The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos; Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe FAS has commended the Visitor to the University, President Muhammadu Buhari for the choice of Distinguished Senator Dr. Lanre Tejuoso as the University’s Pro-Chancellor after the Dr Wale Babalakin governing council was dissolved.
Speaking on Tuesday, July 7, 2021 at the J.F. Ade Ajayi auditorium of the University, venue of proceedings for the 51st Convocation Ceremonies of the University of Lagos, Prof. Ogundipe recalled the events of last year which led to the cancellation of the ceremonies describing it as agonising with a devastating effect on the University’s image and finances as well as leading to the loss of research grants worth over 500,000 dollars.
While presenting the scorecard of the University management especially during and after the Covid-19 pandemic era, the Vice-Chancellor noted that through the combined efforts of both academic and non-academic staff members of the University of Lagos, over N14 billion (fourteen billion naira) has been attracted into the university through research grants.
While commending the noble efforts of researchers in the University, the Vice-Chancellor paid glowing tributes to students of different faculties for their academic prowess and sterling performances in different areas which he said, won the University of Lagos many laurels and prizes in National and international competitions.
Prof. Ogundipe commended parents, guardians and well-wishers of graduating students, he equally implored the graduating students to see themselves as eagles, soar high and be good ambassadors of the University of Lagos in all their endeavour.
In his address, the Pro-Chancellor, University of Lagos; Distinguished Senator Dr Olanrewaju Tejuoso reiterated the commitment of the Governing Council towards making the University a truly world class citadel.
In this regard, Senator Tejuoso reaffirmed the One C for 3Cs Agenda of the University’s governing council, one he interpreted as One Council for Cooperation, Creativity and Consolidation.
The Pro-Chancellor recalled with excitement the euphoria he had in 1985, when he sat in the same hall for his own convocation noting that his academic sojourn in the University of Lagos modelled him for all his engagements till date.
He commended the management and the entire staff members of the University for their commitment to excellence in academics and administration.
While identifying with the parents and guardians of the graduating students, the Pro-chancellor charged them to go out, excel in their chosen fields, make a life and see themselves as part of Nation builders.
Highpoint of the day one of the 51st Convocation Ceremonies was the conferment of Diploma awards and Bachelors’ Degree on deserving students across 5 faculties by the Vice-Chancellor who also stood in as the Chancellor of the University; His Eminence, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, the Sheu of Borno, the recognition and presentation of prizes to the best graduating students across departments among whom was 21-year-old Victoria Opeyemi Popoola who emerged as the best graduating student in Humanities for the 2018/2019 Convocation ceremonies having graduated with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.90 from the Department of Economics.
There were goodwill messages from representatives of other universities as well as the admission of the graduating students into the University’s alumni body.
The ceremonies which held in two sessions (morning and afternoon) saw a total of 4,007 students across 5 faculties namely Arts, Education, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences and Science convoking.
