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Sanwo-Olu Awards N10 Million Cash Prize To LASU’s Valedictorian, As Varsity Graduates 11,195

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  • Stage set to deploy solution-based knowledge — Governor tells graduands
  • We’ve sustained finest academic tradition — VC

The grand finale of the 27th convocation of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, has been concluded, with the school’s Best Graduating Student, Olaniyi Mubaraq Olawale, going home with N10 million cash prize awarded by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Olawale, a graduate of the Department of Accounting Education, finished with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.98.

The university produced 8,477 graduands across 10 faculties, who completed their first degrees in 2022/2023 academic year. For four consecutive sessions, the school has maintained its graduation order, sustaining its academic reputation.

The school Visitor, Gov. Sanwo-Olu, congratulated the graduands for the successful completion of their programmes, noting that their attendance of the school was a privileged opportunity that would unlock their full potential.

The Governor said LASU had consistently upheld the tenets of its guiding principles and expectations of its founding fathers, praising the school’s resilience and dedication to promoting academic excellence.

This, Sanwo-Olu said, was evident in the quality of graduates the university produced yearly, adding that LASU’s alumni were equipped with quality training to excel both in learning and character, just as they are qualified to meet the manpower needs of the State and the nation.

He said: “Today marks a significant milestone for the graduands of the 2022/2023 academic session of the Lagos State University, after years of putting in the hard work and burning the midnight candle to excel various fields and programmes. You have come to a privileged moment that marks both the end of an important chapter of your lives, and the start of another chapter.

“Having conquered the peak of academic study, demonstrating unparalleled dedication and intellectual rigour, you must now strive to operate at a level of impact that reflects the outstanding knowledge you have garnered. You must push the boundaries of human knowledge and achievement.

“Your time on the campus has not been about academics alone; it is about purpose, personal growth and self-discovery. You have no doubt faced and surmounted many obstacles, and your sacrifices have now paid off. As you venture into the world, I implore you to act with integrity, live solution-focused lives, and stay resolute and focused in the pursuit of your dreams.”

As the third most subscribed university in the country, Sanwo-Olu said he was proud of the school’s “outstanding accomplishments” during his administration, stressing that LASU was ranked the Best State University in West Africa sub-region by GreenMetric World University Ranking — a feat made possible by consistent investment committed to the school by his Government.

The university, the Governor added, is designated as an African Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative Stem Education (ACEITSE), while also ranked the Best State-owned University, and ninth Overall Best University in the country.

Sanwo-Olu said his administration recognised quality education as a tool for addressing societal needs and human development, pointing out that his Government’s education agenda was predicated on the need to foster a generation of innovative thinkers, problem-solvers and great leaders that would drive sustainable development in Lagos and beyond.

He said: “LASU is recognised as Nigeria’s Most Digitally Advanced State University and Fifth Best University in Graduate Employability in Nigeria. It is crucial to appreciate the enduring importance of education. We recognise that sustaining a world-class university requires significant financial investment.

“As leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that graduates of our educational system remain relevant and effective in proffering solutions to societal problems. As we seek to surpass previous achievements and maintain the upward trajectory of the university’s growth and development, we will live up to all our responsibilities, as envisioned in our T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda.”

The Chancellor, Prof. Gbolahan Elias, SAN, thanked the Governor for prioritising the welfare of the university students and staff, noting that the school had benefited from its collaboration with town.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said the school, since her appointment in 2021, had achieved a stabilised environment, while projecting the finest academic tradition to sustain the dream of its founding fathers.

She disclosed that the school recorded another milestone in its academics, creating five fresh faculties to train manpower and launch solution-based research in 20 newly accredited programmes to further improve human capital in the country.

The VC listed the new faculties to include, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, School of Tourism, Film, Performing Arts and Cultural Studies, and also School of Library, Archival and Information Science, which is the first in any university in West Africa.

Prof. Olatunji-Bello added that students had already been admitted into the new faculties for the current 2023/2024 session.

“This administration is committed to positioning LASU as a profound research and learning hub for students yearning for most up-to-date knowledge and skill set that meet the needs of the 21st century industry. At LASU, students are equipped with right mix of knowledge to transform society and increase its prosperity for the benefit of humanity,” the VC said.

Of the 8,477 graduands awarded first degrees, 153 finished with a First Class, while 3,029 graduated with Second Class (Upper Division), 4,350 got Second Class (Lower Division), 715 had Third class, and 228 are graduated with a Pass.

Also, the university graduated 2,164 across 13 Faculties in its School of Post-graduate Studies, including Post-graduate Diplomas, Academic Master’s, Professional Master’s, Doctor of Philosophy and Professional Doctoral degrees.

Five hundred and fifty-four candidates were awarded Diploma certificates.

Two LASU’s scholars — Prof. Amidu Olalekan Sanni and Prof. Martins Agenuma Anetekhai — were elevated to the ranks of Emeritus Professor and Distinguished Professor respectively.

An elder statesman, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, and frontline industrialist, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, became recipients of Doctorate Degrees (Honoris Causa) for their service to humanity and contribution national development.

Olusi, an 88-year-old Lagos indigene and community leader, was honoured with Doctor of Literature, History, Education and Community Development.

Adedoyin, an octogenarian industrialist and indigene of Kwara State, was awarded Doctor of Humane Letters, Industry and National Development, for his philanthropic work in the school, Lagos and the country.

Sanwo-Olu congratulated the honorary degree awardees, saying: “You are both exemplary role models and trailblazers and champions of positive change. These awards are a call for you to continue building, inspiring and mentoring.”

BIG STORY

Music Band Boy Commits Suicide After Boss Tortured Him For Stealing “Sprayed Money” [VIDEO]

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A Lagos young guitarist identified as Lekan, has allegedly committed suicide after being tortured for stealing money from the leader of a music band group in Ogun State.

Lekan, who was pronounced dead by medical experts at a private hospital in Ifo Local Government Area of the state, was found lying lifeless inside his room after drinking an insecticide liquid, “sniper,” to get away from the trauma that trailed the allegations from his boss who was identified as Sam Omo-Oba.

It was learnt that the deceased was tortured and recorded alongside Ayo, another member of the band, for stealing the money realized from their performance at a Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) anniversary celebration where they entertained guests and worshippers.

The development has thrown the entire Oke-Aro community in Ifo Local Government into mourning, considering the circumstances surrounding the demise of the 26-year-old guitarist who lived in their community but operated often in Lagos.

On Wednesday, a close member of the family told our correspondent that Lekan was pronounced dead by medical experts on Monday, less than 24 hours after they left the church show on Sunday. The source, who identified himself as Kola, narrated that the family, even after seeing him lifeless still rushed him to hospital with a commercial motorcycle popularly called “Okada.”

“He was rushed to a private hospital to save him but the medical facility rejected the family request which prompted the move to another healthcare facility where the doctors pronounced him dead”.

Kola explained that the theft allegation, which was linked to the young artist’s demise, started after Sam Omo-Oba asked that members of his band who could not go home spend the night in his house.

“But they could not spend the night in his house because he was not allowed into the estate, so they decided to lodge at a hotel close to the community.

“While in the hotel, we heard that Sam and the band members drank and slept in the same room. In the morning, the band boss raised an alarm that Lekan and Ayo had stolen money inside his pocket, demanding they return it immediately”.

It was gathered that the deceased guitarist maintained the innocence of the crime he was being linked to during the torture. In the video making rounds online, Lekan was seen being allegedly tortured over the theft despite denying any link to the alleged crime perpetrated.

In the less than one-minute video, Lekan and Ayo were seen being questioned about who took the money and their responses attracted torture after the answers failed to meet expectations of the band leader.

In another video, a voice, suspected to be that of Sam Omo-Oba, was heard announcing that some notes had been discovered where the deceased and Ayo allegedly hid them.

Analyzing the videos, a resident of Oke-Aro who identified himself as Micheal told The Guild that the deceased was wrongly accused of theft, saying, “I know Lekan, rather than steal would prefer to work to earn his pay daily. And since our paths crossed, I have not earned that he stole from people”.

He added, “The torture and recording may have affected him psychologically that he considered suicide as the next option. I say this because, on his body, there were bruises on him which indicated that the torture was too much for him.

“I know him since he started playing drum under Kehinde Carlos and I have no record of theft linked to him. You can see it that the video showed the deceased insisting that he never took the money from his boss even when he was beaten to accept the allegations.

“The entire issue is sad and I can’t believe that Lekan is gone. I wish that this whole scenario could be reversed to avoid this tragedy. This is a young man with aspirations in the music industry. I know how he aspired to handle musical instruments for the big artists in the country. But now, all the dreams have been shattered”.

Efforts to get the Ogun Police Command spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, to confirm the sad development proved abortive.

 

Credit: The Guild

 

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BIG STORY

Doctor, Three Nurses Die In Same Hospital Within 72 Hours In Saki, Oyo State

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A doctor and three nurses have been reported dead in a hospital in Saki West Local Government Area of Oyo State within 72 hours.

According to Vanguard News, this has created panic among residents of the ancient town, particularly around the hospital.

The hospital has been identified as Almusharaf Hospital, Oke Sunah.

A resident of the area, Adekunle Lawal, told Vanguard News: “Three days ago, one nurse died and on Monday another nurse died and yesterday, the doctor and another nurse died.

“We are afraid because we don’t know what caused their deaths.

“The doctor is a quack doctor.

“Maybe all of them treated a patient who has a contagious disease, which, I think, was not well handled.

“It’s a very big hospital.

“They carry out minor surgery on patients and at times they invite doctors from elsewhere to join them.

“If it’s a contagious disease, how come that no patient died but the staff?

“People are also speculating that it could be food poisoning.

“Maybe one of them ate food and gave it to the others to eat.

“We don’t know.

“All these are mere assumptions until those responsible for monitoring these hospitals carry out an autopsy on the deceased.

“None of the patients died.

“It’s only the staff of the hospital.

“All of them have been buried.

“You know they are Muslims.

“Please, the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies should step in.”

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BIG STORY

President Tinubu Determined To Eliminate Bandits, Terrorists — Nuhu Ribadu

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The National Security Adviser, “Nuhu Ribadu,” has warned that obstructing security under President “Bola Tinubu’s” administration will not be tolerated.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ribadu made this statement at the Comptroller General of Customs Conference in Abuja on Wednesday, emphasising the President’s determination to eliminate bandits, terrorists, and other security threats.

According to him, the government’s high-level strategies had led to the killing of hundreds of bandits daily, forcing many to flee to Chad.

“This prompted the Chadian president to declare war on them.”

“We will secure this country, we will fix it, we are not jokers,” he said.

“Ribadu” assured that the government was working tirelessly to achieve a secure environment, which is crucial for the country’s development.

He cited the improved security situation in the Niger Delta region and the significant increase in crude oil production, which had reached 1.8 million barrels per day.

“Many parts of our country today are living in peace. Go to the Niger Delta, things have changed,” he added.

The NSA urged Nigerians to be patient in the face of the current challenges, as the government’s policies were designed to sanitise the system and improve the economy.

He noted that the “Central Bank of Nigeria” was being reformed, adding that “Naira” would be stabilised.

“Ribadu” also commended the achievements of the “Nigeria Customs Service” and encouraged career officers to aspire to leadership positions, stressing that opportunities for growth were now available to them.

The NAN reports that the conference, which began on Tuesday, is scheduled to end on Friday.

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