All roads led to the Chapel of Christ our light, University of Lagos where a Special Thanksgiving Service held in honour of the 12th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, during the weekend.
It was a gathering of relations, friends, associates, well-wishers and admirers of Prof. Ogundipe who completed his 5-year term of office on Friday, November 11, 2022.
The mood was charged and the congregants all in high spirit as they rolled out the drums in praises and thanksgiving to God to celebrate with Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe on a successful tenure despite the trials and travails.
Highpoint of the service which held on Saturday, November 12, 2022, were testimonies given by the wife of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Mrs. Oluwaseun Ogundipe and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services, Professor Lucian Obinna Chukwu.
They both took turns to recall events of the year 2020 especially the crisis between the erstwhile Council led by Dr Wale Babalakin and Management which led to the purported removal on August 20, 2020 and climaxed with the eventual reinstatement on November 12, 2022. They were particularly full of gratitude to God for seeing the University of Lagos through the storm.
Mrs. Ogundipe was particularly thankful to God for the vindication and prayerful support from the university community just as Professor Chukwu appreciated Prof. Ogundipe for his sterling leadership which he said, exemplifies humility, institutional loyalty, large-heartedness, patience and forgiveness.
In his testimonies, the celebrant, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, returned all glory to God for seeing him through the storm. While recalling the trials which trailed one of his major milestones as Dean of Postgraduate, Prof. Ogundipe adjudged his success stories as the 12th Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG a testimony of God’s awesome powers and faithfulness.
Prof. Ogundipe appreciated every member of the university management who served with him, he was also grateful to the entire university community for the love, trust, and prayerful support all through his stay in office.
Homily for the well-attended Thanksgiving Service was given by Pastor Charles Kpandei of the Redeemed Christian Church of God who congratulated Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe for running well and finishing strong.
The cleric also commended stakeholders in the UNILAG community for supporting and standing firmly by Prof Ogundipe even during difficult times.
While praying and wishing the 13th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, well as she assumes office, Pst. Kpandei implored her to have resolute trust in God and work according to God’s will.
Other highlights of the thanksgiving service which was also graced by some management staff of the university were praise sessions led by Guest Gospel Artiste, Adeyinka Alaseyori during which Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and his wife, Mrs Oluwaseun Ogundipe joined by the array of friends, associates, well-wishers and admirers took time to sing and dance in thanksgiving to God for the journey and successes over the last 5 years.
There were also prayer sessions for the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, and his family as well as for the University of Lagos as Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, takes office as the 13th and first female Vice-Chancellor.
