LAGOS—GOVERNOR Bola Tinubu of Lagos State, has inaugurated a 16- man governing council for the Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo with a charge to ensure the repositioning. and remodeling of the institution into an international standard, just as the state government has earmarked the sum of N5 billion for the rehabilitation projects of its public primary and secondary schools to run over the next two years.
The governing council headed by Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun (Managing Director Habib Bank Plc) as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman also has as members Mr. Wale Tinubu, (MD Oando Plc); Dr. Toyin Phillips ( Ex. Director IBA Plc); Mr. Fola Adeola (Former MD GTB Plc); Mr. Tunde Folawiyo (Ex Director of Folawiyo Group of Companies); Mr. Tayo Aderinokun (MD Magnum Trust Bank Plc); Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), Dr. Gbolahan Eliäs, Mr Jim Ovia, Mr. Tunde Dabiri and Dr. Ibilola Tunji-Bello.
Speaking at the inauguration, Governor Tinubu urged the council members “to devise creative strategies for effectively funding the university education while at the same time developing methods and means of not denying indigent students access to tertiary education”.
Stating that the state could not continue to singularly fund education while those who can afford to buy education for their wards still avail themselves of tuition free tertiary education, the governor said the contemporary practice was for all stakeholders to fund education.
His words: “The challenge before the new council is to work closely with the University Administration to make LASU a role model of a modern university of the highest international standard. Our goal must be to transform the university into a world-class institution that produces highly trained graduates with relevant skills for the emerging global economy. This will require hard thinking, tough decisions and the will to implement them.
“I will certainly not be exaggerating if I say that the cost of acquiring higher education at LASU must be one of the lowest in the world with students paying as low as N250 per session. Yet we have a situation whereby some parents spend between N300,000.00 and N500,000.00 on their children in primary and secondary schools. The same children are admitted into LASU and receive university education virtually free of charge. The irony does not end there. Some of such students after graduating from LASU are sent abroad to obtain higher degrees for which their parents are willing to pay millions of dollars”.
“It is obvious that we cannot continue like this. The challenge is to devise creative strategies for effectively funding university education while at the same time developing methods and means of not denying indigent students access to tertiary education.
“This will include the establishment of a fully funded scholarship board to provide scholarships, bursaries and loans to indigent students while those who can afford to pay must contribute their quota to the funding of LASU”.
Promising to ensure prompt attention to suggestions concerning the laws governing the institution, the governor said all efforts at ensuring that the varsity remains an autonomous entity will be given a pride of place.
While bemoaning the state of infrastructure in the institution and attendant problems of gangsterism, cultism, incessant staff agitation/student unrest, inadequate funding and low level of moral, the governor urged the council to ensure a paradigm shift to put the institution on a higher pedestal.
Responding on behalf of the council, the new pro-chancellor and chairman Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun said the council will evolve ways and means by which adequate funding will be achieved in a private/public sector partnership.
Saying the committee will begin work immediately, the pro-chancellor said the areas of focus would be the varsity’s budget, law and adequate planning which will assure a better future for the institution.
Meanwhile at a press conference in Alausa, Ikeja and addressed by the chairman Special Committee for Rehabilitation of Public Schools in the state, Mr Dele Onabokun, he disclosed that contracts totalling N500 million have been awarded by the Lagos state government towards rehabilitating 27 public schools (20 primary and 7 secondary) under the rehabilitation of public schools scheme.
The project which involves 400 public schools and billed to cost the state government N5 billion over the next two years is to be undertaken in phases with the phase one already taking off and involves Ikorodu High School, Isale Eko Grammar School, King Ado High School and construction of new primary school blocks.
Mr. Onabokun, said the committee made up of professionals would undertake the rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing schools, construct new blocks while also providing such facilities as toilets, water supply electricity etc.
According to him, with the completion of the phase one within the 8 to 12 weeks duration in November/December 2004, the state schools system would have 130 classrooms for secondary schools 120 classrooms for primary schools with considerable improvement in facilities and the environment.
