Commitment to Excellence in Tertiary Education through teaching, entrepreneurship and mentoring formed the core of advocacies by dignitaries present at the public presentation of a book titled: A Practical Approach to “Contemporary Tertiary Education Management in Nigeria.
Edited by former Vice-Chancellor and former Registrar, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Tolu Odugbemi and Dr Taiwo Ipaye, the publication is a compendium of contributions from various resource persons within and beyond UNILAG.
The unveiling ceremony which held amidst pomp and ceremony at the Tolu Odugbemi Hall of UNILAG on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, was graced by a crème-de-la-crème across all walks of life.
In her remarks, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos and Chief host of the occasion, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, showered encomia on both Professor Odugbemi and Dr Ipaye for the publication, which she described as a clarion call to all stakeholders in the tertiary education subsector.
While appreciating Prof. Odugbemi for being her role model both in academia and administration, Prof. Ogunsola also applauded the quality of intellectual input from contributors. A feat, which she said, makes the book a must read, especially at this critical time in the history of tertiary education in Nigeria.
The book was reviewed by former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services, Professor Duro Oni who also applauded the Editors of the book for their commitment to the growth and development of tertiary education in Nigeria.
While doing a review of the eighteen (18) chapters in the publication, Prof. Oni hailed each contributor for their detailed and simplified approach to each of the themes covered. He added that these efforts would help administrators in the education sector in charting a way forward.
The book was officially unveiled and presented to the public by dignitaries present at the event including the General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (and sponsor of the publication), Professor Daniel Olukoya; former Minister of Science and Technology, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora among others.
In his Editor’s remarks, Professor Tolu Odugbemi took the gathering through the journey of the publication, one which he said is filled with twists and turns but laced with teamwork, divine guidance and intervention.
He acknowledged the commitment of the Co-Editor, Dr Taiwo Ipaye alongside the input of other contributors from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Ondo State University of Science and Technology, the church and other sectors.
Prof Odugbemi used the avenue to lend his voice to some moral issues. He advocated the need for individuals to change their mindsets towards cultural values and human dignity, and called for a shift in the way people treat nature. The former Vice Chancellor stressed the need to strengthen institutional governance as well as acquisition of entrepreneurship and vocation skills.
There were also remarks by the Provost, College of Medicine University of Lagos, Professor David Oke who represented the Chairman of the Occasion, Sir Steve Omojafor (Chairman, Board of Trustees of Augustine University, Epe, Lagos), the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya and his counterpart at the Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello.
They all congratulated Professor Tolu Odugbemi and Dr Taiwo Ipaye on the publication and described the book as one which should interest not only education administrators but everyone who is genuinely interested and committed to seeing a better tertiary education system in Nigeria.
