LASU VC GIVES STEWARDSHIP ACCOUNT OF 1095 DAYS IN OFFICE (UPDATED)

The program which started slightly behind schedule did at exactly 11:15am with opening prayers from both the Islamic and Christian faith. Thereafter, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa (VC LASU) stepped up to the podium to read out the achievements of his 1095days in office (a sojourn he began on Tuesday November, 1st, 2011.).

Prof. Obafunwa (7th Vice Chancellor of the institution)  started on a funny note stating that we are celebrating 195 days  in office, the reaction from the students present gave him the sign that he had given a wrong representation of the day as he quickly corrected himself.

He however excused himself, saying "the whole idea was not mine, I never conceived it". It was conceived by some group of individual and suggested to him, he was convinced that there was need for him to give an account of his achievement since assuming office, and so he welcomed it.

He progressed by giving credit to the Governing council, members of the management team, Deans and Heads of faculty and Units, Directors, Staffs, Students and critics alike as he could not have done it alone.

He apologised to individuals and groups whose toe he had stepped on in the process of making LASU a better place.

From L-R Deputy VC Adminintration Prof. Fidelis Njokanma, VC-Prof. Obafunwa, Deputy VC Academics Prof. Sena Bakre

Some members of Academic Staff Union of University LASU branch at the entrance of the event a vote of no confidence on the VC and his administration in a document that was circulated.

He pointed out inadequate funding, environmental challenges among others as problems LASU is facing, he however assured that the University is waxing stronger and will get over its problem amidst union activities, the door is always open for dialogue, he concluded.

Finally, he gives his score card for the period of 1095 days in office.

1. LASU SCHOOL OF TRANSPORT BUILDING - COMPLETED AND COMMISIONED BY GOVERNOR
2. LASU RADIO - COMPLETED WITH ON-GOING TEST TRANSMISSION
3. UNIVERSITY LANGUAGE LABORATORY - COMPLETED
4. RENOVATION OF 3 in 1 LECTURE THEATRE, FACULTY OF EDUCATION - COMPLETED
5. FACE LIFT OF UNIV. HEALTH CENTRE, LIBRARY, MBA, STAFF QUARTERS, AND PG SCHOOL
6. CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FOR LASU, OJO CAMPUS
7. CONVOCATION FOR THREE(3) CONSECUTIVE YEAR, THE FOURTH IS SCHEDULED TO COME UP FEBRUARY, 2015 AS AGREED BY SENATE.
8. 7-STOREY SENATE BUILDING AT 40% COMPLETION
9. 4 - STOREY UNIV. ULTRA MODERN LIBRARY AT 30% COMPLETION
10. FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE COMPLEX AT 10% COMPLETION
11. LASU HOMES - THREE(3) BLOCKS OF 12 FLATS EACH FOR STAFF ACCOMODATION AT 10% COMPLETION
12. STUDENY UNION ARCADE BUILDING - 85% COMPLETION
13. EFFECTIVE DRAINAGE NETWORK SYSTEM
14. CONSTRUCTION OF CAR PARK BEHIND BLOCK II (ON-GOING), CAR PARK AT BANK PREMISES (SCHEDULED).
15. VC's COCKTAIL QUADRANGLE (BETWEEN BLOCK I AND II)- UNDER CONSTRUCTION
16. DEED OF GIFT FOR AGEMOWO-MOSAFEJO LAND DONATED TO LASU BY LATE JUSTICE ELIAS
17. SECURING OF PAPERS IN SUPPORT OF LASU-EPE LAND AS GIVEN TO LASU BY LATE SIR MICHAEL OTEDOLA
18. 2 in 1 LECTURE THEATRE, FACULTY OF LAW AT 95% COMPLETION
19. RENOVATION OF BLOCK I & II - ONGOING
20. SPEED UP OF STUDENT REGISTRATION PROCESS AND RELEASE OF RESULT UNDER 3 - 4 WEEK, ETC.

QUESTION AND ANSWER TIME
Just like any other presentation, questions will arise and answers must be provided. Whether the answers are genuine or otherwise remains the judgement of the person asking the question.



The following question were entertained from the member of press present (all to the VC).

1. Have you step on any Banana peel, if yes how did you get out of it.
2. Are you bothered about the present University ranking and what program do you have getting to the top of the ranking
3. There are information on the withdrawal of some PhD. certificates of some lecturers, how true is this and what necessitated this action.
4. What are you doing about External system students who have graduated and are yet to get their certificates
5. What is your greatest challenge ever during your 1095 days in office
6. Any regrets so far on actions taken vis-a-vis issues relating to reduction in school fees among others
7. How would you ensure that students across all campuses get fair and equal treatment irrespective of the fact that they are on the main campus or satellite campus

The VC in his response gave the following submission
On Banana peel

Yes I have and have always meander around it.

On present University Ranking

A lot of things are factored into the ranking, infrastructure, human resource both academic and non-academic, overall student performance, course accreditation (Out of 62 courses in LASU, 61 have either full or partial accreditation) among others. LASU has a lot going right in almost all the conditions that leads to a good ranking.

On withdrawal of some PhD certificates

Yes, it is indeed a fact and I believe its justified. If someone applies for a particular discipline and writes his/her dissertation on the field, there is no justification in awarding a doctoral degree on another field. For instance, someone applied for MPhil International Business and gets a certificate of PhD. Marketing (International Business), this is wrong as there is no double honour as far as PhD is concerned. More importantly, the University can only award certificates for program it offers, simply put...you can't give what yo do not have.

On External System Students

Most of the claims are not genuine, few genuine cases are being treated, while some have been treated.

On regrets so far on action taken (School fees)

Yes,  but it depends on the side of the divide you belong. If you look at it from the perspective revenue generation then its on the bad side. He quickly used the opportunity to inform students of their refund, that the delay is due to bureaucracy.

On fair treatment across all campuses

There are no complaint so far, but we are working to ensure everyone is fairly treated.