……As LASU Alumni Celebrates 40th Founders Day in Style.
Emmanuel lkpeama
On Saturday 20, October 2024, the Providence Hotel situated at 12A Oba Akinjobi Way,GRA lkeja Lagos played host to a gathering of Lagos State University Alumni Association, Lagos State Branch.
The event which was tagged “Honors Her Own at 40/Awards Night”, was put together in commemoration of its 40th founders day anniversary, honoured alumni who have distinguished themselves professionally and made significant contributions to nation building.
The honourees included the Senators representing Lagos West and Lagos East Senatorial Zone,Distinguished Senator Dr ldiat Oluranti Adebule and Senator Mukhali Adetokunbo Abiru who were awarded for Excellence in public service based on their outstanding service and positive impact in the constituency, supporting LASU’s values.
The Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly Rt Honourable Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa was awarded with Legislative leadership award for exemplary service as Speaker of the House of Assembly and his contributions to the advancement of LASU and the alumni community, while HRH Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi,Kunsenla lll was giving Royal leadership award for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the growth and development of LASU, leaving a lasting legacy.
Also honored was the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism,Mrs Toke Benson Awoyinka (Excellence in public service award)CP Olatunji Disu(Public Service Leadership award)Mr Olasupo Ati John,SAN(Beacon of hope award),AlG Fayoade Adegoke(Excellence in security leadership award),Prof Bidemi Bilikis(Exemplary leadership award) Lafiaji Okuneye, Honourable Justice Modupe Osho Adebiyi,Mr Hakeem Muri Okunola(Public service excellence award),SP Benjamin Hundeyin(Public service leadership award),Luqman Olubokola Amolegbe(Most outstanding student leader award), Senator Dr Yunus Abiodun Akintunde.(Excellence in public service award)
Others are General Cecil Esekhaigbe,Prof lbiyemi Olatunji Bello,Mr Rasak Olugbenga Amodu,Hon Justice Yemisi llori Adelaja,Aare Muyiwa Akinboro (SAN),Prof Lanre Adeyemi, among others.
In a welcome address, the Alumni Vice Chairman LASU Lagos branch,Prof Bidemi Bilikis Lafiaji Okuneye said the Association had come a long way and would continue to seek best possible partnership in its drive to develop the University.
Prof Okuneye stated that the four decades of academic excellence, research innovations and community service,a vision of the founders is already manifested in the enviable and noticeable successes which is evident in their accomplished lives.
She went further to state that since its founding,LASU has been a cradle of Excellence, nurturing countless individuals who have gone on to lead,innovate and inspire change across various fields.
“Our founders whose vision set the foundation for this great institution, imagined a future where LASU would be a pillar of academic distinction, shaping leaders not just for Nigeria but for the world. Today we honor their foresight and dedication by continuing to build upon their dream.
” On behalf of the LASU Alunni association,l officially welcome you to the dedication and donation of the LASU Alunni Post Graduate Halls of residence to immemorialize and immortalize this 40th anniversary. This project is more than just the unveiling of a building; it symbolizes the collective efforts of our alumni and their unwavering commitment to the legacy of Lagos State University”she stated.
The Vice Chancellor of of the University,Prof lbiyemi lbilola Olatunji Bello who was ably represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics),Prof. Abayomi says that the University has recorded so many feats and achievements including the just University All African Games hosted by LASU and Unilag, where the University came second.
He lauded the alumni association and thanking them for adding values to the institution. While reiterating her administration’s resolve to continue to work for the advancement of the institution,appealing to the association to continue to identify with the University in its quest at achieving its goals and aspirations.
The Vice Chancellor went ahead to state that the institution had excelled in national and global competitions,He averred that students of the institution now compete nationally and globally as they have students who can hold their own anywhere .
The Keynote Speaker Mr Luqman Olubokola Amolegbe in his address commended the founding fathers of the institution for having the vision to establish the university. He also lauded members of the alumni association, staff and students for contributions made towards the progress of the institution.
Mr Luqman emphasize on the need for the alumni to make the students and institution feel their impact and contributions towards the growth of the university.
“I want each and everyone one of us sitting here today to contribute their quota to the institution that have made you what you are today without waiting for the association. I also want to implore the National Alumni Association to start holding luncheon so that the institution and the students can feel our impact because when next we will be celebrating 50years anniversary, many of us would have retired from active service including myself,so make hay while the sunshine by giving back to your alma mater”he stated
He equally charged institution’s alumni associations, to come to the aid of their Alma mater through rendering of services, and provision of moral support to their leadership, stating that the step would help in alleviating some of the challenges facing the departments and faculty..
Mr Luqman Amolegbe who is one of the awardee says he feels proud for the award giving to him as the most outstanding student leader, for his exceptional leadership and positive impact on the LASU student community, stating that he is equally happy that that those he led decided to recognize his impact.
” May l use this opportunity to speak to the youths to shun cultism and drugs abuse as it does not pay. Youthful exuberance is becoming the order of the day, the youths l should know that whatever they do today would have an effect of what they become in future. Today we are giving this award because of our contribution then, not knowing that we were being watched by many and today we are recognized.”he submitted.
The Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly,Rt Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa who was ably represented by his Chief of Staff Mr Omoyemi Oludotun explained that the development of Lagos State, would remain an imagined possibilities, unless the citizens are made to feel impact of government, through provision of people-oriented programmes that would add values to their lives.
Obasa noted that he would do everything humanly possible to ensure that Lagos State University is one of the best Universities in the whole of Africa,while urging individuals and other stakeholders to work together and take LASU to enviable heights.
Lending her voice,the Senator representing Lagos West, Senator Oluranti Adebule thanked the association for recognizing her little contribution in the society and her input put in place.
She equally charged the institution’s alumni associations, to come to the aid of their alma mater, through rendering of services, and provision of moral support to their leadership, stating that the step would help in alleviating some of the challenges facing the institutions, while pledging her total support to the actualization of the proposed alumni postgraduate halls of residence.
Speaking to newsmen,the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media,Mr Enitan Olukotun rejoices with the alumni especially Lagos branch for sustaining the great institution for over four decades.
Senator Abiru said ” we want to thank God almighty for preserving the lives of everyone and the institution they are all proud of. We can the see the giant strides, achievements and nany product of the institution,their contribution to humanity,academia, politics, business and human development in general”
The Senate Committee Chairman on Banking & Finance who is known for his impeccable pedigree and his antecedents in the Corporate and thereafter rose to his present career thanked the association for the award giving to him as it will spur him to make more impact in the society and the institution at large.
The Chairman LASU Alumni Lagos branch, Barrister Satar Oladipupo Omolola stated that the essence of the celebration was to recognize those alumni who have touched lives, impacted into the society and given back to the institutions.
He highlighted some of the achievements recorded by the alumni association such as providing indigent trust fund which is meant to assist the indigent students, proposed alumni postgraduate halls of residence among others.
Bar. Satar noted that the founders have done their part and they are the success stories projecting the positive LASU image and spirits and giving back to the institutions.
“It is with immense pride and joy to celebrate with all the Lasuites in immortalizing the 4Oth anniversary of the founders of alma mater. Beyond this tribute the LASU Alumni Post graduate hall of residence will serve as a home for current and future students. It will be a place where dreams are nurtured and minds sharpened.
“The LASU post graduate hall of residence is not just a structure,it is a legacy,a lasting tribute to the founders,the builders and the alumni who have made LASU what it is today. This building and the names it bears will serve as a constant reminder to current and future students of what is possible when passion meets purpose.” he submitted.
Investigator news reports that Lagos State University whose old and new students fondly addressed themselves as Lasuites was established in 1983 by the Lagos State Government under the Lagos state university law of 1983 which was enacted the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The university was created to provide quality tertiary education for Lagos State indigenes and other Nigerians,the university was founded by the then Governor of Lagos State,Alhaji Lateef Jakande on October 22,1983.
It will be recalled that the university expanded its infrastructure with new campus projects, including building lecture halls, libraries and students hostels as the university boast of large number of distinguished alumni who have excelled in various fields.
It continues to focus on expanding its academic programs, improving infrastructure and fostering an inclusive academic environment.
Investigator news gathered that Founders Day celebration is a special occasion celebrated to honor and remember the individuals who played a pivotal role in establishing the institution.
It is typically marked by ceremonies, events, and activities that reflect the university’s history, values, and achievements.
These celebrations often include speeches, awards, alumni gatherings, and sometimes even academic lectures or exhibitions as it serves as a reminder of the vision, dedication, and contributions of those who laid the foundation for the university, and it often instills a sense of pride and community among students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Highpoint of the event was presentation of awards to personalities who have distinguished themselves in various fields,speeches from leaders of thought and dance galore.
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