Press Releases

LASU Holds 15th Convocation, Confers Doctorate Awards On Sultan of Sokoto

Feb 7, 2008 - A distinguished array of eminent Nigerians including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Saad Abubakar III, on Thursday converged on the convocation grounds of the Lagos State University at Ojo to witness the 15th convocation ceremony of the institution.

Addressing the august gathering which also featured the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on seven eminent Nigerians, Governor Fashola charged everyone to be part of the process of midwiving a new Lagos of our dreams which the present administration has started.

The Governor added that “we are at a critical period of transition from the old Lagos of squalor, chaos, crime, abject poverty and degradation to a new Lagos of prosperity, security and order and environmental beauty and infrastructural renewal and technological progress and abundance on all fronts”.

The Governor decried the current state of education in the country explaining that the situation becomes more pathetic when the fact is considered that learning actually began in Africa

He lamented that “is it not a shame today that we import virtually everything we consume? Our entire basic infrastructure is constructed by foreign firms or under the supervision of expatriate professionals”.

He added that only very recently when the state was looking for experts to undertake the controlled demolition of the defective Bank of Industry Building on Lagos Island , none could be found in the country.

Governor Fashola explained that recourse had to be sought from a South African firm that is now poised to carry out the delicate technical operation.

He revealed that he has however directed that engineering students from some of the tertiary institutions must be attached to the demolition team so that they can understudy and learn from the process.

He commended the founding fathers of LASU for their foresight and most especially the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Ashiwaju Bola Tinubu for the tremendous support given to LASU in the past eight years and promised to do everything to build on what has been achieved.

We intend to provide the best learning, working and research environment that will make LASU compete with the best Universities in Africa and the world, promising that “my word is my bond”

Governor Fashola expressed the belief of the administration that qualitative education constitutes the most enduring legacy that can be given to children, adding that it is continuing the massive rehabilitation reconstruction and re equipping of public educational institutions at all levels in the state.

He appealed to private educational institutions to put in place specified structures, facilities and qualified manpower to ensure provision of qualitative education to children and wards across that state.

The Governor explained that no government can singularly provide all her people’s needs in health, housing, education and other critical sectors but must in the interest of all remain as the regulator.

The Lagos State helmsman explained that while it is very unlikely that government would employ an unqualified teacher to teach in public schools, it is very possible and has happened in some private schools that have been closed.

Said he: “the issue of education goes beyond the quality of the classrooms or whether Government has the right. Not only do we have the right, issues of safety, child upbringing and protection from abuse are involved and we take them very seriously”.

While felicitating with the seven eminent Nigerians who were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees, Governor Fashola said one has to look very far to find persons who are more worthy of honour than the awardees.

To the graduands, Governor Fashola said, “there is much work to be done in Lagos and indeed Nigeria . There are roads and bridges to be built, slums to be upgraded, open spaces to be beautified, power and water plants to be built, children to be taught, books to be written, works of art to be created, refuse to be cleared or recycled and a thousand other challenges awaiting the exercise of your imagination”

Continuing, Fashola added, “look for the opportunities in every problem. Transform all obstacles into stepping stones to greatness and prosperity. Be courageous. Be bold. Be audacious in your dreams and visions. Conquer fear. The future is what you make of it and I wish you nothing but success”

In his address, the Pro- chancellor of the University, Mr. Akin Kekere Ekun charged everyone to endeavour to rededicate ourselves, to the cause of rebuilding this much maligned, much devastated nation of ours.

He added that the time has come now to search within for the will and the strength to pull the nation back from the brink of the abyss and redouble efforts to leave a lasting legacy for our children and generations yet unborn.

Also addressing the gathering, Vice Chancellor, Professor Lateef Hussain expressed the appreciation of the university to Governor Babatunde Fashola for assisting to keep LASU on the fast track.

The institution’s honorary doctorate degrees were conferred on even eminent citizens namely, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar111, former Minister of Works, Alhaji Lateef Okunnu. One time Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Adefemi Taire, Professor Omotunde Aba Sagoe, eminent jurist, Late Justice Muritala Okunola, former Special Adviser on Mineral Resources, Engineer Ahmed Onipede and Reverend Idowu Akindele.

Responding on the recipients, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar promised the state government and the university community that they would be worthy torch bearers of the university at all times.

He pledged the readiness of the honorees to partner with university both financially and morally to develop the university.

A total of 2,347 people graduated amongst whom were 13 Ph.D holders at the ceremony.

Among the eminent people who witnessed the event were former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Deputy Governors of Kano and Rivers State, First class traditional rulers like Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos , Oba Aremu Gbadebo, The Alake of Egbaland, Emirs of Kano, Zauzau, Argungu, Gwandu, Ilorin and several other dignitaries.