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  • UNILAG hosts international communications festival

    UNILAG hosts international communications festival

    Graduates of Mass Communication under the banner of the Unilag Mass Communication Alumni Association (UMCAA) in conjunction with the University of Lagos are hosting an International Communications Festival from April 16-18 2024.

    The festival which is a homecoming gathering for all graduates of the department will be a fanfare where the town will meet gown to share ideas about improving the communication profession as a way of making the country better. The three-day event will also celebrate the take-off of the department as a faculty after the unbundling of Mass Communication by the federal government.

    According to the President of the Association, Mr Wale Williams, “As the number one mass communication department in Nigeria, we are all coming back home to our alma mater to mingle, share thoughts, celebrate, bring our experience to bear and most importantly, see how best we can continue to support our department which is about to be upgraded. We are determined to join the university in helping our new faculty take off with the highest number of resources that they can get.”

    The festival will witness the second edition of the UMCAA Entrepreneurship Competition where three winning team and their companies will be assisted with funds for business startups, along with three-day exhibitions for products at the department.

    Read Also: Reps seek public-private partnership in healthcare financing

    Furthermore, days one and two will feature two Town meets Gown colloquia per day with the very successful producer Remi Ogunpitan of IBST and Hollywood filmmaker Ose Oyamendan taking the first day. Day two will have a veteran and former Managing Director of Independent Newspapers, Mr Ted Iwere talk about business on the second day and Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency will speak on New Media & National Orientation.

    The third day will host the 6th edition of the Association’s Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) by Mr Simon Kolawole, publisher of The Cable online who will speak on the burning topic ‘The Dilemma between Journalism & Activism’.

    The President of the Association further stated that invitations are being sent to all Communication institutions in Nigeria to join virtually to participate in the lectures

    Students at the department will be offered speed mentoring whereby experienced members of the association will mentor them in different booths on the first two days. The event hopes to reawaken the need to develop the right communication channels for the growth of the nation.

  • UI, UNILAG make top 10 best varsities in Africa

    UI, UNILAG make top 10 best varsities in Africa

    The Times Higher Education has released the 2023 World University rankings across 104 countries and regions.

    Ten African universities have been ranked top in the 2023 list.

    The University of Cape Town ranks number one in the list of African best universities while Stellenbosch University and the University of Witwatersrand rank second and third respectively.

    University of Ibadan comes seventh in Africa while the University of Lagos takes the ninth position.

    Globally, the University of Oxford tops the ranking for the eighth year in a row, but others in the top five have seen shifts in their ranks.

    Read Also: TETFund strategises to boost Nigerian varsities’ rankings

    Harvard University moves up to second place, pushing the University of Cambridge down to third.

    The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 include 1,799 universities, making them the largest and most diverse university rankings to date.

    This year’s ranking analysed over 121 million citations across more than 15.5 million research publications and included survey responses from 40,000 scholars globally.

    Here is a list of Africa’s best Universities

    1. University of Cape Town 

    2. Stellenbosch University 

    3. University of Witwatersrand 

    4. University of Cape Coast 

    5. Aswan University 

    6. Ferhat Abbas Sétif University  

    7. University of Ibadan 

    8. University of KwaZulu-Natal 

    9. University of Lagos 

    10. Muhimbili University 

  • UNILAG best student: Why I wrote my new book

    UNILAG best student: Why I wrote my new book

    The Overall Best Graduating Student at the 54th convocation ceremonies of the University of Lagos(UNILAG) has revealed why he wrote  his newly- launched  book, “Roadmap to 5.0: The Not-so-Hidden Secrets to Academic Success”. DAMOLA KOLA-DARE reports.

    Hard work, undying desire to learn and discipline define David Akanmu, a recent graduate of civil engineering at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), who hit the podium of glory as the overall best student with a perfect 5.0/5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), the fourth in the storied history of the university.

    The UNILAG graduate did not stop at that, he proved his mettle once again with the launch of a book entitled: “Roadmap to 5.0: The Not-so-Hidden Secrets to Academic Success”,  which aims to unearth secrets to reaching the apogee of academic success. The book was launched last week at the Tolu Odugbemi Hall, amid  pomp and ceremony.

    The event attracted well wishers, friends and family,both physically and virtually as they celebrated Akanmu who wants other students to drink from his fountain of knowledge and achieve excellence.

    The keynote speaker, Head of Hydrogen Operations for Shell in North America, who made a virtual presentation from the United States of America, Dr Michael Taiwo, underscored the need for students to make excellence their watchword and imbibe it in their lifestyle.

    Taiwo, himself, a First Class graduate of Chemical Engineering at  Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU)  Ile-Ife, Osun State, enjoined students take education as a sure path to getting to the pinnacle of their career and defeating poverty.

    “If you are not from a privileged background, like many of us, I can tell you that education is your way out of lack and poverty. Embrace it. Commit to it, and do your utmost to finish with the best grades possible. It will lead you to heights unimaginable,” he said.

    The event also featured two separate panel sessions which involved  First Class graduates and best graduating students from different universities across the country. They relived their experiences to academic glory,while also sharing valuable lessons.

    The first panel examined   the topic, “Cracking the Code: Strategies for Maintaining a First-Class CGPA,” while the second looked at “Beyond the Books: The Importance of Holistic Development in Academic Excellence”.

    The President of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations, Engineer Mustafa  Shehu, hailed the writer for putting his thoughts and experiences on paper. He praised him for his brilliance.

    He thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the event, including  his parents  and his project team.

    “It is my most sincere desire that students coming after me, who read this book and apply its lessons to their own journey will not only run, but fly,” he said.

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    On what spurred him to write the book, Akanmu in an interview with The Nation,  said: “The genesis of Roadmap to 5.0: when I was  puzzled over why so many stellar secondary achievers struggled in the university realm. I quickly understood that as a student, I largely benefited from mentors and guides, and this grew in me a passion to share insights on navigating academics with others. But I realised that I was constrained by time and reach leading me to explore other ways to make a sustainable impact. In December 2022, a friend (Sheriff Alaraba) took me on a walk and suggested I write a book about thriving as a student.

    “He noted that while many super-successful students shared their success tips, there was still a lot of work to be done in guiding students who were navigating the Nigerian school system.

    “My goal is to get this book into the hands of young Nigerians, from secondary school students to lower-level undergraduates. I hope that through this work I am able to impact the academic performance of undergraduate students in Nigeria positively.”

    His parents were elated, as their faces beamed bright. The 22-year-old, incidentally was also taught by his father, Prof. James Akanmu of the Civil Engineering Department. He taught him four courses, including Introduction to Civil Engineering (200 Level), Engineers in the Society (200 Level), and 2 Environmental Engineering courses (500 Level).

    With his feat, David has proved that hard work, resilience, determination and discipline are recipe for attaining success.

  • UNILAG’s celebration of academic excellence

    UNILAG’s celebration of academic excellence

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) last week held its 54th convocation amid pomp and ceremony with eminent personalities gracing the occasion which was a celebration of academic excellence, DAMOLA KOLA-DARE reports.

    It was all glamour and display of class and panache as the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, held its 54th convocation last week.

    It began  with the convocation lecture which was expertly delivered by renowned historian Prof. Toyin Falola of the the University of Texas, Austin U.S..

    The don’s lecture  entitled: ‘Decolonising African Higher Education for transformational development’ underscored the need to incorporate African motifs and into university curriculum and relegate our  Eurocentric system of studies.

    The following day,  Tuesday, January 16, and Wednesday, January 17, 2024, the university graduated a total of 17,464 students out of which 10,578 received first degrees.

    No fewer than 340 students bagged first class.

    David Akanmu of  the Faculty of Engineering  emerged the overall best graduating student, with a perfect score of 5.00 CGPA, while Ibrahim Quadri of the Faculty of Management Sciences, with a CGPA of 4.94, was the best graduating student in Humanities.

    At the postgraduate level, a total of 6,886 graduating students received various degrees during the convocation for the Award of Postgraduate Diplomas (PGD), Master Degrees, Doctorate Degrees and Conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees on Thursday, January 18.

    No fewer than 465 graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma, 626 bagged a Master’s degree with 377 distinctions, while 155 were awarded the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in various disciplines.

    The overall Best Ph.D. Thesis Award was won by Aminah Olawunmi Ige (Ph.D. in Mathematics), who also emerged as the Best in Science. Issa Akanji Adedokun  (Ph.D. in Private and Property Law) emerged winner of the Best Ph.D. Thesis Award in the Humanities.

    Visitor to the university, President Bola Tinubu urged the  academia to spearhead cutting-edge research that would bring solutions to the country’s problems. The President challenged the academia to ensure it works diligently to proffer lasting solutions to the myriad of problems affecting the nation.

    Tinubu, who was represented by Education Minister, Tahir Mamman,  noted that fuel  subsidy removal was one of the hardest decisions of this administration, affecting education and other sectors of the economy. He said it led to fee hike which left parents groaning, adding that the pains would be over soon.

    The President described UNILAG as pride of the  nation, and charged the graduates to use knowledge gained to drive the economy, impact the world and compete favourably with their peers.

    He praised the university for creating an environment that fosters growth, critical thinking, inclusivity, and developmental pursuits.

    Tinubu said it was imperative to institute substantial reforms and strategic initiatives to elevate the standard of education across all levels.

    Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, noted that the occasion was a reflection of  the exceptional achievements of the students in all realms of human endeavour.

    He hailed the capacity-building drive of the unversity. He noted that the institution’s commitment to excellence has contributed significantly to the holistic development of its students.

    Chancellor of the university and Sheu of Borno,  Dr Umar Ibn Garba El-Kanemi, congratulated and admonished the graduating class to portray the institution well wherever they may go.

    Read Also: UNILAG graduates inducted into NSE

    Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, stressed the university’s  dedication to staff development through the implementation of various professional development programmes with a view to enhancing their skills.  She said it was imperative to  invest in human capital and engender a culture of continuous learning and development.

     The VC thanked everyone for the numerous awards and donations received by the university  from philanthropic organisations, alumni, and supporters.

    “These accolades and donations would further bolster the university’s mission to provide exceptional education, advance research endeavours, and contribute to societal development,” she said.

    Ige, in her address, thanked God for surviving  and scaling hurdles on the way to her academic success.

    She highlighted the numerous challenges she encountered, including poor health, marital issues and others, but she was committed till the end. She underscored the need to persevere in the face of daunting odds.Ige thanked her family, supervisors, Department of Mathematics, School of Postgraduate Studies, UNILAG, among others.

    The event also saw the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees on the trio of globally acclaimed scholars, Prof. Toyin Falola (Professor of History and Jacob & Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair at the University of Texas, Austin, U.S.); Prof. Phyllis Kanki, DVM (Professor of Immunology at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health in Boston) and Prof. Attahiru Jega (Professor of Political Science and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission: INEC), for their contributions to scholarship and societal development in their various fields.

    Dignitaries included the Acting Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC),  Dr. Chris Maiyaki; Lagos State Commissioner of Tertiary Education, Hon Tolani Sule; General Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church Pastor Tunde Bakare; Vice-Chancellors and representatives of several tertiary institutions such as Lagos State University (LASU); Former UNILAG Vice Chancellors, Prof. Rahamon A. Bello, and Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe; retired staff of UNILAG: Prof. Duro Oni (former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services), Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, Chief Clara Olumide (Former Registrar); Onikogbo of Ikogbo Kingdom, Oba Nurudeen Adebowale Ojosa; staff, alumni as well as friends and families of the graduating students and honorary award recipients, among others.

  • UNILAG graduates inducted into NSE

    UNILAG graduates inducted into NSE

    Three hundred graduates of Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos (UNILAG), have been inducted into Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Lagos branch.

    The induction and oath taking was presided over by NSE President, Margaret Oguntola, represented by Vice President, Felicia Agubata.

    Mrs. Oguntola commended UNILAG for producing over 500 engineers in 2023. She also hailed the Lagos branch of NSE, led by Adekunle Bello, for catching them young.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Bus conveying UNILAG convocation gown vandalised

    She said: “I am passionate about catching them young, and I believe this branch has done the right thing with this.”

    President of the faculty’s Alumni Association, Dideolu Falobi, who spoke on ‘The Role of Engineers in Politics and Nation Building’, urged the inductees to be focused.

    Falobi urged them to have the right attitude to life and understand Rome was not built in a day. He advised them to be patient if they want to achieve excellence.

    He donated N100,000 to the best graduating student and promised to make it an annual gesture from the alumni association.

  • JUST IN: Bus conveying UNILAG convocation gown vandalised

    JUST IN: Bus conveying UNILAG convocation gown vandalised

    A bus conveying the University of Lagos (UNILAG) post-graduate academic gowns, which were paid for and scheduled for distribution to the graduating students, have been stolen, The Nation has learnt. 

    The institution holds its 54th convocation ceremony this week with a total of 340 graduands to be awarded first-class degree certificates.

    The Nation gathered that graduates were mandated to pay the sum of N15,000 for the collection of the gowns.

    Many of the students, who were scheduled to collect their academic gowns, expressed frustration in the inability of the school to provide the gowns after a long wait.  

    The management of the university School of Post-Graduate Studies (SPGS) in a terse text message and mail sent to post-graduate students said: “Dear graduate, we regret to inform you that the distribution of SPGS academic gowns is now suspended.

    Read Also: UNILAG graduates 340 first class students

    “Sadly, the remaining gowns were stolen, and our bus vandalised this afternoon.”

    Reacting, a lawyer, Malachy Odo, also said he received the same notice from the school via test messages after he had paid the levy meant for the collection of the gown.

    “I paid 15k for convocation gown yesterday and this is what UNILAG just sent me. This country is not a real place,” he wrote on X.

  • UNILAG graduates 340 first class students

    UNILAG graduates 340 first class students

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) will graduate  340  first class students at its 54th convocation.

    Speaking at a news conference to announce activities lined up for the ceremony in Akoka, Lagos, its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, noted that on January 16, and 17, the university would be graduating 17,464 students of which 10,578 would receive first degrees, while 6,886 others would be honoured with the postgraduate degrees.

    She said David Akanmu of  the Faculty of Engineering had emerged the overall best graduating student, with a perfect score of 5.00 CGPA, while Ibrahim Quadri of the Faculty of Management Sciences, with a CGPA of 4.94, is the best graduating student in Humanities.

    Ogunsola said of  the total number of graduating students, a total of 3,374, would be conferred with the Second Class Upper degrees, while 4,547 others would be  in the Second Class lower division.

    “We have 1,832 others graduating in the 3rd Class division, 188 with Pass and 250 others with unclassified degrees from the Faculties of Pharmacy, Basic and Clinical Sciences,” she said.

    Speaking further, the VC explained that of the 6,886 postgraduate degrees, a total of 465 would be awarded postgraduate diplomas, 6,266 are graduating with Master’s, out of which 377 bagged distinctions.

    Read Also: Shaibu: I’m deeply hurt Obaseki is supporting Ighodalo instead of me

    “Most exciting is that 31 of the Master’s degree graduates are international students, all with MSc degrees, who were supported by World Bank grant through the African Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development and Regulatory Science (ACEDHERS).

    “The centre Director, Dr Bola Ademilua, together with her team, worked extremely hard, to achieve this.

    “This is the first time we will have such a harvest of international students at one convocation in the history of this university and this further reiterates and validates the aggressive internationalisation drive of this administration and previous administrations.

    “This year too, 155 graduands will be awarded the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in various disciplines. The overall best Ph.D. Thesis award for this year, which is also the best PhD in the Sciences, goes to Aminat Olawunmi Ige, with a Ph.D. in Mathematics.

    “The best Ph.D in the Humanities goes to Issa Akanji Afedokun, with a Ph.D. in Private and Property Law,” she said.

    Ogunsola said the University of Lagos Business School would be graduating its first set of students as an autonomous school for the first time this year.

    She said in repositioning the business school to be more globally competitive, management unbundled it from the School of Postgraduate Studies.

    “So, it now has its own recognised certificate. A total of 62 students will be graduating from the Business School this year and the overall best graduating student is Abiola Oluyemisi Itakpe, with a CGPA of 4.84. She obtained the Master’s of Business Administration,” she said.

    Ogunsola said no fewer than four visually challenged students would graduate.

    Speaking further on the activities lined up for the ceremony, Ogunsola stated that there would be a special Jumat service on Friday, January 12 at the institution’s Central Mosque.

  • UNILAG to graduate 340 first class students at 54th convocation

    UNILAG to graduate 340 first class students at 54th convocation

    The University of Lagos says a total of 340 students will be graduating with first class at its 54th convocation scheduled for Jan. 17.

    The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, disclosed this at a news conference to announce activities lined up for the ceremony on Wednesday, in Lagos.

    According to her, the 340 are among the overall 17,464 students that will graduate during the period.

    She noted that David Akanmu, from the Faculty of Engineering, had emerged the overall best graduating student, with a perfect score of 5.00 CGPA.

    According to her, Ibrahim Quadri of the Faculty of Management Sciences, with a CGPA of 4.94, is the best graduating student in Humanities.

    Giving a breakdown of statistics of the overall graduating students, Ogunsola noted that 10,578 of them would receive first degrees, while 6,886 others, would be honoured with the postgraduate degrees.

    The don further explained that of the 340 that would be honoured with the first class degree, a total of 97 of them are from Management Sciences, with 57 from the Faculty of Science.

    She added that 47 others are from the Faculty of Engineering.

    Ogunsola said there were 39 distinctions from the Faculties of Pharmacy, Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Sciences,

    “Of the total number of distinctions posted, 24 of them were from the Faculty of Pharmacy.

    “Furthermore, from the total number of graduating students, a total of 3,374, will be conferred with the Second Class upper degrees, while 4,547 others will be admitted in the Second Class lower division.

    “We have 1,832 others graduating in the 3rd Class division, 188 with Pass and 250 others with unclassified degrees from the Faculties of Pharmacy, Basic and Clinical Sciences,” she stated.

    Speaking further, the vice chancellor noted that of the 6,886 postgraduate degrees, a total of 465 would be awarded postgraduate diplomas, 6,266 are graduating with Masters, out of which 377 posted distinctions.

    Read Also: Reps Speaker Abbas set to commission Femi Gbajabiamila Hall in UNILAG

    “Most exciting is that 31 of the Master’s degree graduates are international students, all with MSc degrees, who were supported by World Bank grant through the African Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development and Regulatory Science (ACEDHERS).

    “The centre Director, Dr Bola Ademilua, together with her team, worked extremely hard, to achieve this.

    “This is the first time we will have such a harvest of international students at one convocation in the history of this university and this further reiterates and
    validates the aggressive internationalisation drive of this administration and previous administrations.

    “This year too, 155 graduands will be awarded the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in various disciplines. The overall best Ph.D. Thesis award for this year, which is also the best PhD in the Sciences, goes to Aminat Olawunmi Ige, with a Ph.D. in Mathematics.

    “The best Ph.D in the Humanities goes to Issa Akanji Afedokun, with a Ph.D. in Private and Property Law,” she said.

    According to her, the university of Lagos Business School will be graduating its first set of students as an autonomous school for the first time this year.

    Ogunsola noted that in repositioning the business school to be more globally competitive, management had unbundled it from the School of Postgraduate Studies.

    “So, it now has its own recognised certificate. A total of 62 students will be graduating from the Business School this year and the overall best graduating student is Abiola Oluyemisi ITAKPE, with a CGPA of 4.84. She obtained the Master of Business Administration.

    “Let me seize this opportunity to thank members of Senate, staff and all stakeholders for their commitment and loyalty to UNILAG despite the challenges of last year.

    “The University recorded many significant wins despite our challenges, especially successes in the quality and quantum of research and grants, improved collaborations and partnerships with other universities and industry within and outside Nigeria, as well as exchange programmes for staff and students,” she stated.

    Ogunsola said that no fewer than four visually challenged students were among the graduands.

    The vice chancellor stated that in pursuance of the ‘FUTURE READY AGENDA’ of the institution, management had made firm strides in growing its finances, infrastructure, reputation and manpower, adding that 2023 was one of consolidation, seed sowing and growth.

    Speaking further on the activities lined up for the ceremony, Ogunsola stated that there would be a special Jumat service on Friday, Jan. 12 at the institution’s Central Mosque.

    She said that there would be the opening of an exhibition on Monday, Jan. 15, to showcase and celebrate inventions and innovative ideas of students and faculty members.

    “There will be no commissioning of projects at this convocation, as the commissioning of the new 484 bed hostel donated by Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila was commissioned on Jan. 3, by the Hon. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

    “At 12:00 noon on same day, the Convocation Lecture titled: ‘Decolonizing African Higher Education for Transformational Development’ will be delivered by Prof. Toyin Falola a distinguished professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin U.S..

    “Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Chairman of Tanus and one of the most successful Managing Directors of Daily Times and former Pro-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (O.A.U) will chair the occasion.

    “The congregation for the award of first degrees, diplomas, certificates, and prizes to graduating students across all faculties and the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), will take place in morning and afternoon sessions, on Tuesday, Jan. 16 and Wednesday, Jan. 17.

    “On Thursday, Jan. 18, Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters, and Ph.D. degrees including DBA and EMBA will be conferred on graduates of the School of Postgraduate Studies and the University of Lagos Business School (ULBS),” she stated.

    The vice chancellor noted that the highlight of the ceremony would be the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of personalities who had distinguished themselves by significantly contributing to scholarship and societal development in various fields.

    She said that this year’s ceremony would witness the award of degrees to three of such persons, including Prof. Toyin Falola, Phyllis Kanki,  a professor of Immunology at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health in Boston.

    Ogunsola said that Kanki was the first person to isolate HIV2 which causes a milder form of AIDS that was more commonly found in West Africa.

    “She has contributed significantly to Medical Education, HIV research and building research capacity across Nigeria, and Africa.

    “Also to be honoured is Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, a professor of Political Science, a sound intellectual, an astute administrator with a strong sense of ethics, who revolutionized Nigeria’s electoral process and conducted an internationally acclaimed free and fair election,” she said.

    (NAN)

  • VC: UNILAG has made steady progress, despite harsh economy

    VC: UNILAG has made steady progress, despite harsh economy

    • By Tosin Odunewu, UNILAG

    Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, has said despite the inclement economic climate and many disruptions, her administration since assumption of office on November 14, last year has made steady progress.

     The VC also highlighted staff housing, funding and security as some challenges confronting the university.

    Ogunsola spoke at a media parley at the Senate Chamber of the university last week.

    She said:  “We were determined to push forward to ensure that the university could grow and deliver on its mandate of teaching, research and service through the Future-ready agenda that is encapsulated by the four pillars of growth: Growing the Finance, Growing the infrastructure, Growing the Reputation and Growing the Manpower (FIRM).

    “This last year was one of consolidation, seed sowing and growth which we have achieved by building on our strengths, strengthening and developing new partnerships and facilitating the creativity and initiatives of staff and students. We have been putting in place the building blocks to make UNILAG Future-Ready.”

    She noted that the institution was recently selected as one of the  beneficiaries of a professorial Chair Endowment Fund worth N30 million by the National Communications Commission (NUC).

     The VC said the endowment would enhance research activities and improve the quality of “industry-ready” graduates produced by the university in telecommunications and Social Sciences, areas that greatly impact the activities of the commission and Telecoms industry.

    On improving the institution’s revenue, she said: “It is clear that we need to have new ways of generating revenue to meet our financial obligations. The raising of the obligatory fees was a difficult but necessary decision that had been taken even before the subsidy removal. This was to reduce the growing deficit. The fees still mean that the university can continue to subsidise  the education.

    “As at today, over 32,778, undergraduate students have registered in both Akoka and Idi-Araba and I am glad to state that as we promised, no student has dropped out because of the increase in obligatory fees.To date, 765 indigent students have benefitted from various student support schemes including scholarships to cover obligatory fees, Adopt-an-Akokite, free meal ticket per day and work study.”

    Ogunsola said efforts at advancing contributions to industry development culminated in the strengthening of  its collaboration with Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office (NNHO). This, she said,  resulted in the Senate-approved Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Hydrographic Surveying.

    Read Also: Akeredolu was a patriot, Mimiko mourns

    She also noted that the institution also partnered with  the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) in Disaster Management to train the UNILAG Fire Service personnel, adding that with input from industry through this collaboration,  the  curriculum of the Masters in Disaster Management (MDM) had been redesigned.

    Ogunsola said Havillah Group publishing company, which donated books worth N20million to the university, was the first private organisation to reach out to her administration, adding that Total Energies also donated laboratory and fieldwork equipment for training Geoscience students to understand and interpret ditch cuttings and mud logs obtained from wells during drilling operations.

    The  VC said the university commenced comprehensive infrastructure upgrade and rehabilitation of Mariere hall, and the renovated structure would be available for occupation by January 2024.

    “More limited renovations were carried out in 7 hostels, (Moremi, Fagunwa, Jaja, Makama Bida and Eni Njoku, Amina and Biobaku Hostels.). The rooms, windows, nettings, doors, ceilings, floor tiles, toilets are being repaired. The rebuilding of block G of Moremi Hall is on-going and work has also started on the rehabilitation of the Honors Hostel. Both renovated halls should be ready in 2024,” she said.

    She noted that funding remains a challenge to optimising quality education delivery, but management would  not relent in boosting its finances.

    Regarding security on campus, she said: “We  are beginning to experience unprecedented threats to the security of university property. This year, we experienced incessant attacks on university property but I will say that the combined efforts of our security agents and the Nigerian Police have helped to stem the tide. We will continue to ensure that we keep our campuses safe.”

  • UNILAG VC, others hail don on appointment

    UNILAG VC, others hail don on appointment

    • By Tosin Odunewu, UNILAG

    The Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos,(UNILAG) Prof. Folasade Ogunsola,  dignitaries from all walks  of life, friends and family have extolled the virtues  of Prof. Azeez Butali who was  appointed as an Endowed Professor at the University of Iowa, U.S.A, where he  works as Dental Scientist.

    The Endowed Professorship is the highest  rank the university can bestow on an academic.

    Speaking at a celebration party in Lagos  to honour Butali, Ogunsola lauded him as one with a large heart and a worthy  UNILAG alumnus who has achieved several feats in his profession and impacted lives in the institution.

    She noted that the honour bestowed  on him was  a testament that possibilities abound to anyone no matter the colour or circumstances, if only the person can dream and develop the right mindset towards achieving his or her goal.

    “Prof. Butali has a large heart and is a shining example of our alumni and Nigeria at large, and I am proud of your achievement. You are an inspiration to us all, and as the mother of the day, I have adopted you as my son,” she said.

    Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo also hailed Butali for his contributions to the medical field.

     “Butali has contributed significantly to the medical profession in Nigeria. He is a fellow of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria and for you to become a fellow you must have contributed immensely to the sector and recognised in the diaspora as well and this honour befits you,” he said.

    Read Also: Adegbulugbe appointed JABU Chancellor

    President of Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Amb. Queen Blessing Ebigieson  described the don as a rare breed and someone that has excelled beyond  medical profession. She noted that his  philanthropic and selfless qualities had initially endeared him to her when she reached out to him for  support for her foundation.

    Ebigieson added that Butali deserved to be a leader in the political sphere where he would  be able to make far-reaching reforms and impact more lives.     

     The honoree noted that he was a product of the investment of his father, Alhaji Chief Ibrahim Butali prioritisd education and told him and his siblings that education was their only inheritance.

     Butali who thanked  guests, said education is an investment that will ultimately yield many fruits and urged the federal and state governments to pay more attention to the education sector, adding that experiential knowledge should be added to the course of knowledge in secondary schools as this would expose students to the practical aspect of  things learnt in class.