-Says ACE Project critical to internationalisation of the University
The Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM as officially inaugurated the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education (ACEITSE) STEM Education Laboratory, on Monday, 6th May 2024, at the main campus, Ojo, Lagos.
The Professor of Physiology, in her opening remarks stated emphatically that the project remains critical to the internationalization of the institution. An elated LASU Numero Uno described the building as another edifice adorning the landscape of the beautiful main campus.
Speaking further, she applauded the founding father, Emeritus Prof. Peter Okebukola, whose effort she said would not go unnoticed.
“As I always maintained, this Africa Centre of Excellence is very critical to the achievement of our objective of internationalization and making our University the best in West Africa “, the Vice Chancellor stated.
She was quick to add that as a Management, her team was committed to the goals and aspirations of the ACE-impact project, ensuring that the University continued to sustain and improve the academic and administrative performance of the Centre.
She noted that since the establishment of the Centre, in 2018, it has continued to play a key role in capacity building, not only for registered students of the Centre, but, for the other students and staff of the University.
Professor Olatunji-Bello hailed the leadership of the Centre, its relationship with the University Management which she enthused has reflected in the soaring of the performance of the centre.
“Today as you heard from the Director, our performance in earning is almost 75%. This improvement in earnings contributed very significantly to the completion of the building that is being inaugurated today. It is an aesthetically pleasing edifice strategically located beside the LASU-ACEITSE Building and I can say this is value for money. Indeed, I am pleased with the outcome of the project and the speed of its delivery”, she exclaimed.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated the Director/Centre Leader, LASU-ACEITSE and the entire leadership, on the great achievement.
She rounded off her speech, saying the facility remains an evidence of what the University could achieve if all could run on a common goal and united in purpose.
In his welcome address, the Director/Centre Leader, LASU-ACEITSE, Prof. Rasheed Sanni, appreciated the Vice Chancellor and the University Management for its unflinching support for the project and the centre. On behalf of the Leadership, he thanked the Vice Chancellor for the success of the project.
Still on the project, he informed that it was the Vice Chancellor’s constant support and intervention that ensured the speedy completion of the project and confidently remarked that the performance of the centre had gone up to 75% and promised that the leadership of the centre would continue to work hard to improve the performance of the centre.
Prof. Sanni pleaded that the Vice Chancellor to continue to support the centre, in order for it to record more successes.
Furthermore, the Centre Leader charged the students to make good use of the STEM laboratory as well as other facilities in the building, which he believed would enhance their training, equip them for the future as well as the academic pursuit in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, especially in courses like Biology, Chemistry, Physics and ICT.
Thereafter, it was time for goodwill messages as the Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola noted that the laboratory would provide students with hands-on experiences.
The Pioneer Director of the centre applauded the giant strides of Prof. Sanni and the centre leadership for bringing the vision to fruition.
On his part, the National Coordinator, ACE Impact Project in Nigeria, Dr. Joshua Attah, who sent his goodwill message through the Deputy Centre Leader, Dr. Hakeem Akintoye, he praised the leadership of the Centre for the timely delivery of the project. He gave kudos to the University Management for its support towards the project and the centre. He advised the University Management and the leadership to continue to work together in order to sustain the project, through capacity building at the leadership and implementation levels.
With the speeches over, the Vice Chancellor, flanked by the Principal Officers and other dignitaries proceeded to the building, cut the ribbon, unveiled the commemorative plaque and declared the STEM Education laboratory open. Immediately, the dignitaries moved into the building to see the facility, offices, laboratories and the equipment.
Other principal officers in attendance are the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Funsho Omobitan, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Adenike Boyo, the Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel. A. Fanu, Bursar was represented by the Project Accountant, Mr. Adebisi Yusuf and the University Librarian, Dr. Omawumi Makinde.
Deans, Directors, Heads of Department and the Leadership of the Centre were equally present.
Roll call of other leaders of the Centre at the ceremony include the Deputy Centre Leader, Dr. Hakeem Akintoye, Research Coordinator, Prof. Micheal Ahove, Deputy Registrar/Centre Secretary, Mr. Olabode Akinrinmade, Project Accountant, Mr. Olabisi Yusuf, Deputy Director, Science, Dr. Muheebat Fashola, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Dr. Wusu Adedoja, the Industrial Liason Officer, Dr. Isaac Bankole, the Project Procurement Officer, Mrs Bosede Agoro, the Project Internal Auditor, Mr. Fatai Lasisi and the Communication Officer, Mr. Gbadegesin Olanrewaju Daud.
The trio of Mrs Oruke, Mr. Tonesy and Mrs. Adewusi, Administrative Officers of the Centre were on hand to lend a hand of support.
Gbadegesin, Olanrewaju Daud,
Communication Officer.
