The
Late Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Adetokunbo
Babatunde Sofoluwe,kicked-off activities marking the Institution’s 50th Anniversary with a Pre-Celebration World Press Conference on May 8.
"From
my vantage point, the future looks beautiful, full of promises and
myriads of opportunities. I see a future of outstanding excellence in
the quality of staff and of course, as a consequence, of students. I see
a future of trail-blazing collaboration between the academia of this
University and the budding industry in Nigeria and the world to improve
our national and world economy. I see UNILAG joining the league of 100
best Universities globally"
Below is the full text of the Vice-Chancellor’s speech:
It is on a note of great warmth that I welcome you to this World Press Conference to flag off the University of Lagos’ 50th Anniversary
Celebrations scheduled for October, this year. It is also a priviledge
to stand before you as the Vice-Chancellor at this time when the
University has reached this significant milestone.
I
am always happy to interact with members of the fourth estate of the
realm; as such opportunities expectedly should lead to a more objective
reporting of issues that concern our University.
The
University of Lagos was established by an act of the Federal Parliament
in 1962 with the mandate to “train the requisite professional workforce
for a newly-independent Nigeria”. The first lecture was held at the Idi
Araba Campus on October 3, 1962. I am pleased to announce to this
august gathering and the world through your media that the University of
Lagos has to an appreciable degree fulfilled this mandate.
The
University of Lagos has established itself as the number one University
in Nigeria and one of the best internationally. The two initial
Faculties and School at inception, that is, the Faculty of Business and
Social Studies, Faculty of Law and Medical School have today
metamorphosed into a College (College of Medicine), Postgraduate School,
twelve Faculties and a Distance Learning Institute.
Over
the period of fifty (50) years, the University has graduated more than
fifty thousand persons, many of whom are at the commanding heights of
politics, industries, governments and academics, both nationally and
internationally. Today as we flag off these Golden Jubilee Celebrations,
we in the University of Lagos have many things to be thankful for. I
will like to highlight some significant milestones:
PARTNERSHIPS AND LINKAGES
Over
the period, the University has enjoyed greater international visibility
through partnerships and international linkages. The recent one is
between this University and Soochow University in China. Other
institutions with which the University enjoys partnership with are: the
University of South Africa, South Africa (UNISA); Hogskolan Dalama
University, Sweden; DUN Groupment De Recherche International (GORI),
France; Universite Charles-Louis De Montesquieu D’Abidjan, Cote D’Voire;
Virginia State University, USA; Kennesaw State University, USA;
Confucius Institute, China and University of Bedfordshire, United
Kingdom among others.
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION
The
Federal Government established a National Centre for Energy Efficiency
and Conservation (NCEEC) in the University of Lagos, two years ago. The
construction of the building for the Centre beside the Central
Laboratory being constructed by the Mountain of Fire and Miracles
Ministries has commenced.
IMPROVED E-LEARNING AND ICT-COMPLIANT ENVIRONMENT
In
the University’s determination to be ICT compliant and sustain the
e-Learning environment, the University’s website has been redesigned to
provide various links for publication of results, allocation of
hostel/bedspace, registration and screening exercise.
PRODUCTION OF FIRST PULITZER PRIZE WINNER IN AFRICA
The
University of Lagos produced Africa’s first Winner of the prestigious
Pulitzer Prize in Journalism. Mr. Dele Olojede, one of the University’s
1982 graduates, won the prize.
FULL INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION BY NUC:
In
the last Institutional Accreditation from November 27 to December 3,
2011, the National Universities Commission (NUC) granted the University
Full Accreditation. The process evaluated Institutional Vision, Mission
and Strategic Goals; Institutional Governance and Administration;
Institutional Resources; Quality of Teaching, Learning and Research;
Institutional Efficiency and Effectiveness; Extension Services and
Consultancies; Transparency, Financial Management and Stability; and
General Ethos.
STABLE ACADEMIC CALENDAR
I
am happy to announce that the University has been able to maintain a
relatively peaceful task environment and a conducive teaching, learning,
research and development environment for students, staff and other
members of the University Community. This has culminated in the stable
academic calendar which we enjoy in this University.
UNILAG TOPS CURRENT LIST OF NUDTAS AWARD WINNERS
The
University topped the list of Nigerian Universities Doctoral Theses
Award Scheme (NUDTAS) 2008 and 2009 Award Winners released a few days
ago.
The
National Universities Commission (NUC) selected the theses of four
doctoral students of the University for the Awards after a rigorous
process which involved very high parameters/indices and a wide scope of
competitors drawn from all accredited Nigerian Universities.
AWARDS TO STUDENTS
- ‘BEST’ MAIDEN COMPETITION
An undergraduate of the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering of the University of Lagos, Miss Machado Munirat Adebowale emerged
as the overall winner in the maiden edition of Budding Engineers,
Scientists and Technologists (BEST) Competition organized by the Federal
Ministry of Education in Abuja. She took the first position with 81.33
percent among twenty-two (22) undergraduates of Engineering, Science and
Technology related disciplines in Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics
and Colleges of Education.
- UNILAG SHINES AT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Four
students of the University of Lagos emerged first in the West Africa
region and second in the Africa region at the International Competition
sponsored by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists
(AAPG). The competition was for all Africa Universities offering
geosciences. Egypt came first in the competition. The team will soon
travel to the United States of America where they will take part in the
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Annual Convention
and Exhibition at the Alexandria University in Long Beach, California,
USA.
- ELECTRICAL SOCIETY AWARDS
Two
final-year students of the Department of Electrical/Electronic
Engineering of the University also won prizes and awards at the
Technical Project Exhibition of the Society of Electrical/Electronic
Engineering Students held in August, 2010 in Ibadan.
- TEN STUDENTS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FROM LG ELECTRONICS
Ten
outstanding students of the Faculty of Engineering, with Cumulative
Grade Point Averages ranging from 4.0 to 4.9, received scholarship
awards worth fifteen thousand US dollars ($15, 000) from LG Electronics
Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of electrical and mechanical appliances.
These students will enjoy automatic placement for industrial training
and job placement with the company on graduation.
- COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP AWARDS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
The
Computer Warehouse Group awarded two First Class graduates of the
Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, of the University
with a laptop each and an automatic employment for academic excellence.
The
beneficiaries, Miss Sanni-Saba Olabisi Latifat and Miss Anokwu Ezinne
were the best graduating students of the Department of Computer Science
in the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 academic sessions respectively.
- UNILAG PG STUDENT IS CO-WINNER OF CHIEF S.L. EDU MEMORIAL RESEARCH GRANT
A
postgraduate student of the University of Lagos, Mr. Isaac George Nodza
emerged the co-winner of the 2012 Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Research
Grant of the Nigerian Conservative Foundation. The value of the grant
which will be released in three phases is N500, 000 (Five hundred thousand naira only).
- 2009 ZAIN AFRICA CHALLENGE COMPETITION
Four students of the University won the Bronze medal at the 2009 Zain African Competition held in Kampala, Uganda, East Africa.
The
Zain Africa Challenge International Championship Festival is an
academic quiz programme that involves African Universities. In all, 32
Universities from African countries participated in the Competition
designed to promote University Education and offer students a unique
networking opportunity.
SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS TO MEMBERS OF STAFF
- 26 YEAR OLD MISS OLABISI ADEYEMI EMERGED YOUNGEST PHD HOLDER AT 2011 CONVOCATION CEREMONIES
Miss
Olabisi Adeyemi is the youngest PhD holder to be produced by the 50
year-old institution. She graduated during the 2011 Convocation
Ceremonies of the University of Lagos.
The
26-year old lady had, in 2006, graduated with a first class degree in
Botany at UNILAG. Her performance qualified her to enroll for the M.Phil
programme. After the completion of the programme, she started the PhD
programme in 2007/2008 session, which she completed in record time of
three years.
- DON BEATS 500 OTHERS TO WIN TWO AWARDS AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
A
Lecturer in the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) of the University,
Mr. Sylvester Feyi Akinbuli won the Outstanding Research and Best In
Session Awards at the Business Finance Research Conference recently held
in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America.
Five
hundred (500) scholars from over two hundred and fifty universities
across the world took part in the ten-day conference which began on
January 3, 2012. The Conference was organized by the Institute for
Business Finance Research.
RECENT DONATIONS
- N100M JP CLARK CENTRE AT UNILAG
Delta
State Government has donated the sum of N100million (Hundred Million
Naira) for the construction of the JP Clark Centre at the Faculty of
Arts, University of Lagos.
The donation was in fulfillment of the promise made by the Governor at the Special Distinguished Lecture to commemorate the 45th Anniversary
of the Faculty of Arts held on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at the Afe
Babalola Auditorium. Governor Uduaghan was the Guest Lecturer at the
occasion.
- ARTHUR MBANEFO RESEARCH CENTRE
The
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University
of Lagos from 1984 to 1985, Chief Arthur Christopher Izuegbunam Mbanefo MFR, CON, FCA has donated a Research and Resource Centre to the University of Lagos.
The
Centre, when completed, will be a world class facility which would aid
and enhance academic research and productivity in the University and
Nigeria as a whole. It will also have a digital/internet based research
library to support advance research and postgraduate studies in Nigeria.
- DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES RECEIVES KINGDOM SUITE SOFTWARE GRANT
The
Department of Geosciences, University of Lagos received a grant of
Kingdom Suite Software. The three year grant from the HIS Global
Incorporation, Houston, Texas, United States of America is worth $2,
310, 000.00. The donation is for Geophysics and Geology Programmes as it
relates to oil and gas exploration.
- MODERN LABORATORY IN UNILAG MEDICAL CENTRE
An Ultramodern Medical Laboratory was recently completed at the Medical Centre with funds provided by foremost philanthropist and industrialist, Chief Adebukunola Adebutu Keshinton, OFR.
- TROIKA GROUP DONATES THREE-STOREY BUILDING TO MASS COMMUNICATION
Troika
Group has also donated a three-storey building to the University’s
Department of Mass Communication. When completed, the building will
[provide additional classrooms.
THE PROGRAMME FOR THE CELEBRATIONS The programme for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations is as follows:
Event Date
Anniversary Light and Sound Show May 18, 2012
My 50 Golden Words May 20, 2012
Anniversary Park April – June 16, 2012
UNILAG Ideas and People’s Festival April –July 27, 2012
Alumni Week June 11 – 16, 2012
Mr. and Miss Golden Jubilee July 5-6, 2012
Lecture (Faculty of Environmental Studies) July 7, 2012
Anniversary Lecture (Faculty of Law) July 12, 2012
Nigeria Nite July 20, 2012
UNILAG 25 Year Strategic Plan/Donor Club Inauguration July 26, 2012
UNILAG Festival of Arts August 13 -19, 2012
Anniversary Games Championships September 3 – 9, 2012
Anniversary Museum September 9, 2012
Golden Jubilee research Fair September, 2012
LUTH Lecture (College of Medicine) October 3, 2012
Special Anniversary Convocation & Awards October 4, 2012
Anniversary Gala Nite & Launch of Anniversary Documentary
& 50 Years History of UNILAG October 4, 2012
THE FUTURE:
From
my vantage point, the future looks beautiful, full of promises and
myriads of opportunities. I see a future of outstanding excellence in
the quality of staff and of course, as a consequence, of students. I see
a future of trail-blazing collaboration between the academia of this
University and the budding industry in Nigeria and the world to improve
our national and world economy. I see UNILAG joining the league of 100
best Universities globally.
I thank you for your kind attention. God bless you, God bless the University of Lagos and God bless Nigeria.
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