A former governor of Ekiti State and chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has praised Second Republic governor of Lagos State, Dr. Lateef Jakande, for his vision and foresight in founding the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo and ensuring that it has a strong foundation.
In a statement issued yesterday by the head, Fayemi media office, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, Fayemi recalled that when LASU was established 40 years ago, there was skepticism about its quality.
“Forty years after, the skeptics have been proved wrong. For this, one must commend the vision and foresight of the political leaders at the time exemplified by the incomparable LKJ, the late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande,’’ Fayemi said.
He said political parties of the defunct Second Republic implemented consistent policies across the states they governed.
“The LOOBO (for Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Bendel and Ogun) states also established similar universities in Ogun, Ondo, and Bendel, thereby pioneering the establishment of state universities, much like the regional universities in Ife, Nsukka and Zaria founded by the regional governments in the 1960s,” he said.
He made the remarks during the convocation of LASU on Thursday where he was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree.
As part of the 40th-anniversary celebrations and the 26th convocation, LASU awarded honorary doctorate degrees to Fayemi, former Lagos State governor and immediate past minister of works and housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), former speaker of the House of Representatives and incumbent chief of staff to the president Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
Fayemi was honoured for his impact in the areas of human rights, national integration and African security development.
The former Ekiti governor commended the successive administrations of Lagos State for their continuous efforts in advancing the growth and development of LASU.
‘’One must also commend the diligence and passion put into the growth and development of the university by successive governors,’’ Fayemi said.
He asserted that the right visioning and good leadership have made LASU one of the best universities in the country.
“A cursory glance at the latest University Webometric Survey indicates that in terms of quality and standard, Lagos State University ranks amongst the most sought-after in the country,’’ he said.
The former governor pledged to continue to commit himself to the good of Nigeria.
He said, ‘’Although my work as governor of Ekiti State is done, nation-building is a journey, not a destination. One can only pledge that one will continue to be an active partisan in the ranks of that battalion of Nigerians determined to ensure that we see the country of our dreams in our lifetime. Let us hold the dream that Nigeria will rise again.”
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