Over a hundred and fifty staff of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) was recently honoured with Distinguished Service awards for productivity and outstanding performance in the discharge of their duties to advance the course of the system.
The awards, which cut across teaching and non-teaching staff of the college across all cadres, departments and schools, were bestowed on the staff as a show of appreciation, motivation and emulations by other staff of the college.
Awards recipients were decorated at the first distinguished service lecture and staff awards of the institution held at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium with Chief Babatunde Rasheed Fanimokun as the guest speaker.
Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, in his address disclosed that members of staff who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, innovation, and integrity in their respective departments and units were specially recognized across various categories.
Owing to this, he charged members of staff to let the event ignite a renewed commitment to service, “not just to our professional roles, but the greater good of our communities and our nation.
Let us all strive to embody the virtues celebrated today and contribute to a brighter future of Lagos State and Nigeria”.
Members of staff who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, innovation, and integrity in their respective departments and units in the year 2024 were specially recognized across various categories; he emphasized.
According to him, the best overall staff of schools and units received a plaque and ₦200,000 cash award each, while the best staff in various schools, departments and units received ₦50,000 each.
Dr. Abdul described the occasion as a platform to institutionalize and celebrate leadership, excellence, examining public service values, and fostering a culture of integrity and selfless service both within academia community and across the nation at large.
He described Chief Fanimokun as most distinguished Nigerian and a respected icon in Lagos State Public Service who has consistently embodied excellence, integrity, and resourcefulness, adding that, his illustrious career over the years has reflected the impact of selfless service.
The rector recognized that, YABATECH as an institution shares these core values of excellence, integrity, resourcefulness, and selflessness; “our commitment to providing quality technical and vocational education, fostering innovation, and engaging in community development projects demonstrate our dedication to these principles and to the progress of the nation”.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the 1st distinguished service lecture and chairman, Governing Council of YABTAECH, Prof. Funso Isolaowa in his address said the lecture was not only for intellectual enrichment but a moment to celebrate excellence within the institution.
According to him, “their hard work, dedication and exceptional achievements embody the very values that make this organization great. As we present these awards. Let us be reminded of the importance of recognizing the contributions of those who make a real difference in the success of our collective efforts”.
Prof. Afolabi added that the continued commitment of everyone would enable the college to achieve greater heights in the years to come.
Speaking on his paper delivered at the lecture of YABATECH, themed: “Excellence, Integrity Resourcefulness and Selfless: The Hallmarks of Lagos State Public Service As a case study in Progress, Unity and Prosperity 1967-2025”, the chairman, DSE Foundation, Chief Tunde Fanimokun, eulogized the Federal Government for transforming Yaba College of Technology to a university, stating it is a birthday gift to him, with a pledge to build edifice buildings when it finally takes off.
The Agba Akin of Iru Kingdom, Chief Fanimokun, said that he valued the institution as nobody introduced her to him but got attracted through the works and needs of the college and since his donation the management has not dissociated from him by seeking advice and consulting him on the advancement of the great citadel.
Fanimokun affirmed that Lagos State Public Service at its take off was founded on six core values of keeping the flag flying, stand tall always, the umbilical cord of Ibile, unity in diversity, peace, justice and progress for all, and no end to prosperity according to the founding fathers.
The former Lagos State Permanent Secretary acknowledged the foundational role played by the former military governor of the state, Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (1967-1975) who instilled a culture of fiscal discipline, importance of integrity and resourcefulness, adding that, Johnson was found unblemished after his tenure, thereby became a pacesetter for other states of the federation.
The philanthropist maintained that, the banner of unblemished integrity and incorruptibility were sustained and taken to the highest level by the first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande. “Our collective prayer should be for more visionary leaders like Jakande”
He stated that all over the world, corruption is widely acknowledged a deadly disease and a great impediment to development.
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, commended YABATECH for working tirelessly in shaping education and producing exceptional leaders who has contributed significantly to the growth and development of the country.
He said that the institution has consistently adapted and evolved, maintaining its status as a beacon of excellence and produced exceptional minds that have contributed significantly to industries within Nigeria and beyond.
Lagos State experiences, the governor said, served as a model for other regions, demonstrating opportunities to enhance operations, promote unity, and drive prosperity in critical areas such as infrastructure development, public health, education, and economic growth.