University of Lagos (UNILAG) Vice Chancellor Prof Rahamon Bello has said two endowments worth N36 million each have been bequeathed to the university by the late Mrs. Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele in her will and testament.
He broke the news yesterday in his convocation address on the second day of the University’s three-day convocation and award ceremony for the 2014/2015 session.
He said: “The two endowments, totalling N72 million, are in form of annual lectures named: Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele Annual Lecture in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Ladipo Mobolaji Abisogun-Afodu Annual Lecture in Pharmacy.”
Bello added that the institution partnered an automobile company, R.T. Briscoe, to build a world standard automobile workshop to provide training for mechanical engineering students.
There is also another partnership with LG Air Conditioning World Wide to train engineering students in the newly established LG Air-Conditioning Academy of the university.
Bello added: “ N50 million was donated by the Lagos State government to the university’s endowment fund to institute the Lagos State Professorial Chair in Tax and Fiscal matters.
“Similarly, an endowment of N52,904,000 was formally presented by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, UBA Group, Mr Phillips Oduoza, to the university towards the resuscitation of the UBA Professorial Chair of Finance.”
The 54-year-old institution, which graduated 2,887 undergraduates from seven faculties yesterday and 2,585 on Tuesday would also graduate 5,435 post graduate students today.
Of the 2,887 graduates of the faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Business Administration, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Engineering, Law, Pharmacy and Distance Learning Institute (DLI), 122 made First Class, 757 Second Class Upper, 1,250 Second Class Lower Division, 490 Third Class, 247 passed with degrees not classified in medical disciplines and pharmacy and 31 Pass degrees.
The Pro-Chancellor, Prof Jerry Gana, congratulated the graduands and urged them to be just and fair leaders.
He said: “You have worked hard to acquire knowledge and skills. Please use them to serve our great nation.
“As you do this, remember the following: add wisdom to knowledge; be light and not darkness.
“Light shines to show the way. Darkness covers to shield destruction. As a graduate of Unilag, shine wherever you are. If it is not right, don’t do it. If it is not true, don’t say it.
“Peace is a product of justice, so ensure fairness and justice in leadership.
“Remember that wisdom is superior to knowledge. We raised you not to be part of the problems of Nigeria but part of the solutions.”