Prof. Mrs Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU) Tuesday marked her first year in office as she honoured 556 first class students.
The students, selected from across the 11 faculties and schools in the university, were awarded 50 percent reduction/rebate on their fees.
As explained by the VC, the students were those whose Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) was not below 4.7.
In her speech, Olatunji-Bello noted that delivering the mandate of higher education in Nigeria is being impeded by incessant strikes which were affecting the synergy between the ivory towers and industries.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Olatunji-Bello who is the 9th substantive VC of the university said it showed the swift passing of time, adding that it would not in any way erode her determination to achieve her vision and mission for the university.
“My vision and mission is to make LASU the best university in West Africa. On three different occasions I applied to be the Vice Chancellor of this great institution and when it was the appointed time, I was chosen. I have a clear idea of how to achieve the vision and mission I have for this university. “We are not saying there are no challenges, but with the support of our Visitor, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and a dedicated workforce, management team that shares the same vision with me and world-class students, we are on the right track, ” she said.
Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Lagos Governor, ably represented by Mrs Nkem Sofela, lauded the developmental stride recorded so far by the administration of Olatunji-Bello.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) represented by Mrs Bola Olujobi, said education had always been a top priority for successive administrations in the state.
Delivering a lecture on “The significance of education to the growth of a nation, ” the British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr Ben Llewellyn-Jones, said girl child education must be taken seriously for the overall development of the country.
“Girls education, though a game changer, is one of the smartest investments we can make to lift people out of poverty, grow economies, save lives and build back better from COVID-19 . Research shows that a child whose mother can read is 50 percent more likely to live beyond the age of five and 50 percent more likely to be immunised against major potential infections,” he said.
He, however, called for more budgetary allocations to education as a way of providing quality education that would take more citizens out of poverty.
