The 11th Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Rahamon Adisa Bello, FAEng, has charged the Nigerian government to borrow a leaf from the leadership the University of Lagos has had over the last sixty (60) years.
He made this submission while delivering his address as the Chairman of the End-of-Tenure Valedictory programme organised for the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS, on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at the J. F. Ade. Ajayi Auditorium.
In his remarks, Prof. Bello mentioned that 5 years is enough for any government to make monumental changes in the country. He hinted that the University has had 12 Vice-Chancellors in its 60 years of existence, boiling down to a tenure of 5 years each, even though one can say each Vice-Chancellor spent varying numbers of years in office.
According to Professor Rahamon Bello, the 5-year tenure of Prof. Ogundipe, seemed like 10 years due to the interesting turn of events which occurred. He expressed pride in the outgoing Vice-Chancellor’s tenure as a lot of development accrued to the University such as the migration to the e-learning platform during the COVID-19 scare, various innovations and inventions, the construction/commissioning of infrastructures all over the campus, the improvement in the University ranking, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, internal turbulence, improved ranking, etcetera. His words, “As a proud grandpa Vice-Chancellor, I am happy to note that the 13th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, just like Professor Ogundipe is from my stable as Deputy Vice-Chancellors during my own tenure”.
In her remarks, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), stated that the University of Lagos has a tradition of celebrating its own. She stated that the outgoing Vice-Chancellor assumed office with his personal vision as well as his vision for the University of Lagos. She went on to recite his 2017-2022 “UNILAG” Agenda, and all present agreed that Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe had done well.
The event was filled with glitz and glamour as Professor Ogundipe was celebrated by the entire University as well as friends of the University.
Glowing tributes were paid to him by the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNILAG branch, Dr. Dele Ashiru; Acting Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), UNILAG branch, Mr. Olusola Showunmi; Chairman, National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), UNILAG Branch, Mr. Peter Ojobor; Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU), UNILAG branch, Mr. Kehinde Ajibade; representative of UNILAG Students Leadership, Femi Omolere; 1st Vice-President, UNILAG Alumni Association (National), Dr. Fassy Yusuf; Parents Forum, Mr. Majekodunmi; Friends of the University, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port-Harcourt, Professor Onwunari Georgewill; the Jagaban of Mass Communication, Professor Ralph Akinfeleye.
The Professor of Professors, Professor Ayodele Ogunye, presented Professor Ogundipe’s Scorecard which gave an account of his achievements and successes during his 5-year tenure.
The event also featured an excellent spoken word presentation by a 300-level Mass Communication student, Miss Omolabake Abudu-Bhadmus; a beautiful music presentation by the UNILAG Choir; a documentary – “Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, FAS: The Man” showing his achievements as UNILAG’s 12th Vice-Chancellor; an energetic dance presentation by students of the Department of Creative Arts; and a short playlet depicting the life of Prof. Ogundipe as a Lecturer.
In response to the glowing tributes, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, popularly known as “Odogwu” among UNILAG students, spoke about his experience as Vice-Chancellor, giving special recognition to those within and outside the University who stood by him during the 2020 crisis and gave him unwavering support. He lavished praise on the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS.
Watch the full event here:
Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS, assumed office as the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the University on Sunday, November 12, 2017 and will leave office on Friday, November 11, 2022.
