Governor Sanwo-Olu has announced a cash reward of N10 million to the best-graduating student of the Lagos State University (LASU), Mr. Olaniyi Mubaraq Olawale, at the 27th Convocation Ceremony held last Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the main campus of the university.
A total of 11,195 graduands for the 2022/2023 academic session, comprising 554 Diploma students, 8,477 students for First Degree programmes, and 2,164 Postgraduate students (Postgraduate Diplomas, Academic Master, Professional Master, Doctor of Philosophy and Professional Doctoral Degrees) graduated at the ceremony.
Also, the Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest political advisory body in the state, Prince Tajudeen Olusi received an Honorary Doctor of Literature (History, Education and Community Development) while industrialist, Dr. Samuel Adedoyin also got an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (Commerce, Industry and National Development).
The ranks of Emeritus Professor and Distinguished Professor went to Martins Anetekhai and Amidu Olalekan Sanni, respectively.
Sanwo-Olu, who was at the ceremony as the Visitor, said: “Today, we honour your lifetime dedication to academic excellence, your passion for teaching and your groundbreaking contributions to your fields. Your wisdom, expertise and experience are very much treasured and still needed. Continue to share your insights, mentor future leaders and inspire discoveries.
“To the prominent personalities being awarded Honorary Doctorate Degrees for service to humanity and national development, we are honoured to associate with you and benefit from your wealth of experience and benevolence.”
He added: “And to our best-graduating student for the 2022/2023 session. Olaniyi Mubaraq Olawale of the Accounting Education Department, with a CGPA of 4.98 – First Class Honours, this is a moment of great pride, not just for you, but for all of us.
“To celebrate and honour you, I am announcing a cash gift of 10 million naira in recognition and honour of your outstanding feat. I believe that someone out there is working very hard to be the next Olaniyi Olawale, and I want to encourage you, wherever you might be now, to keep your eyes on that goal, and make us all, as well as yourself, very proud.
“After years of putting in the work, burning the midnight candle, today’s Lagos State University has come to a privileged place that marks both the end of a very important chapter of their lives and the start of another journey.”
Sanwo-Olu further said, “I am delighted to acknowledge that Lagos State University has continued to live up to the high expectations of its founding fathers.
“I recognise the University’s commendable resilience as well as its dedication to promoting academic excellence, evident in the quality of graduates produced annually.
“The products of this great University continue to excel both in learning and character, fully qualified to meet the manpower needs of our dear State, and of Nigeria. I am proud to note that recently, the State appointed 10 LASU law alumni as Judges of the Lagos High Court.
“Be inspired by this ceremony, where individuals are being celebrated for excelling in their various fields, and let it serve as a catalyst to drive you to achieve even more in your chosen areas of study.
“As a society we have a responsibility to send a strong message out that academic excellence must never be underestimated or taken for granted in our society; our young people must see reason to hunger for it with the same energy and enthusiasm reserved these days for artistic and sporting success.
“It is crucial to recognise the enduring importance of education; its inestimable value as a major tool for addressing societal needs and human development. As leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that the products of our educational system remain relevant and effective in proffering solutions to societal problems.”
In her speech, the Vice Chancellor said, “Today marks a significant milestone in the cherished history of annual convocation ceremonies, a globally honoured academic tradition. I am therefore very proud to welcome our honorary awardees, well-wishers and guests who have converged on our campus to share in this celebration. The university is immensely grateful to you for honouring its invitation,” he added.
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