Success Damian:
Appointed Vice chancellor on
the 6th of January 2016 but assumed duties on January 11, 2016, Professor Olanrewaju
Adigun Fagbohun immediately wore his thinking cap, ready to engender focused
leadership devoid of sentiment and the usual way of doing things; he promoted
innovation, transparency, academic excellence which immediately catapulted the
University into national and international prominence.
With measured, envisioned
programmes, inclusive governance, unbroken academic calendar, campaign against
cultism, putting to rest the hullabaloo relating to collection of certificates,
he pursued his vision and mission for LASU with mathematical exactitude.
Fagbohun ensured that all the
courses offered in the university got approval, aside approving new course,
Sandwich programme was pursued with greater zeal, introduction of LASU Research
Fair, Ready Set work which prepares the final year students for the world of
work and to enhance employability, Olanrewaju Fagbohun, a Professor of
Environmental Law being the 8th substantive Vice Chancellor brought great
transformation to the university which before his emergence was an institution
with which many were disenchanted.
He carved a niche for the
university and so union leaderships in the institution have no reason to fight
the management, salaries were paid every 25 of every month, he introduced Distinguished
Lecture series, Inaugural lectures were promoted, he ensured security on campus
which was second to none by proving the required tools to ensure safety of
lives and property on campus. Annual report was highlighted, he ensured good
and vibrant relationship with the university’s Alumni, enhanced town hall
meetings to facilitate uninterrupted flow of information between unions and
management and management and students.
Fagbohun did not only harp on
the use of technology as a tool to enhance efficiency, he made sure that
transparency and accountability was made a legacy of the five years of his
administration.
Indeed, he invented some catch
phrases that gave the university community reason for smiles, optimism,
courage, and confidence. Some of them include, ‘We are LASU, We are Proud’; ‘World
Class Students’, not forgetting the LASU anthem.
However, as the glorious
administration of this illustrious son of Alimosho enters its twilight, not
because the astute professor in question has become tired, no, far from it, but
it is because he must follow the constitutionally specified one tenure system
of the Lagos State owned university. It is also on this note that Prof Fagbohun
found it expedient to chronicle his activities in LASU in a book he delivered as
a Valedictory Lecture titled LASU: My Stewardship. The People. The
Transformation.
In a well attended event at
the Buba Marwa Auditorium in Ojo, Fagbohun used opportunity of the Lecture to
expound on his sojourn as LASU Vice Chancellor, especially the five strategic
imperatives that brought transformation to the institution. They include
restoring peace to the university; Fostering high-level scholarship and Creating
new knowledge, Consolidating on previous gains, Developing clear roadmap for
attracting funds, and most importantly making Lasu a Valued partner to the
Lagos State Government and the nation.
He said since 1983 that LASU
was established his was the first time a Vice Chancellor of the university
would be delivering a Valedictory Lecture.
In page 26 of the 104 paged
lecture, Fagbohun brought to the fore the modest achievements of the
university, faculties, and faculty members. It showed that over 170 lectures/seminars/conferences/workshops
were delivered/organized across faculties, schools and colleges.; 25 inaugural
lectures delivered; 11 active international partnerships were signed, 35 active
local partners were executed, and 21 others were executed focused on entrepreneurship.
Further he said Academic
programmes increased from 65 to 70:63 of them fully accredited (90%), 2 with
interim accreditation (2.9%), 5 with initial accreditation (7.1%), and none
with denial accreditation. The 5 programmes denied accreditation in 2016 are
now accredited, were among other achievements too numerous to mention.
Prof. Olanrewaju Adigun
Fagbohun, SAN, NPOM, one of the most detribalized, religiously tolerant
man had the chance to quote a Bible verse,
2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I
have kept the faith
"Now, there is in store
for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed
for his appearing".
In all these archival
achievements, in his humility, Fagbohun said he did not do it alone. He
commended the management, staff and students for being behing the LASU success
story.
In the ASUU presented a plaque
for Distinguished Performance.
Those who spoke about Prof
Fagbohun did so glowingly. One of them was Mr. T.A Seriki, Former University
Librarian. He said Fagbohun is a humble man. He was well brought up. When I was
UL, we didn't have the opportunity to have an annual report but Prof. Fagbohun
started it and has done it consistently.
“Whoever will come in after
Prof. Fagbohun has a herculean task; first to meet up with his achievements and
then to surpass it,” Seriki stressed.
Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, First
Lady of Ogun State took turn to eulogise the amiable Vice Chancellor in the
following words “I attended his inaugural lecture about 8 years ago and was
struck by his brilliance and depth in the field of Environmental Law. He is one
of the best in Africa and perhaps the world.
I do hope he will continue to
be of service not only to the academic community but to Nigeria
“I congratulate him for his
achievements as others have attested to; I congratulate him for leaving an
enduring level of excellence. You have set a good example and I pray as you go
into the world, you will continue to raise the banner of LASU,” Mrs Abiodun
said.
To the former Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof Abisogun Leigh, “I
wear two caps: As one of the founding fathers of the university: there are so
many of us, many of whom have passed to the great beyond. But I must mention
Alhaji Lateef Jakande. He was someone we learnt a lot from and I can see a copy
of Jakande in Prof. Fagbohun. Prof. Fagbohun has raised LASU up and I know that
the founding fathers will be proud.
“Second, I have also been
privileged to serve as the VC of this university. And I agree with what Prof.
Okebukola has said about him being the best: There were good times, but this is
the best time. I have been in that seat before, but I say, you have done
better. You have been the best,” he maintained.
Dist. Prof. Peter Okebukola on
his part had stated. “I have been in this university since it started in 1985.
I have seen so many VCs, I have been acting VC myself. When we take a measure
of the success of all the VCs that God has blessed this university till date,
none of us can match the achievement of Prof. Fagbohun. I and Prof. Leigh did a
measure all VC from Prof. Olumide and on all the indices we used, he stood out
clearly.
“The critical factors for
success is nothing else than God's favour. God has favoured Prof. Fagbohun so
generously that he has succeeded as much as we are documenting it today. And he
hasn't seen anything else. He will go further and further.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing
Council, Prof. Bayo Ninalowo, in his own remarks said whatever you want to
achieve in life, starts from the cerebral level. He added that as from January,
next when he bows out, he would be referred to as Vice Chancellor emeritus
Speaking further, he
acknowledged the woman behind Professor 'Lanre Fagbohun, Mrs Yeside Fagbohun,
who has supported the husband, all the way.
Prof. Ninalowo said that LASU
Community would definitely miss the outgoing Vice Chancellor who has done so
much for the university and brought great achievements to the institution.
