Outgoing LASU VC advises successor on patience, commitment

The outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has urged her successor,  Prof. Ayodeji Badejo,to lead with wisdom, patience and commitment.

Olatunji-Bello gave the advice on Sunday evening in Lagos at an event organised in her honour by the Centre for General Nigerian Studies, LASU.

The event had the theme: “More Prayer, More Commitment and Finishing Strong”.

It was aimed to celebrate Olatunji-Bello’s tenure as LASU Vice-Chancellor from 2021 to 2026.

It was reported that Badejo, a Professor of Guidance and Counselling, will assume duty on Sept. 20.

Olatunji-Bello urged the incoming vice-chancellor to ensure that every decision taken would benefit the institution, staff and students.

“She will have what we call, in the Bible, long-suffering. It is called patience,” she said.

“I pray fervently for her. She will do well. She will excel. She will take LASU to even greater heights.”

Olatunji-Bello expressed gratitude to God for guiding her administration and enabling it to record significant achievements.

She said she committed the university to God’s care from the beginning of her tenure.

“Every morning I enter LASU, I ask God to continue to take charge,” she said.

The vice-chancellor said she devoted time to pray for the university, its students and staff before attending to official duties.

She thanked the governing council, management, staff, students, her friends and family members for support throughout her tenure.

Olatunji-Bello said her administration took decisions through consultation, discussions and careful consideration of recommendations.

“When times were rough, it was Him that I called on,” she said.

She said her administration overcame several challenges, including students’ protests and difficulties surrounding computer-based examinations.

Olatunji-Bello said the challenges led to the development of alternative examination arrangements and conception of the university’s 2,000-seat Computer Test Centre.

The vice-chancellor also said a 3,000-seat auditorium for LASU had been included in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund budget.

She urged the university community to maintain its infrastructure and  facilities.

Olatunji-Bello said her administration constructed toilets across LASU campuses to improve students’ welfare, particularly that of female students.

She also highlighted staff recreational facilities and other welfare initiatives as measures to promote a conducive work environment.

Earlier, Prof. Adenike Boyo, a former LASU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), said Olatunji-Bello’s tenure demonstrated the importance of prayer, commitment and perseverance.

Boyo, who spoke on the theme of the celebration, said prayer, competence and discipline were essential for effective university leadership.

“Vision without prayer is ignorance. Prayer without commitment is a sentiment, and commitment without discipline to finish is incomplete,” she said.

She described Olatunji-Bello as a leader who retained her values, demonstrated attention to detail and remained committed to institutional development.

Boyo said the vice-chancellor’s leadership had contributed to infrastructure development, staff welfare, academic expansion and financial sustainability.

She commended Olatunji-Bello’s administration for establishing new faculties and introducing academic programmes in response to emerging educational needs.

The former deputy vice-chancellor urged Olatunji-Bello to remain prayerful and committed during the final days of her tenure.

She also encouraged the university community to uphold peace, research, integrity and service.

Boyo prayed that God would sustain Olatunji-Bello and bring her work to a successful completion.

Prof. Mubashiru Mohammed, Convener of the event and Director of Centre for General Nigerian Studies, LASU, thanked Olatunji-Bello for efforts to take LASU to greater heights.

The event brought together members of the university community, including principal officers, professors and directors.