The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Gandhi Library, a 57-year-old dedicated space for postgraduate students and researchers in the Main Library, is set to receive a transformational boost from the Indian Community.
According to the University Librarian, Prof. Yetunde Zaid, this gesture from the Indian community would be of immense pleasure to the University, as the Gandhi Library houses a valuable collection of African resources published by Africans in Africa.
This formed part of discussions between the University Management and the Consul General of India, Lagos, Nigeria, Shri Chandramouli Kumar Kern during his courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
The Consul General and his entourage from the Indo Eye Foundation were accompanied by the Chairman of the UNILAG Alumni Association (Lagos branch), Comrade Owoeye-Adedeji Adeyemo a.k.a. OVO along with some executive officers of the Association and the Ba Oba Se ilu, Odi Olowo Mushin, Murishna Murthy, an Indian who has spent 53 years in Nigeria. Indo Eye Care Foundation is a charitable foundation of the Indian Community which provides free screenings and surgeries for eye-related ailments like cataracts & pterygium in Nigeria.
The delegation was received on the 10th Floor of the Senate House by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Prof. Bola Oboh who represented the Vice Chancellor; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa; University Librarian, Prof. Yetunde Zaid; Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mrs. Abosede Wickliffe; Director, Quality Assurance and SERVICOM, Prof. Olufemi Saibu and Deputy Provost, College of Medicine, UNILAG (CMUL), Prof. Daniel Odebiyi.
During the visit, the Consul General engaged in discussions about potential areas of collaboration between UNILAG and India. He emphasized the Indian government’s eagerness to foster a productive relationship with both UNILAG and Nigeria.
The Consul General also expressed his profound appreciation for the philanthropic activities being carried out by Indo Eye Care Foundation in Lagos, including the 3-day UNILAG eye care outreach on the Akoka campus of the University which was facilitated by the Alumni Association.
The outreach which began on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at the UNILAG Medical Centre Car Park would provide free eye screenings, eyeglasses and cataract surgeries where necessary to over five hundred (500) members of staff and students of the University.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Prof. Bola Oboh welcomed the delegation and applauded Comrade Adedeji and his team for the initiative. She conveyed the University’s desire to continue talks on the aspect of conducting free cataract surgeries in partnership with the Medical Centre, as well as collaborate with the University Library and Faculties of Arts and Law.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa reiterated the readiness of the Faculty of Law to collaborate with the Indian community, especially as “Indian jurisprudence is very important to us in Nigeria because of our shared colonial heritage as well as the steps that Indian courts have taken”.
According to her, “Indian courts have contributed some critical advances in interpreting the constitution and criminal justice.” Prof Atsenuwa noted that in comparative criminal law, one compulsory country to study was India because the criminal code that applies in Northern Nigeria is identical to India’s criminal code. She affirmed that the Law Faculty would benefit from professors from Indian law schools.
In response to Prof. Atsenuwa’s suggestion, the Consul General declared his readiness to voluntarily deliver a lecture on Indian constitutional law, when called upon.
After the visit, the delegation took a quick tour of the Learning Commons and Gandhi Library sections of UNILAG Main Library.
Reporter: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Photographer: Ayo Oloyede
