Prof Olatunji-Bello, eulogizes Lagos, describes it as commercial & cultural capital of Nigeria, becomes Grand Commander of GNS

The Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olaunji-Bello, has eulogized Lagos State, describing it as a commercial and cultural capital of Nigeria.

Professor Olatunji-Bello made her mind known at an event organized by the Centre for General Studies (CGNS) Lagos State University, which took place at Buba Marwa Auditorium of the institution on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

Prof Olatunji Bello said “Lagos is a unique state, a state of aquatic splendor, a home to over 20 million Nigerians, rich in culture and tradition, blessed with natural resources and vibrant people, rich festivals, beautiful language, the commercial and cultural capital of Nigeria, where you have a conglomeration of all the ethnic groups in Nigeria and the whole world leaving peacefully, doing their businesses and achieving their potential to the overall benefit of the country.”

The event which has the theme ‘Lagos Today, Lagos Tomorrow’ was also designed to honour the Vice Chancellor with the unique title of Grand Commander of General Nigerian Studies.

The Vice Chancellor in her address said the event was meant to celebrate the cultural heritage of Lagos, Lagosians and Nigeria as a whole. “This is a unique programme organized by a unique centre in a unique university. Today is a day set aside to celebrate the cultural heritage of Lagos, Lagosians and Nigeria as a whole.”

Prof Olatunji-Bello stated that as an institution it is a duty to teach, promote and celebrate the cultural heritage of Lagos “As an institution we owe it a duty to teach, promote and celebrate the cultural heritage of Lagos, its people and history so that we can value what we have and set a path for our young ones, some of them are here today, to follow suit so that our cultural heritage can be preserved for generations to come.

“By organizing a programme like his we are honoring the past, celebrating the present and shaping the future of this vibrant city,” the Vice Chancellor stated.

The Vice Chancellor also lent her voice to the call for a special status for Lagos State, acknowledging the peculiarity and uniqueness of state.

She also told the audience that she whole-heartedly accepted her investiture as the Grand Commander of General Nigerian Studies. “I have also been informed of my investiture as the Grand Commander General Nigerian Studies. With all sense of humility and responsibility I accept the honour. I express my deepest gratitude for the honour.

“I want to sincerely appreciate the centre under the able leadership of Professor MOB Mohammed for honouring me today, and organising such a wonderful event to display the rich heritage of ours,” she stated.

She disclosed that the Centre for GNS is one that is dear to her heart and which has been making the institution very proud. “We must appreciate the effort of the current director, and all his predecessors,” she said.

Royal Father of the day was HRM Oba (Dr) Sulaimon Adeshina Raji-Ashade the First, Oniba of Iba land.