.gives two best graduating students N20m each
By Our Reporter
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday gave N20 million each to the two best graduating students of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo Campus, just as he urged the graduands to distinguish themselves in their various discipline as they passed out of the school.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who spoke as the Visitor of the school at the graduation of 20,604 graduands, which include Bachelor degree holders, Master degree holders,diplomas and doctorate degree holders told them to exhibit competence, good character and be part of the change for better society that Nigerians clamour for.
Sanwo-Olu, while reminding his audience that, that would be the last convocation he would be presiding over as a Visitor to the school as his tenure as the governor expire May 29, 2027, charged the graduands to "be the proof that a state university can out-think, out-work and out-build any institution anywhere in the world."
"My final charge — the last instruction I will ever give from this podium as your Visitor. I will keep it simple, so that you carry it for life.
"Go, and be the proof. Be the proof that a state university can out-think, out-work and out-build any institution anywhere in the world.
"Be the proof that the daughter of a market woman can run a boardroom, and the son of a bus conductor can design an aircraft. The world you are entering will not ask where you graduated before it asks what you can do. Answer with your competence, your character and your courage — and the world will learn to respect your gown.
"Serve something larger than yourself. Degrees open doors, but only service builds a name. And wherever the tide of life carries you — Lekki or London, Ajah or Atlanta — carry Lagos with you. Remain worthy ambassadors of this University, this State, and this nation. You are not just leaving with a certificate. You are leaving with a covenant," he told the graduands.
In her welcome address, which also serves as her valedictory speech, the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Bello, whose tenure comes to an end next month, said she inherited a university of strong potentials, but would be leaving behind a university of providence, excellence, committed to higher goals.
She said when she was appointed the vice chancellor in 2021, she set six strategic goals she had in mind to achieve, expressing appreciation that she was able to achieve those goals.
She enumerated the goals to include academic excellence, research and innovation position, digital transformation of LASU, Digital infrastructures which enable her administration to execute 50 projects, achieving full residential status for the institution.
Prof. Ibiyemi said part of her goal was to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the Institution, which she was able to achieve by increasing it from N3bn in 2021 to N13bn by 2025.
The out going vice chancellor stated that her administration also took the welfare of staff and students of the institution as a priority by clearing over 2,000 promotion of staff not implemented before she came on board.
Bello appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu for the unwavering support he gave to the institution, saying that made it easier for her to accomplish the goals she set.
The vice chancellor, who went emotional when appreciating the governor, said, "I am appreciating the governor for giving us the support and never wavers in his believe that LASU may become what it is today."
Among the graduands, 494 graduated with First Class while Ayilara Lawal Olawale of the Department of Project Management, graduated with a grade point of 4.96, while Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, also graduated with a grade point of 4.97, with the two best graduates given N20 million each by Governor Sanwo-Olu.
The institution also gave honourary Doctorate degrees to Mr. Akin Kekere Ekun, husband to the Chief Judge of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere Ekun; Aliko Dangote and Mrs Bola Adesola, Chairman of Eco Bank.
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