegations as untrue.

    The university’s Acting Head Information Unit Martin Adekoya said the administration had been most complaint with Council’s directive since it came on board in January, last year.

    “Let me tell you that those allegations are not true,” Adekoya told our reporter on the phone on Tuesday.

    He continued: “When Council gives a directive to management, do not forget that management will still has to delegate that responsibility, perhaps through committees or some organs that will report back to it. In the end, management will still report to the Council on what it has done about the directive so far.

    “Let me also say some of the academic staff are part of the Council. So, if management failed to comply with a directive, what have those members done at the level of the Council to ensure the management complies?

    “On the five-year single term for other principal officers, let me say categorically that there is no official paper or document backing that for now.

    “I remember that during the immediate past administration, ASUU lobbied its way to the Lagos State House of Assembly to agitate for one single term of five years for vice chancellor which was eventually approved by the governor. If they (ASUU) want same for other principals, they should return to the House of Assembly, which has the statutory right to grant their request by amending that aspect of LASU Law; and until that is done, those serving in that capacity now are still eligible to contest.”

  • LASU external system processes outstanding results

    Lagos State University (LASU), said it has graduated over 70 per cent of students in its External System.  The university has also embarked on processing the results of other categories of students, who may have completed their programmes, but are yet to graduate, owing to one reason or the other.

    A statement by the university’s Acting Head, Public Relations, Ademola Adekoya, appealed to students in this category to link up with the Directorate of the External System, either in person or visit the designated website: http://studentservices.lasu.ng/lasues_makeup/ for registration. The deadline for online registration for the examination is tomorrow.

    The university’s external learning system, according to the statement,  has concluded arrangements to conduct make-up examinations for all courses yet to be passed by students or students with outstanding/missing results. The examination, which commenced on Saturday June 8, will end on  Saturday July 15 at the university’s main campus. Affected students are to visit the university website for the breakdown, the statement added.

  • LASU appoints seven professors

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

    A statement yesterday by Mr. Ademola Adekoya, head of Information Unit, said the exercise involved 61 academic staff and 167 non-academic staff.

    He said seven associate professors were promoted to full professors, 39 senior lectures to associate professors and nine lecturers to senior lecturers.

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

    He said junior workers were promoted last December.

  • MSSN honours UNILAG, LASU, LASPOTECH first class graduates

    MSSN honours UNILAG, LASU, LASPOTECH first class graduates

    LAGOS State Area Unit of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has honoured 35 students that bagged first class and distinction from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the Lagos State University (LASU) and the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH).

    The students were given plaques and cash at the ceremony held at Shamsi Adisa Hall at the Old Secretariat, in Ikeja GRA.

    MSSN President Dr Saheed Ashafa said the students were honoured to show that academic excellence deserved more prominence than social activities.

    He deployed what he called the lackadaisical attitude of the Fedral and state governments towards in academic excellence.

    Ashafa criticised the government for not recognising outstanding young scholars during it celebration of Lagos @50.

    He said: “As a student-based organisation, no activity can be better promoted than having a scrupulous interest in celebrating academic excellence. Since the society we found ourselves has been grossly engulfed in frivolities and celebration of mediocrity, we are left with no option than to take up the responsibility of showcasing the brains among us who are not deterred by the apparent denial that has taken over the society.

    “We are all living witnesses to the mouth-watering monetary encouragement, material gifts and accolades given to the winners and participants of the just-concluded Big Brother Nigeria Reality TV Show. This is despite that majority agree that the show does not only corrupt our moral values but also sends a dangerous signal that academic excellence and hardwork are no more prerequisites to success.

    “Painfully, some other shows that promote indecency, laziness and the get-rich mentality among our youths also have sponsorships and endorsements from both local and multinational companies. I need not mention them because we already know them! Yet, academic competitions and excellent performance by students receive peanuts from the society. What an irony!”

    Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs Dr Abdulhakeem Abdullateef urged the honorees to get to the peak of their academic career.

    He warned them not to change the winning strategy, adding: “A successful life does not come by chance. If you put a lot of hard work in what you do, you’ll get the result. You must join in taking appropriate steps so as to make the economy sound.”

    The commissioner urged them to mentor other Muslim students and use their knowledge to contribute to the society.

    “Do not forget Allah in whatever you do. You can attain nothing without Allah. You are part of the MSSN Lagos success story. Of what use is first class without contributing positively to the development of the society. You have to make sure your impact is felt,” he added.

    Lagos State Muslim Community Chairman Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi described the students as worthy representatives of Islam, who are worthy of emulation.

    Prof Gbadamosi, represented by Dr Maruf Animashaun, said: “You have made us proud and do not relent. This is a good feat and you deserve more celebration. I commend the organisers of this event for celebrating excellence”.

    Responding on behalf of the honorees, Azeez Ejire, former Students Union President of LASPOTECH, said the award would encourage them to do more.

  • Key into digitization – Don Charges

    Key into digitization – Don Charges

    Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University, on Monday advised undergraduates to seek deeper knowledge of Information Technology (IT) to attain success in the modern world.

    Fagbohun gave the advice during the matriculation of 1,112 ‎ LASU students for Sandwich Degree Programme for 2016/2017 academic session.

    The vice chancellor was represented by his deputy in charge of academics, Prof. Noah Olumuyiwa.

    “If you do not key into digitisation, you will lose out.

    “The modern world revolves around IT,’’ he said, adding that computer literacy would give a graduate an edge above his counterparts.
    ‎

    The vice chancellor also advised to the students to desist from indecent dressing, cultism, examination malpractice and other vices.

    According to him, the university will not tolerate ‎them.

    ‎“Punctuality to class must be your business; be objective, have decorum and always think of LASU because it is the brand we sell.

    “‎We must collectively market the brand to succeed,’’ he said.

    Prof. Clement Fasan, Dean, Faculty of Education, congratulated the students and gave the assurance that their results would not be delayed.

    “We have cleared a backlog of part-time students’ results,’’ he said.

    According to him, the school’s ‎system has been digitised, enabling uploading of results online.

    Fasan also assured the students that they would register with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) immediately after graduation.

    ‎‎Dr Olufemi Obayori, the Acting Dean, Students Affairs, LASU, urged the students to be careful in their associations.

    According to Obayori, there are indications that sandwich programme is a recruitment ground for cultists.

    “This is because some candidates for sandwich programme are mature individuals, dropouts or graduates of other institutions,’’ he said.

    He warned that LASU would not hesitate to expel students involved in cultism, rape, armed robbery and other criminal activities.

    Dr Abosede Oyediji of the LASU Counselling Unit urged the students to seek advice on academic and other issues when necessary.
    ‎
    Oyediji noted that many sandwich students struggled to cope with academics, family life and work pressure.

    “So, you need a counsellor to guide and encourage you,’’ he said.

    Dr Shola Oladipupo, Acting Director, Sandwich Programme, LASU, also urged the students to seek guidance at all times.

     

  • Honour for Okebukola, others at LASU convocation

    When former National Universities Commission (NUC) Executive Secretary Prof Peter Okebukola, stepped forward to receive the Lagos State University (LASU) Distinguished Professor’s Award at the insitution’s 21st convocation last week, he was not only making history as the first to be so honoured, he was simply fulfilling destiny.

    Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos who called him out also revealed that   Okebukola is the son of a police officer.

    Oba Akiolu said Okebukola’s father  was a cadet officer under him. This was when the monarch was a police officer, before providence made him a first class monarch. The award was first of its kind in the history of the 34-year-old institution and Okebukola was the first to be honoured with it.

    Eulogising Okebukola, Oba Akiolu said he would have turned down the invitation to attend the event, but when he realised that Okebukola was to be honoured, he got more interested in it. According to him,  he was invited by one of his chiefs.

    ”When one of my chiefs in Lagos invited me (to LASU), I was initially glad to be here, but when he mentioned that Peter Okebukola was to be honoured, I became more interested,” he said.

    The monarch recalled his relationship with Okebukola’s father: “And this is food for thought for us all, that prayer and dedication pay. His (Okebukola’s) father worked under me as a cadet officer. He was very prayerful and highly disciplined.

    “He was an elderly person and older than me; yet he was very humble. He descended so low in his relationship with me. He would say to me every morning: ‘Oga, let us pray’

    “He always believed in prayers and thought good of everybody. I remember he once told me that I would be the Inspector-General, but I rejected it because I do not want anybody to start dictating to me on what to do. And this is why I usually say that every nation gets the police it deserves.

    “Who would have known that the son of a common police officer would rise to become a distinguished professor today?”

    Looking straight into Okebukola’s eyes, the monarch said: “It’s about 20 years last that I set my eyes on you . That is why I chose to be here to see you. It’s unfortunate that your father is now late. I wish he were still alive to see the results of those prayers then.”

    Okebukola, a former LASU Acting VC and a professor of Science Education, was honoured with two other philanthropists – Chairman, Premier Lotto, Chief Kessington Adebutu (a.k.a Baba Ijebu) and Executive Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil Limited, Mrs Folorunsho Alakija.

    Earlier, both the Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor of the university, Justice Adesola Oguntade (rtd) and Prof Adebayo Ninalowo, lauded Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for remaining committed to his promise of improving infrastructure in LASU.

    “Your Excellency, we want to especially thank you for matching your words with action. It would be recalled that at the 20th Convocation last year, you gave us your word to invest massively in our university, with a proviso of sustenance of peace and stability,” Ninalowo said.

    Ambode recalled that the only connection he had with Okebukola  was that the professor once taught his (Ambode’s) wife as an undergraduate in LASU.

    Earlier, Governor Ambode thanked LASU’s management for changing the negative impression people have about the school to fascinating stories.

    He said he was in the university for the second time, after its 20th Convocation last year, to do an assessment of works done so far.

    He particularly thanked members of staff and the  unions for engaging in dialogue to ensure peace.

    According to him, his administration would not relent in attracting more facilities and innovations to the school.

    He challenged the management to move beyond its status as the best state university in Nigeria by the NUC’s assessment to be one of the best three in the country by 2020, and the preferred university of choice by 2023.

    Ambode said one of his government’s ongoing project is the public-private partnership to deliver 6000 bed-space hostel to the school.

    ‘It’s worthy to mention that Lagos State University effectively hosted and provided necessary facilities for the training of final year students across our tertiary institutions in the state during the 13-week intensive training tagged: “Ready, set, work”

    “This initiative is targeted at raising future world-class entrepreneurs and captains of industries from our students. Since this is a continuous programme, I want our students to take this seriously because it is not an opportunity that is available elsewhere,” he said.

  • LASU’s best graduating student delivers baby girl

    LASU’s best graduating student delivers baby girl

    It was double joy for Mrs Elizabeth Orefuwa, the overall best graduating student of the Lagos State University, Ojo, as she was delivered of a baby girl barely a day after graduating.

    Orefuwa graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.74 at the university’s 21st convocation held on March 22.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), 36,540 students were conferred with degrees, diploma and doctorate while 26 made first class.

    An ecstatic Orefunwa, said she felt the contraction just before the convocation and was scared if the baby would deny her the opportunity of participating in the graduation.

    “I was having contraction and was scared that the baby might come before the convocation. I told God to take control because I wanted to experience the convocation and God took control until I got home.

    “It was when I got home that it started again and my husband took me to the hospital where I gave birth at about 1. 00 p.m. on Thursday,’’ Orefuwa told NAN.

    Reliving her experience, 29-year-old Orefuwa said she had yet to come terms with the reality of becoming a mother.

    Earlier, she told NAN during the institution’s convocation on Wednesday that the journey through the school did not come easy but with determination and motivation, she had a good story to tell.

    “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 qualified as an Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) in 2010,’’Orefuwa said.

    She said that she wanted to study accounting but found herself studying 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 insistence on academic excellence gave 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.”

    She said that her marriage in the final year and the pregnancy 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 in 2016 and my husband was very supportive.”

    A chartered accountant, Orefuwa, said she would love to combine teaching with practising accounting profession.

  • LASU gives part-time jobs to students

    The Lagos State University (LASU) students can now take up part-time job, while they pursue their academic careers. Thanks to the job scheme initiated by management to alleviate the financial burden on indigent students in paying their fees.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Lanre Fagbohun, said the job scheme would also give students opportunities to acquire skills that would prepare them for employment after their graduation. He said the aim was to create platforms for students to make legitimate money, while studying.

    The school has announced the first phase of job schemes, which would allow students to be employed as workers in the school library. Students are expected to work for a few hours at various offices and earn wages that would be enough to sustain them through the session. The school is in partnership with the Students’ Union.

    Prof Fagbohun said: “The LASU we are building is one that will become the best university in Africa and part of the things we are doing is to ensure our students learn skills as undergraduates. The part-time job is part of the schemes to equip students with skills that turn around their lives positively. We are looking at other possible areas where our students can learn, work and earn legitimately.”

    Management directed all interested students to send applications to the librarian.

    Praising the management, Students’ Union president, Olawale Kappo, said the scheme would alleviate the challenges of indigent students.

  • ‘Plans for LASU Alumni Centre is on course’

    ‘Plans for LASU Alumni Centre is on course’

    Cecil Esekhaigbe, a retired Major General, is the National President of the Lagos State University Alumni Association. In this interview with ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, Esekhaigbe, who also bagged a doctorate degree from LASU, speaks about the proposed multi-million naira Alumni Centre, among other sundry issues.

    How long have you been in the  saddle as the President?

    Well we are currently running our second term. We were re-elected June last year for another three-year period.

    Lagos State University Alumni Association is planning to have its Alumni Centre. What efforts have you put in place to achieve this?

    We have set up a fundraising committee, comprising members with integrity and goodwill in their own right. During the forthcoming fundraising, which we are yet to announce the date, we are going to reach out to individuals and groups who have the knack for giving. Soon, a committee would be inaugurated and members will roll out their plans.

    What is left is the need for transparency because prospective donors want to know what you want to do with the money they are giving you. That is why we are insisting on having the architectural drawing and the bill of quantity, which is almost ready before the launching proper. The architectural drawing, which we have now put on our various (whatssup) platforms, is to sensitise the public of what we intend to come up with.

    The idea of having a bill of quantity is that it is not everything that will be monetised. We are looking for individuals that will say let me give you a trailer-load of cement or roofing sheets and all that. Therefore, the bill of quantity will give you the idea of what is required to do the project.

    By and large, with the cooperation of the branches, meaningful progress will be achieved.

    What has been your experience as president of the alumni association of a university once reputed for violence and industrial crisis?

    Well it’s about leadership and vision. If you recall in recent past, LASU used to experience all sorts of crises either from the angle of government, management, students or various unions. The question of winner-takes-all used to be a big issue. The unions were not ready to give in and often ending in protracted crisis. But the new leadership has a very clear vision; it has a dream to take LASU to greater heights. Above all, there are now constructive engagements between LASU management, and other stakeholders. This is where the alumni have come in as a stabiliser. So, the give and take culture is being restored and the university now enjoys a crisis-free ambience.

    LASU alumni suddenly sprang up under your leadership. Should we attribute this to your exceptional leadership style?

    Without giving the full credit to myself, I think there has been a renewed passion for the development of LASU by some  concerned members. The BoT (Board of Trustee) chairman, myself and others are championing this cause. The difference between the alumni before and now is that unlike the attitude of certain people, who feel the alumni has to do with what they could profit from it, we believe its about what we can all give back to our university.

    How profiting is the relationship between LASU management and the alumni?

    I’m happy to tell you that the results are already manifesting. If you see, the National Universities Commission (NUC) rates LASU as one of the best 20 universities nationwide. This is as a result of responsive leadership, which has also given peace a chance.

    What did the alumni do to address undergraduates with various financial, physical or emotional challenges?

    If you have been following our various (whatssup) platforms, you will realise we are not resting on our oars. Whenever we see the need to fill a gap, we promptly rise to the task, especially by putting such information on the platform for our undergraduates and other alumni members to quickly tap into.

    We have organised series of sensitisation workshops for our students. Very recently a 500-Level undergraduate of Medicine suffered a health challenge and the alumni were at the forefront of mobilising funds for his treatment in India.

    At the Tony Elumelu lecture in November 2016, we mobilised our members, especially the current students to ensure that they see a clearer picture of what the future looks like and how to gird their lions ahead of graduation.

    How many branches has your association and do you have a database of members?

    The alumni is collating members’ database now. The one we had before was not elaborate and with more branches of the alumni springing up in Lagos, Abuja, United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), and Canada, there is need for expansion.

    Right now, we have commenced registration of these branches so that we can have enough data to create the base. In a very short while, we will all see a database that will offer more exhaustive information on members and the alumni activities.

    Very recently, we set up the Lagos Committee. We also have a mobilisation committee and one of its functions is to be able to mobilise more members that will form the nucleus of this database.