No fewer than 6,885 graduates of the Lagos State University (LASU) will receive their diploma, first and higher degrees during the 20th convocation ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa has revealed.
Addressing newsmen on the forthcoming convocation ceremony, Prof Obafunwa also disclosed that the university produced six First Class graduates from Engineering (1), Law (1), Science (1), Social Sciences and one (Management Science) from Part-Time programme.
The VC disclosed that the university would not award any honorary degrees in line with the directive of Governor Babatunde Fashola and the decision of the Governing Council.
Prof Obafunwa described the 20th convocation ceremony as historic and unique due to the fact that, it would be the last convocation ceremony to be witnessed by Governor Fashola and visitor of the university. He lauded the governor’s invaluable contributions to the stability, growth and development of LASU during his eight years administration.
According to him, the convocation lecture entitled: “From whom much is expected, enough should be given’’ would be delivered by former VC of the University of Ilorin, Prof Is-haq Oloyede on Tuesday, March 17 while the governor would commission three projects including Faculty of Science, Faculty of Law and LASU Radio.
Coconut breaking festival will take place on March 16 and the command performance play entitled Eni’Ayan’ (The Chosen) by Yeside Dosunmu-Lawal would be staged same date.
Giving a breakdown of graduates from both full and part time programmes, Obafunwa said Faculties of Arts has 764, Education 2,659, Engineering 91, Law 202, Management Science 1, 617, Science 728, Social Sciences 472, School of Communications 262, College of Medicine 79 and School of Transport 11.
Obafunwa said LASU was celebrating the convocation ceremony with mixed feeling because the university recently lost its Chancellor, Sir Molade Okoya- Thomas and described him as a great philanthropist, astute administrator, industrialist par excellence, sports guru and one of the strong benefactors of the institution.
He acknowledged the numerous projects sponsored by the Lagos State government in the campus and used the opportunity to appreciate the commitment and contributions of Governor Fashola towards the institution.
The VC further noted that his administration was committed to ensuring a stable calendar for the 2014/2015 academic session, adding, “we are working round the clock in accordance to the rules and regulations that established LASU to conclude the session by September.
On rebranding of LASU, Prof Obafunwa said one of the focal points of his administration was to rebuild and reposition the university’s academic excellence and earn a better image.
