LASU will emerge from its crisis better, says Fashola

The Lagos State University (LASU)  will emerge from its crisis a better institution, its visitor, Governor Babatunde Fashola, has said. Fashola said his administration will ensure that LASU offers quality education.

He spoke at the inauguration of the Sobowale Benson Hall at the institution’s Faculty of Science.
He said: “Our administration has not wavered from our commitment and mission to provide the citizens of Lagos State with quality education that is comparable to the best available anywhere. In this regard, we shall ensure that the Lagos State University remains true to the best ideals of its founding fathers. As you may be aware, the Lagos State University is the only state university that was ranked in Nigeria in the latest world university ranking, and it is our wish and determination that it remains and retains this earned global recognition.”

Fashola, represented by his Special Adviser on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, described the new structure as ideal, promising to take LASU to the next level.
He thanked the donor, Chief Babatunde Benson (SAN), for redeeming the pledge he made when he was conferred with an honorary doctorate by LASU in 2009.

“Chief Benson has kept to his word that he would reciprocate the gesture of the Lagos State University that conferred on him the deserved honour of an LLD (Honoris Causa) in February 2009. By the provision of this hall, Chief Babatunde Benson has written his name in gold and has left an unforgettable legacy that the present and many generations of students that will pass through this portal of this institution will benefit from for many years to come.”

As a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, and an illustrious son of Lagos, Fashola said Chief Benson’s decision to donate a hall was borne out of his desire and passion for education and excellence in his state of origin.

LASU, Fashola said, believes in Public-Private Partnership, and therefore, open its hands to co-operation’s and participations of interested stakeholders and corporate organisation parents, philanthropists and well meaning individuals who intend to partners with the university.
Re-echoing Fashola, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Oladapo Obafunwa, told the gathering comprising students, traditional rulers from Ikorodu of the need to assist government in providing qualitative education in the state university. 

Obafunwa recalled the giant strides LASU has made to the development of the state in its nearly three decades of existence, thanking the university’s founding fathers, successive governments and, particularly, Fashola who, according to him, has rubberstamped certain costly projects, which will soon adorn the university landscape.

“The university management will leave no stone unturned in its bid to uplift the standard of the university in line with current aspiration and reformation of the state government. We wish to assure the governor that the management will continue to work tirelessly to justify the confidence reposed in us, to ensure LASU is the most preferred citadel of learning in Nigeria.” 

The donor recalled that LASU’s pioneer Vice-Chancellor,Prof Afolabi Olumide, had appointed him the university’s council with retainer fee of N50,000, which the legal luminary said he willingly returned to the university.
By Adegunle Olugbamila