Connect with us


BIG STORY

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

Published

on

  • 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

BON Awards Release Line-Up Of Activities Ahead Of November 24

Published

on

  • Kwara First Lady To Join Segun Arinze, Wole Ojo Others For Book-Reading

As the Nigerian film industry gets set for the annual pan-Nigerian Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, scheduled to be held on Sunday, November 24, at the Sugar Factory in Ilorin, Kwara State, the organisers of the travelling awards have released a line-up of activities, alongside other highlights of the 16th edition.

This year’s event is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience, featuring a variety of engaging activities, including a book reading session and the unveiling of new award categories.

A key highlight of the pre-award festivities will be the welcome party scheduled for Saturday, November 23rd in Ilorin. This will be followed by the Book of the Year reading on the morning of November 24, showcasing “Do As You Are Told, Bani” by the acclaimed author Lola Shoneyin.

Esteemed personalities, including the First Lady of Kwara State and well-known Nollywood actors like Segun Arinze, Wole Ojo, Kemi Adekomi, Cynthia Clarke, and Chioma Okafor, will participate in the reading. This session aims to inspire and engage the youths, specifically a select number of school children from Ilorin, Kwara State.

Also, the 2024 BON Awards has been revealed that four of its major award categories have been endowed by notable figures and organisations. The endowed categories include:

Best Indigenous Movie – Endowed by Oba Saheed Eleguishi, a distinguished traditional ruler and arts patron. Best Use of Food – Endowed by Abundish Limited, an agricultural product wholesaler cum grocery market in Lekki, Lagos.

The Best Actress category is also endowed by the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Moji Ojora, a well-known philanthropist and public servant dedicated to women’s empowerment. While the movie with the Best Social Message is endowed by Hon. Toke Benson, the Lagos Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, and a prominent advocate for social issues.

According to the founder of the Best of Nollywood Awards, these new endowments promise to enhance the awards’ prestige by taking it to the next level and also offer greater recognition for excellence in these fields.

As the seven-day countdown to the 2024 BON Awards begins, and the excitement is building, Feranmi Olaoye, the Executive Director of the awards has promised that this year is not just another gala night but a getaway weekend for hardworking Nollywood practitioners, and others within the Nollywood community.

With the awards’ unique blend of celebrity-filled events and meaningful high-impact initiatives, this year’s ceremony is poised to leave a significant mark on the entertainment industry and the wider Nigerian cultural scene.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Rises To 33.8% As Food Prices’ Surge Continues

Published

on

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that Nigeria’s inflation rate reached 33.88 percent in October, up from 32.7 percent in September.

This data is outlined in the NBS’ latest consumer price index (CPI) report for October, published on Friday.

The CPI tracks the rate of change in the prices of goods and services.

According to the NBS, the headline inflation rate in October increased by “1.18% points when compared to the September 2024 headline inflation rate.”

“On a year-on-year basis, the Headline inflation rate was 6.55% points higher than the rate recorded in October 2023 (27.33%),” the NBS stated.

“This indicates that the Headline inflation rate (on a year-on-year basis) increased in October 2024 compared to the same month in the previous year (i.e., October 2023).”

“Additionally, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in October 2024 was 2.64%, which was 0.12% higher than the rate recorded in September 2024 (2.52%).”

“This means that in October 2024, the rate of increase in the average price level was higher than the rate of increase in the average price level in September 2024.”

  • ‘INCREASE IN RICE, YAM PUSHED FOOD INFLATION RATE TO 39.16%’

The NBS also revealed that the food inflation rate in October soared to 39.16 percent, up from 33.77 percent in September.

On a year-on-year basis, the food inflation rate was 7.64 percent higher compared to the rate recorded in October 2023 (31.52 percent).

“The rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis was driven by increases in prices of items such as guinea corn, rice, maize grains, etc. (Bread and Cereals Class), Yam, Water Yam, Coco Yam, etc. (Potatoes, Yam & Other Tubers Class), Palm Oil, Vegetable Oil, etc. (Oil and Fats Class), and Milo Lipton, Bourvita, etc. (Coffee, Tea & Cocoa Class),” the bureau explained.

The report also highlighted that the month-on-month food inflation rate in October was 2.94 percent, showing an increase of 0.3 percent compared to the 2.64 percent recorded in September.

“The rise can be attributed to the rate of increase in the average prices of Palm Oil, Vegetable oil, etc. (Oil & Fats Class), Mudfish, Croaker (Apo), Fresh fish (Obokun), etc. (Fish Class), Dried Beef, Goat Meat, Mutton, Skin meat, etc. (Meat Class), and Bread, Guinea Corn flour, Plantain flour, Rice, etc. (Bread and Cereals Class),” the NBS added.

“The average annual rate of food inflation for the twelve months ending October 2024, compared to the previous twelve-month average, was 38.12%, an 11.79% point increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in October 2023 (26.33%).”

The report also noted that Sokoto state (52.18 percent), Edo (46.55 percent), and Borno (45.85 percent) experienced the highest food inflation in October, while Kwara (31.68 percent), Kogi (33.30 percent), and Rivers (33.87 percent) recorded the slowest increases in food inflation on a year-on-year basis.

In terms of month-on-month food inflation, Adamawa (5.08 percent), Sokoto (4.86 percent), and Yobe (4.34 percent) states had the highest rates.

According to the NBS, states such as Kwara (1.11 percent), Ondo (1.31 percent), and Kogi (1.50 percent) had the slowest rise in food inflation in October 2024.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Blackmailing Of GTCO, CEO: Court Constrained To Grant Bloggers Bail Due To History Of Being Serial Offenders

Published

on

Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered an accelerated trial of the four bloggers charged with defaming and cyberstalking the management of GTCO (Guaranty Trust Holding Company), including its Group CEO, Mr. Segun Agbaje.

The four accused—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—are facing 10 amended charges for allegedly publishing false information about the company through various social media platforms.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on the 13th and 14th of November, Justice Faji also dismissed the bail applications, citing the serious nature of the alleged offences, which include charges that could lead to up to 14 years in prison.

The judge also held that one of the defendants – Precious Eze has shown the tendency to commit a similar offence again if let out as he is currently charged with a similar offence in another court and was only on bail when he went ahead to commit the alleged offence for which he is now standing trial.

Justice Faaji also highlighted the potentially destabilizing impact such actions could have on the banking sector, particularly since some of the charges involve cross-border activities on the Internet.

The defense counsel, Afolabi Adeniyi, had at the last hearing of the matter while moving an application for bail for the accused persons argued that the defendants should be granted bail on liberal terms, emphasizing that the charges were bailable and that the accused were willing to face trial.

Opposing the application, the prosecution Counsel, Chief Aribisala, SAN, urged the court to reject the bail request, highlighting the risk of the defendants absconding and stressing the need for an expedited trial.

In delivering his ruling, Justice Faji not only denied bail but also ordered an accelerated trial, underlining the gravity of the charges.

He also noted that the defendants’ actions challenged the authority of regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which had approved GTCO’s audited statements.

The matter has been adjourned until the 10th and 12th of December for continuation of the trial.

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular