… as Marwa, Pedro, Olagunju bag LASU’s Doctorate Degrees Award
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, emphasised the need for Nigerian leaders to ensure that the nation’s educational system remains relevant and effective in providing innovative solutions to real-life problems.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, laid this emphasis at the 28th Convocation Ceremony of Lagos State University (LASU) and (Award of Doctorate Degrees and Conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees) of 11,917 grandaunts held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, LASU, Ojo, Lagos.
ALSO READ: Marwa, Pedro, Olagunju bag LASU’s honorary doctorate degrees
Among the recipients of the Honorary Doctorate Degree, are: former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd.); former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Otunba Olufemi Olusegun Pedro; and Professor Joseph Abayomi Omoniyi Olagunju, who is being honored with the esteemed Rank of Distinguished Professor.
“Education is the backbone of our society, and we must recognize its importance in addressing societal needs and human development. As leaders, we must ensure our educational system remains relevant and effective in providing innovative solutions to real-life problems,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu, while stressing the importance of academic excellence in society, noted that leaders must remind young people that excelling in education is just as valuable as success in the entertainment industry, fashion, or sports.
This was just as pointedly said that leaders owed it a duty “to foster a culture that hungers for knowledge and innovation.”
“It’s our responsibility to foster a culture that hungers for knowledge and innovation,” said the Governor.
Speaking further, Sanwo-Olu stated that his administration was dedicated to empowering students in state-owned tertiary institutions, nurturing innovative thinkers, problem-solvers, and great leaders who would bring about sustainable, transformative change and growth to the State.
He said that to achieve this and build on past successes, the government was committed to providing more significant financial investment towards expanding infrastructure within and around, as well as ensuring the safety and welfare of the staff and students of the University.
Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted that the T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus agenda prioritizes E
education in the state, pointing out that the government had fostered innovative thinkers, problem-solvers, and great leaders through access to various youth development programs and initiatives for students, such as the Job Initiative Lagos (JIL) a job employability initiative organized for final year students.
“These efforts demonstrate our commitment to improving the welfare of staff and students of this University, providing opportunities for educational advancement to indigenes and residents of our dear Lagos State.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the welfare of the Staff and Students of the University is prioritised. This, we believe, will ensure that LASU thrives for the benefit of the surrounding community, the state, and Nigeria as well,” he said.
On the 11,917 graduands from the 2023/2024 academic session of the University, who reached a milestone, Sanwo-Olu said it represented a culmination of years of dedication and hard work, adding that the moment signifies the closure of one significant chapter in their lives and commencement of another, filled with promise and opportunity.
The governor, while acknowledging the outstanding achievements of Lagos State University, highlighted that Prof. Olatunji-Bello’s leadership had been a game-changer in university administration in Nigeria, by introducing innovative approaches and bringing a refreshing perspective to the field and elevating the university to greater heights, which had attracted both national and international recognition.
Earlier in her address to the students, LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olatunji-Bello, lauded the state government for its support and steady contribution to the University, which she said had been truly exceptional.
Reeling out some of the achievements recorded in the university, the vice-chancellor highlighted that 43 out of 44 of the school’s courses were accredited in October-November 2023.
She added that at the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education, the school commenced postgraduate diplomas, professional masters, and academic masters for the first time in the history of the programme, stressing that “the programme involves international students.”
In his welcome address, LASU Chancellor, Prof. Gbolahan Elias (SAN), said the celebration and recognition were a testament to the university’s dedication to nurturing great leaders.
He encouraged gradaunds to be good ambassadors of the institution, adding that they should remember that they were not only representing themselves but also their families, university, and state, as they go forward into the world.
Elias also charged them to be innovative, creative, and focused in their pursuit of success.
In all, 971 Diploma students, 8,711 students for First Degree programmes, 2,235 Postgraduate Students, 302 Postgraduate Diplomas, 1,132 Academic Masters, 639 Professional Masters, 125 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.), and 37 Professional Doctoral Degrees in various fields of learning graduated from the institution.
and then