Management of the University of Lagos, on Saturday, August 26, 2023, paid a traditional homage to the Oba of Lagos; Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu at his palace on the Lagos Island.
Led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, the visit to the Oba of Lagos was to appreciate the monarch for his generous disposition and kind support for UNILAG over the decades.
Prof. Ogunsola particularly acknowledged and showered encomiums on the frontline monarch for being a symbol of peace and progress across the length and breadth of his traditional territory and Lagos State at large, a feat which the Vice-Chancellor says has influenced the peaceful co-existence which UNILAG has enjoyed with all adjourning communities.
In his response, the Oba of Lagos; Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu appreciated the UNILAG management for epitomizing and sustaining the culture of all-round excellence.
The Royal father particularly commended successive managements of the University of Lagos for building a foremost ivory tower which has grown to become an envy for not only Lagos but the entire Nation and the African continent.
He also acknowledged the university’s contributions towards building and improving human capacity for national development, a feat which he said, must be reciprocated by government at all levels through further engagement with the intelligentsias and implementation of research recommendations from ivory towers.
Oba Rilwan Akiolu stated his reservation over the mass exodus of human capacity from Nigeria through the “Japa syndrome”, a development which he blamed on slow development, poor leadership and lack of political will to address some pressing national issues.
While calling for objectivity and sincerity in leadership at all levels, the Oba of Lagos expressed hopes that with better optimization of the country’s resources, Nigeria would gain its rightful place among the comity of nations as a land of prosperity and opportunities for all.
The visit afforded the UNILAG management an opportunity to solicit the kind assistance of Oba Akiolu in addressing lingering disputes over some of the university’s landed properties situated in adjourning communities. The Vice-Chancellor also shared concerns over activities of miscreants who infiltrate the university to cart away or vandalize properties. Oba Ridwan Akiolu, in response, promised to explore both traditional and political solutions to address the challenges.
