Stakeholders Task LASU VC On Further Development

Lagos State University Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has been tasked to continue to leverage on her quality leadership style to enhance academic excellence, as well as sustain the tempo of achievements, and especially infrastructural milestones of the university.

The call was made by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who said though the Vice-Chancellor since assumption of office three years ago has recorded a lot of transformative feats, projecting LASU as a global reference in successful university administration; more achievements are still being expected under her leadership in the institution.

Princess Orelope-Adefulire, who chaired the book launch written on the Vice-Chancellor, titled: “Chronicles of Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello” by the Centre for General Nigerian Studies of the university, stressed that as a woman, Prof Olatunji-Bello needs to be celebrated and encouraged to do more in view of the record of her administration’s landmark achievements so far.

While describing her as “an accomplished, resilient, outstanding academic and administrator,” the Senior Special Adviser pointed out that her innovative, resilience and impact in the society, which cannot be over-emphasised, have not only transformed LASU, but also put the university in the limelight as a reflection of her foresight and passion as the Vice-Chancellor.

While unveiling the book, she noted: “Since her assumption of the leadership of the university as Vice-Chancellor, Prof OlatunjiBello has recorded a great transformative feat, which has placed LASU as a global reference point in academic and university administration.”

Princess Orelope-Adefulire, however, expressed confidence that under her, “LASU would continue to witness records of milestone achievements, even as she recalled that the university, under Prof Olatunji-Bello’s leadership, has expanded its academic and infrastructure horizon and frontiers.

The university’s Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council, Sir David Sunmoni, while extolling the virtues of Prof Olatunji-Bello, said he is privileged to have a Vice-Chancellor like her to work with.

The Council chair, who stated that as Vice-Chancellor, she had already surpassed the expectations of the Council in view of growth and achievements of LASU, recalled how the Council had to adopt the vision of Prof Olatunji-Bello for the development of the university.

Also, in his remarks, Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr Tolani Sule, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Abayomi Kasali, commended the Vice-Chancellor for her achievements so far in the university and support for her community.

He stated: “We are celebrating a woman of quality leadership, who has transformed LASU, and who has made her mark in university administration and management in Nigeria and Africa, by extension.”

According to him, Prof Olatunji-Bello has achieved a lot in LASU and, in fact, she has given LASU national and global fame by making the institution the most digitally advanced state university in the country, and consistently recognised globally.

Also, speaking at the unveiling of the book, which was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, the Director of the Centre and Chairman of Organising Committee, Prof Mubashiru Olayiwola Mohammed, who midwifed the writing and publication of the book along his team of co-authors, including Mr Martin Ademola Adekoya; Mr Adeyemi Sulaiman Dada; Mr Adewunmi Olori; Mrs Abidat Mohammed; and Mr Seun Gbanja, said the book was written by the Centre to mark the third year in office of the Vice-Chancellor and in recognition of her massive support to the Centre as well as her purposeful leadership in the university.

He assured the sponsors of the publication of the book that whatever amount of money realised through the launching would be used to establish an endowment in honour of the Vice-Chancellor.

Responding, Prof OlatunjiBello, expressed her deep appreciation to Prof Mohammed and his team for the noble initiative that birthed the book, even as she commended the efforts the team put into writing the book, and for working tirelessly to make the final presentation a success.