UNILAG VC ADDRESSES WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF GOLDEN JUBILEE CONVOCATION CEREMONIES

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Rahamon A. Bello, FAEng on Monday, January 28, 2013 addressed newsmen ahead of the Golden Jubilee Convocation Ceremonies of the University. The Press Conference was attended by Principal Officers, staff and students of the University along with representatives of various media organisations. Below is the full text of the Vice-Chancellor’s address at the World Press Conference: It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the most preferred University - the University of First Choice and the Nation’s Pride, University of Lagos. This is my first official interaction with you gentlemen of the fourth estate of the realm since my appointment as the 11th Vice-Chancellor of the University on the 12th November, 2012. I will, therefore, seize this opportunity to thank you immensely for assisting to project the image of the University of Lagos to the outside world. I look forward to a stronger partnership between the media and the University of Lagos in the days ahead. Gentlemen of the Press,  today’s media briefing is principally designed to kick- start our Golden Jubilee Convocation, which is the crescendo of our 50th Anniversary Celebrations, that started earlier in 2012. The occasion of this Press Conference will afford us the opportunity of a face- to- face interaction, which we expect should assist in better understanding and more objective reporting by the media on issues concerning the University. As you all know that the University of Lagos was established by the 1962 Act of Parliament with the mandate to: •        encourage the advancement of learning and to hold out to all persons without distinction of race, creed, sex or political conviction. •        provide courses of instruction and other facilities for the pursuit of learning in all its branches, and to make those facilities available on proper terms to such persons as are equipped to benefit  from them. •        encourage, promote and conduct research in all fields of learning and human endeavour; and •        undertake any other activities appropriate for a University of the highest standard. I am happy to inform you today that by our reckoning the University of Lagos has lived up to the aspiration of the founding fathers to a large extent. The University began with a medical school and two other schools: Business & Social Studies, and Law. The Faculties of Arts, Education, Engineering and Science were added in 1964. From this humble beginning and in spite of all challenges, the University of Lagos has metamorphosed into a “Centre of Excellence” having three campuses at Akoka, Idi-Araba and Yaba, with a College of Medicine, a Distance Learning Institute, a School of Postgraduate Studies and twelve (12) Faculties, namely: Arts, Business Administration, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Law, Pharmacy, Social Sciences and Science. Today, the University of Lagos has been ranked as the first and best University in Nigeria and the 16th best in Africa. As at the last Convocation, the University has produced one hundred and forty- seven thousand, eight hundred and thirty five (147, 835) graduates, many of whom are captains of industry and a large compliment of who can be found at the helm of affairs in both the public and private sectors, locally and internationally. I want to assure you that our University will continue to march along the path of excellence and with the help of the Almighty; we are already on course to become the number one and best University in Africa. Golden Jubilee Convocation Gentlemen of the fourth estate of the realm, I am happy to announce through you to the world that the Golden Jubilee Convocation will take place in the Multi-Purpose Halls of the University on Wednesday, February 6 and Thursday, February 7, 2013 and the Main Auditorium of the University on Friday, February 8, 2013. Below is the programme of events for the Golden Jubilee Convocation Ceremonies: INVESTITURE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR/CONVOCATION LECTURE Date:                Tuesday, February 5, 2013        Event A:         Investiture of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rahamon A. Bello, FAEng Event B:        Convocation Lecture by Professor Munzali Jubril, Former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission Chairman:        Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Venue:        University of Lagos Main Auditorium, Main Campus, Akoka Time:                2.00 p.m. Event C:         Pre-Convocation Chancellor’s Cocktail Venue:        Chancellor’s Lodge, Main Campus, Akoka Time:                7.00 p.m. •        CONVOCATION DAY ONE Date:                Wednesday, February 6, 2013 Event A:        Congregation for the award of First Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates and Prizes of the Faculties of Arts, Education, Environmental Sciences, Science, Social Sciences and Distance Learning Institute. Venue:        Multipurpose Hall Complex, University of Lagos, Main Campus, Akoka Time:                10.00 a.m. Event B:        Convocation Play Title:                From Idi-Araba to Akoka: The Journey So Far Venue:        University of Lagos Main Auditorium, Main Campus, Akoka Time:                5.00 p.m. •        CONVOCATION DAY TWO Date:                Thursday, February 7, 2013        Event A:        Congregation for the award of Higher Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates and Prizes of the College of Medicine, Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, Law, Pharmacy and School of Postgraduate Studies. Venue:        Multipurpose Hall Complex, University of Lagos, Main Campus, Akoka Time:                10.00 a.m. Event B:        Alumni Reception Venue:        Guest Houses and Conference Centre Quadrangle, University of Lagos, Main Campus, Akoka Time:                6.00 p.m. •        CONVOCATION DAY THREE Date:                Friday, February 8, 2013                Event A:        Commissioning of projects by the Visitor- President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, Ph.D, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Time:                9.00 a.m. Venues:        HRDC Building (Second Gate), DLI Classroom Block & e-Resource(Second Gate),, Maternity Centre/Laboratory(Medical Centre), Simulation Laboratory (Faculty of Business Administration),  and 50th Anniversary Park (Lagoon Front). Event B:        Special Convocation for the Award of Honorary Doctorate Degrees, Distinguished Professor and Emeriti Professors. Venue:        University of Lagos Main Auditorium, Main Campus, Akoka Time:                11.00 a.m. Statistics of Graduating Students Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen, a total of six thousand, nine hundred and thirty- two (6,932) students who have successfully completed their studies will be awarded various Diplomas, Certificates and Degrees in the College of Medicine, Distance Learning Institute, School of Postgraduate Studies and Faculties of Arts, Business Administration, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Law, Pharmacy, Social Sciences and Science. The breakdown of the statistics of our graduating students is as follows: Faculty of Arts                                        315 Faculty of Business Administration                        467 Faculty of Education                                        354 Faculty of Engineering                                299 Faculty of Environmental Sciences                        218 Faculty of Law                                        194 Faculty of Pharmacy                                        98 Faculty of Social Sciences                                491 Faculty of Science                                        418 College of Medicine:  Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences and Dental Sciences                                        253 Distance Learning Institute                                557 School of Postgraduate Studies                        3,268 The breakdown of those being admitted to higher degrees is as follows: Postgraduate Diploma                                38 Masters Degree                                        3182 Master of Philosophy                                1 Doctor of Philosophy                                        47 An overall total of ninety one graduating students finished in the First Class Division. Amazingly this year, our three best graduating students and the best doctoral candidate are women. At this juncture, it is important to state that we are determined to continue our tradition of producing quality first class brains that can compete favourably with their counterparts in any part of the world. Honorary Degree Award Ladies and gentlemen, the University of Lagos Act 1962 permits the University to identify and honour eminent Nigerians who have contributed to the upliftment of humanity. I am therefore, happy to announce that to mark the University’s golden jubilee, the following three great men of dignity who have contributed in no small measure to the development of Nigeria in particular and the world in general are being honoured with Doctorate Degrees of our University: 1.        Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE, was the only Prime Minister of an Independent Nigeria and he was one of the founding fathers of the University of Lagos in 1962. He was a great Nigerian who in fact laid the foundation stone of this University that has become a colossus in Nigerian University education. 2.        Chief Arthur Christopher Izuegbunam Mbanefo Chief Arthur Christopher Izuegbunam Mbanefo was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos from 1984 to 1985. At different times, he was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Councils of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Nations in New York, USA. He is a promoter of qualitative education and has contributed immensely to the growth of University education in Nigeria. He has also donated an e-Resource Research Centre to the University. 3.        Chief Emmanuel Afe Babalola Chief Emmanuel Afe Babalola was the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos between 2001 and 2008. He recorded several milestones such as the launch of UNILAG’s $500 million (N72 billion) endowment drive and the donation of the Afe Babalola Auditorium. His current efforts at the Afe Babalola University are laudable. Appointment of Emeriti Professors Gentlemen of the Press, the University will honour the following six world class scholars with Emeriti Professorship: 1.        Professor (Mrs) Yetunde Mercy Olumide, retired Professor of Medicine; 2.        Professor V.O.S. Olunloyo, NNOM, retired Professor of Systems Engineering; 3.        Professor A.A. Susu, NNOM,  retired Professor of Chemical Engineering; 4.        Professor I.A. Adalemo, retired Professor of Geography and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University; 5.        Professor P.O. Adeniyi, retired Professor of Geography and former Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure; and 6.        Professor L.Oyebande, retired Professor of Geography and former Provost, College of Science and Technology, Abeokuta (COSTAB). Appointment of Distinguished Professor The University will appoint Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (2000-2007) and current Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Ndufe-Alike Igwo, Ebonyi State, as Distinguished Professor of this University. Commissioning of Projects Gentlemen of the press, we will seize the opportunity of our 2012 Golden Jubilee Convocation to commission important projects crucial to effective teaching and conduct of research in this University. The projects include the Laboratory Centre and Maternity donated by Chief Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu, Human Resources Development Centre (HRDC), Simulation Laboratory for the Faculty of Business Administration, Unilag 50th Anniversary Park and Distance Learning Institute (DLI) e-Resource Facilities. As the concluding part of the 50th year anniversary celebrations, a book on the 50- year history of the University of Lagos will be presented to the public at a date to be announced later. New Developments Permit me to unveil some of the new developments in the pipeline. Necessary machinery has been put in place to ensure that this University becomes an e-University in terms of both teaching and administration in the next few months. As part of the upgrading of teaching and infrastructure, each classroom will have an interactive ICT board and internet connectivity. Also, the Nigerian Maritime Administrative and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is building a Maritime Institute worth one billion naira in our Faculty of Science. The University of Lagos was chosen for this project due to its pool of intellectuals, its contributions to national development, topography and location near the Lagoon. Following on the heels of NIMASA is the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). It has commenced the construction of an ultra-modern “Centre of Excellence” project in the University. When completed, the project will have an academic facility and a five-star hostel. Based on the foregoing, I want to assure you that in the next five years, the University of Lagos will be the best and number one in Africa. As a policy, the University has adopted to change the skyline of the University to make it the urban University that it is. Henceforth, all new key buildings will have to be designed for minimally 12 floors, even if we are commencing with just 4 or 5 floors. This will ease expansion in the future. A 25-year strategic plan had been approved for the University of Lagos. This will soon be published. It is the document that is being worked and will be worked to take the University of Lagos to the global arena; in line with the vision. Gentlemen of the Press, let me thank you once again for being here today. On behalf of staff and students of this University, I wish you all a happy and blissful new year. God bless the University of Lagos. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.