Focus, resilience, vision, thoughtfulness in leadership and sterling achievements were some of the outstanding qualities which made the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, the toast of stakeholders at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre (AMDRC).
Being a gathering of friends, colleagues, mentees, well-wishers and admirers, the cocktail which held in the evening of Thursday, October 27, 2022 was an avenue to celebrate the trials, travails and the success stories of Prof. Ogundipe as his 5-year tenure of office draws to an end.
In her remarks to flag off the ceremony, Director, Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre (AMDRC) and former Registrar, Dr Taiwo Ipaye took time to eulogize Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe for his unflinching support for the Centre and for further promoting the legacies of Chief Arthur Mbanefo, donor of the Digital Research Centre.
Dr. Ipaye particularly commended the Vice-Chancellor for exemplifying courage, strength and doggedness in leadership, a feat she said, made AMDRC and UNILAG a renowned point of convergence for national and global discourse especially during and after the COVID-19 era.
Other speakers at the colourful ceremony were, a Board member of AMDRC, Dr Bode Karounwi, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services, Professor Duro Oni and former Deputy Registrar, Mrs. Adebowale Ukaiwe. They all took turns to shower encomiums on Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, adjudging him an exemplary performer, outstanding achiever, Game changer, Goal getter and lover of God.
The speakers also lauded Prof. Ogundipe’s diligence and sense of commitment despite the trials and travails as well as how he acknowledges and appreciates every support he gets from anyone.
Also at the event, Retired Professor of Chemical Engineering, Emeritus Professor Francis Ogunye and the incoming Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folashade Ogunsola, FAS, spoke glowingly about Prof. Ogundipe describing him as a man with a difference.
While giving insights into the crisis which rocked UNILAG in 2020 with Prof. Ogundipe in the eyes of the storm, Prof. Ogunye appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for his calmness, resoluteness and faith.
In his response, the honouree, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe was full of gratitude to every stakeholder in the university for the oneness and loyalty to the system, a feat he identified as one of UNILAG’s unique strengths.
The Vice-Chancellor also took time to acknowledge and appreciate the array of friends, colleagues, mentees, well-wishers and admirers, and charged them to commit themselves to building on the success stories which UNILAG has recorded on all sides.
Highlights of the event, which was graced by the wife of the Vice-Chancellor, Mrs. Oluwaseun Ogundipe as well as principal officers of the University, includes presentation of gifts to Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe as a token of appreciation for a successful tenure. There were presentations to the incoming Bursar of the University; Mrs. Funmilola Adekunle and the incoming Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folashade Ogunsola, who until their appointments, were Board members of the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre (AMDRC).
