A total of ninety-eight (98) participants have successfully completed the Certificate Course in Technical Works & Facilities Maintenance, offered by the Human Resources Development Centre (HRDC) at the University of Lagos.
With the exception of one self-sponsored participant, the other 97 graduates are non-teaching members of staff in the Technical & Works cadre of the University of Lagos who were fully sponsored by the University Management.
At the graduation ceremony held in the premises of the HRDC on Thursday, February 9, 2024, the participants were full of gratitude to the University, and Vice-Chancellor in particular, for the sponsorship of their training.
In his opening remarks, the Director of the HRDC, Dr. Lateef Odekunle, FCA, disclosed that 102 participants were originally enrolled in the programme, which had three specialisation tracks: Civil Technical Works & Facilities Maintenance; Mechanical Technical Works & Facilities Maintenance; and Electrical/Electronic Technical Works & Facilities Maintenance.
He said, “101 participants were on the full scholarship of the University Management, while only one participant came in as self-sponsored. Of that number, today, ninety-eight of them have successfully completed their courses, and are certified as competent in their respective crafts. 51 finished with Distinctions; 44 with Credit; 2 with Merit; and 1 with Pass.”
Dr. Odekunle commended the robust support of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, OON, for the training initiative. He extolled her passion for human capacity development, which he described as the “reason why she pulled out all the stops for this programme”; and assured her of the readiness of the graduates to pay back the benevolence of the University.
In her address, complimented with rounds of applause by an excited audience, the Vice-Chancellor felicitated with the graduates. She explained to them the rationale for their participation in the programme and expressed the hopes of the University of Lagos to see them operate at higher levels of excellence.
Her words: “I am a firm believer in training people to be better, first for themselves, and for the system as a whole. It is when individuals are well trained to deliver on their respective areas of responsibility that the system can operate more efficiently and productively. The University of Lagos has invested in you today because you, individually and collectively, are the University of Lagos. I want you to know that the training you have received will serve you, both during your time in service and for many more years after retirement. Therefore, I urge you to rededicate yourselves to excellence. Repay the faith we have invested in you by turning out quality work. At the level of Management, we are ready to work with you to ensure that you become the best versions of yourselves. I wish you a future where money and work will not be your problem; a future where you will be in control of your circumstances”.
Mr. Samuel Kehinde Jackson who spoke on behalf of the graduating participants, expressed immense gratitude to the Professor Ogunsola-led Management for the training initiative, and affirmed the readiness of the graduating class to repay the faith the University has reposed in them.
Chairman of the HRDC Management Board, Prof. Samson Adeosun, while giving the Vote of Thanks, expressed appreciation for the University Management’s steadfast support for the activities of the Centre and its students.
Mr. Odunlami Adewale Oluwatosin, from the Electrical/Electronic track finished as the Best Graduating Student with a Grade Point Average of 4.88. Other high-flying participants who also finished with Distinction are: Efunnuga Adbulrahman (self-sponsored), Aderibigbe Ayooluwa Jeremiah, Udoh Ikpoma Hilary; and Solomon Godwin Akpan.
The Certificate Course in Technical Works & Facilities Maintenance, offered by the Human Resources Development Centre (HRDC), University of Lagos, is a three-month skill upgrading programme open to all craftsmen and interested persons who desire to upskill in any of the specialisation tracks. HRDC programmes have the endorsement of the National Association of Engineering Craftsmen (NAEC), which opens its official membership to graduates of HRDC programmes.
REPORT: Isaiah Kumuyi
PHOTOGRAPHY: Samuel Dosumu
