Friday, December 15, 2023, was a red-letter day for the management and staff of the Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Lagos as they all converged for the 4th edition of the faculty’s Annual Staff Dinner and Awards Ceremony.
The Jelili Omotola (Multipurpose) Hall was a Mecca of some sort as both teaching and non-teaching staff members across all five (5) departments of the faculty (i.e. Accounting, Actuarial Science and Insurance, Business Administration, Finance as well as Employment Relations and Human Resource Management) converged with their family members for the event which was also graced by Industry collaborators.
In her remarks, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola OON, FAS, congratulated the rank and file of the Faculty of Management Sciences describing them as the knowledge creation hub for other professions and drivers of productivity, growth as well as overall success in every organization/institution.
While expressing concerns over the various challenges plaguing the global economy, its daunting effects on developing nations including Nigeria and its implications on subsectors of the entire Nigerian system, Prof Ogunsola harped on the need for both industry (the town) and the academia (the gown) to desist from working in silos, scale up existing collaborations and forge new paths which could promote business operational efficiencies thereby addressing the threats from the global economy.
The Vice-Chancellor also stressed the need to create new levels of engagements through multidisciplinary researches amongst relevant fields.
Her words “our country needs us and we can only make this happen through continuous engagements and by developing an ecosystem that facilitates the fluidity of research outputs and knowledge transfer…. this will create new innovations, drive growth and also create new practical solutions to our complex problems in Nigeria”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, UNILAG, Professor Adeola Sulaimon reiterated his team’s commitment towards fostering partnership with the industry. He said the choice of “Redefining Management for the 5th Industrial Revolution: Strategic Engagement & Partnership” as theme for the 2023 edition of the Annual Staff Dinner and Award Night was informed by the need to assure the industry of the faculty’s capacity and avowed readiness to keep training and grooming 21st century compliant managers and leaders who are not only Future-Ready but also strategically positioned to confront and solve the 5th Industrial revolution challenges.
Prof Sulaimon used the avenue to appreciate the collaborations and partnerships so far enjoyed from industry partners and alumni, He solicited more cooperation so as to build stronger alliances for the continued growth and relevance of the faculty as well as opportunities for students.
The well attended event was also an opportunity to celebrate staff members of the faculty who retired during the year namely; Professor Abdur Rasheed Ojikutu (Department of Actuarial Science and Insurance), Professor P.K.O. Ladipo and Dr Uchechi Onokala (both from the Department of Business Administration), Mrs Adebukola Maureen Adeyinka and Mr Michael Popoola.
The Group Managing Director of Sahara Group, Mr Kola Adesina was awarded as the Illustrious Alumnus of the Faculty while Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Custodian & Allied Insurance Plc and Linkage Assurance Plc were awarded as key employers for the year.
There were also entertainment performances to spice up the event which held till late on Friday, November 15, 2023.
