The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS has reiterated her commitment to fostering a culture of excellence in sports as an integral part of her administration’s mission to support and nurture talented members of the university community.
She gave the assurance on Monday, February 12, 2024, when the University Management received student-athletes who had put up outstanding performances at the recently held West Africa University Games (WAUG) Championship hosted by Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
The team of officials and student-athletes, who won several medals across various games, was led to the 10th Floor Conference Room of the Vice Chancellor by the Chairman, UNILAG Sport Council, Professor Afolabi Lesi.
While introducing the athletes, Professor Lesi explained that the visit was necessary for the medal-winning athletes to formally present their medals to the University Management, following their prolific performance at 2023 WAUG Championship.
Receiving the delegation, the University helmswoman disclosed plans to enhance training facilities, boost coaching programs, and facilitate scholarship opportunities for student-athletes, noting that “these form the crux of my commitment to promoting sporting excellence among students”.
Professor Ogunsola also commended the student-athletes for upholding the values of sportsmanship, and teamwork while competing at a high level against other universities from across West Africa.
Highlighting the importance of discipline and balancing academic pursuits with sports excellence, the Vice Chancellor attributed the exploits of the athletes at the WAUG championship to discipline and dedication.
Thereafter, she ceremoniously decorated the students with their respective medals to the admiration of other members of the management team.
Some of the students who represented the university in different events such as table tennis and athletics at 2023 WAUG Championship are:
- James, Ikechukwu Prosper: 100-level, Education Technology (one silver and one bronze medal from Table Tennis);
- Olaniyan, Fawaz Olamilekan: 100-level, Social Work (one silver medal from Table Tennis);
- Mebawondu, Inioluwa: 300-level, Human Kinetics and Health Education (one bronze medal from 4 by 100m mixed relay);
- Udo-Gabriel, Success: 200-level, Economics (three bronze medals from Long Jump, 4 by 100m Triple Jump and Mixed Relay)
- Nwokeokwu, Favour: 300-level, Human Kinetics and Health Education (one bronze medal from 4 by 100m mixed relay); and
- Olowu, Olorunwa Lekan: 300-level Human Kinetics and Health Education(one bronze medal from 4 by 100m mixed relay).
The 2023 WAUG Championship, won by the University of Ghana, Accra, started on December 15, 2023 with athletes drawn from 20 universities in Nigeria, Senegal, and Ghana. Also known as ECOWAS Students Games, WAUG is a multi-sports event between student-athletes from West African universities.
The first edition of the competition was held in 1965 at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s premier university.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Ayo Oloyede
