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… Produces 26 First Class, graduate 36,489
From: Gabriel Dike
Money bags thinking of acquiring Lagos State University (LASU) honorary awards will have to perish their thoughts as the Vice Chancellor, Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun, yesterday stated that the institution’s honorary doctorate degrees are not for sale.
Prof Fagbohun who dropped the bombshell at a briefing on the forthcoming 21st convocation ceremony of LASU, said the institution honorary degrees is not meant for money bags rather for individuals who have contributed to humanity, supported Lagos state and Nigeria.
Defending the award of honorary degrees to three prominent Nigerians, Prof Fagbohun said many individuals were considered for the honour but that the Senate approved three, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (honorary doctorate degree of Business), Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, (honorary doctorate degree of Arts and Humane Letters) and Chief Adebutu Kessington (honorary degree of Science Communication).
His words: ‘’For several years, the university refrained from giving honorary awards. This year, the university will be awarding some eminent personalities with honorary awards during this convocation ceremony. These individuals are being awarded for their enormous contributions to the betterment of the society.
‘’When the former governor gave the directive, it was meant for LASU not to join the bandwagon in awarded honorary to individuals. LASU Senate found the three eminent Nigerians worthy. LASU honorary award is not targeted at money bags but individuals who have made their marks in the society.’’
The former Lagos state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, four years ago at LASU convocation ceremony placed embargo on the award of honorary degrees and stated that the award should not be given to every Dick and Harry.
The VC disclosed that the university will confer diploma, first and higher degrees on 36,489 graduates which is the highest in the history of the 34-year-old institution. He attributed the large number to his administration clearing of backlog of results from the External System (part time).
Fagbohun explained that 26 graduates obtained First Class honours, one distinction (diploma), 2,642 made second class upper, 20,412 bagged second class lower, 5,025 had third class and 115 will graduate with Pass.
On the award of higher degrees, he said LASU will confer Ph.D on 57 postgraduate students, academic masters 808, professional masters 6,477 and postgraduate diploma 714.
‘’LASU lecturers are not strict in marking students answer scripts nor are we strict in producing First Class. It is earned purely on merit. Any of our students who comes out with First Class or second class are outstanding scholarship and can compete favourable with others from other universities in the World’’, the VC stressed.
Giving a breakdown of other programmes, Prof Fagbohun disclosed that the convocation lecture, titled ‘’Bridging the gap for graduate employability’’ will be delivered by Managing Director, UACN Property Development Company Plc, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran on Tuesday, March 21.
According to him, award of first degrees and diplomas will hold on Wednesday, March 22, commissioning of the new Senate building, foundation laying of 6,000 capacity LASU hostel by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and award of higher, honorary doctorate degrees as well as conferment of distinguished Professor on Prof Peter Okebukola, former acting LASU VC and Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission on Thursday, March 23.
He assured the 36, 489 graduates that their certificates are ready but will collect it the next day after completing clearance from Exams and Records office. The VC used the opportunity to list some of the achievements recorded by his administration.
