By Leshi Adebayo
It’s been six months since the appointment of Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello as 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University, and to mark this milestone, she has listed the achievements of her administration since assumption of office.
Prof. Olatunji-Bello gave an account of her stewardship on Wednesday, while speaking during the press conference to kick off the institution’s 25th convocation ceremonies.
The LASU VC seized the opportunity to do an overview of some achievements and successes recorded so far in the last 6 months, noting that upon assumption of office, her administration was driven by a vision to “make the Lagos State University the best in West Africa.”
“To achieve this vision as speedily as possible we have 6 strategic goals as signposts, namely, to ensure that academic and professional programmes are and remain accredited by the relevant bodies,” Prof. Olatunji-Bello said.
She further listed the achievements on her administration which covered a number of issues surrounding the institution.
“All Academic and professional programmes offered by the Lagos State University have been fully accredited by relevant bodies and the National Universities Commission; Secured approval to establish 3 new faculties and 1 school namely, Faculties of Allied Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Environmental Sciences and School of Library, archival and information science, which is the 1st in West Africa and Second in Africa.
“Maintained and secured collaboration with top institutions within and outside Nigeria, including Cornell University, USA, Delta State University, Delta and Gombe State University; organised a research ethics workshop for all interested academic staff,” the LASU VC said.
In areas of infrastructural facilities, Prof. Olatunji-Bello said, “We are also investing massively in infrastructural facilities of the University. To this effect, we have: Revamped the LASU printing press; renovated the offices of academic and non-academic staff; renovated the Epe Campus; facilitated the deployment of internet across the campuses and plans are underway to improve more of our facilities.
“We have fully equipped our classrooms, laboratories and libraries; provision of office furnitures and classroom.”
Moving on to the area of achievements in welfare packages, she said, “We have ensured that there is access to proper welfare packages including: payment of salaries in or before 23rd of each month; introduction of free medical checkup for every staff on their birthdays; activated the Lagos State Health Scheme in the university; prompt payment of 30% of basic salary as end of year 2021 bonus amongst others.”
Prof. Olatunji-Bello, giving her assurance of more efforts and her administration not resting on its oars, called for more support saying, “If we can achieve all these within six months, I am confident that with the support of all our stakeholders and by the grace of God, we will achieve many more within a short period.”
In what may be considered a landmark achievement for LASU, certificates to be issued to the graduating students will bear an embedded instant verification feature which will enable individuals, organisations to verify the authenticity of the certificates from anywhere in the world.
Speaking on the feat, the VC said, “Gone are the days of delays for verification, I believe we are the first university in Nigeria to create this innovation.”
