Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, personally gave the best graduating student of Lagos State University (LASU), Miss Aminat Imoitesemeh Yusuf, a cash prize of N5 million for her brilliance.
Sanwo-Olu also announced an additional prize of N5 million from the Lagos State Government to reward the 23-year-old fresh Law graduate’s unprecedented feat.
Miss Yusuf graduated from LASU as the institution’s best student of all time, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.0 on a scale of 5.0, becoming the school’s valedictorian at its 26th convocation held at Ojo campus, yesterday.
The graduation ceremony also marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of LASU during which ex-Lagos Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola; Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and First Lady of Lagos, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees alongside seven eminent Nigerians.
Speaking during the ceremony, Sanwo-Olu hailed LASU for being steadfast in its commitment to providing high quality graduates and skilled manpower to meet socio-economic needs of the state and the country, noting that LASU had recorded a catalogue of achievements and recognition both locally and globally. The governor commended the school leadership team led by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, whom he described as, “a competent, administration-savvy academic”, for maintaining uninterrupted academic sessions, and also for promoting research and teaching in line with global best standards.
He said: “Attaining 40 years of excellence is no mean feat for a university that has uninterruptedly pursued rigorous academic research and teaching in line with global best standards. I congratulate the university for remaining steadfast in its commitment to the provision of a high standard of education which has produced highly skilled men and women over the years.
“This becomes more significant as the convocation coincides with the 40th anniversary of this great institution, which has continued to live up to the expectations of its founding fathers.”
Sanwo-Olu also disclosed that legacy projects his administration initiated on the campus were at different stages of completion. They included the university main library, Faculty of Education annex, Faculty of Management Sciences building, Lagos State University Technology Hub and modern hostel facilities.
“It is important to note that, beyond churning out graduates from the university regularly, the essence of education is to meet societal needs.
“I charge the management to ensure that the school keeps its curriculum at par with best international standards and challenges students with fresh ideas.
“If all institutions adopt this, we can reverse the negative effect that the scourge of education tourism is having on our young ones and our development,” Sanwo-Olu said.
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