Governor Sanwo-Olu orders fresh process to pick LASU VC

He directed the commencement of a fresh process which will terminate in 45 days.

Sanwo-Olu is the Visitor to the institution.

His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said the cancellation of the old process followed a thorough investigation and stakeholders engagement, which were necessitated by various petitions against the selection process.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu was inundated with petitions arising from the selection process of the Vice Chancellor by the Governing Council,” Akosile said.

He added: “After a thorough evaluation and investigation of the various complaints, Mr. Governor, in his capacity as the Visitor to the University ordered the cancellation of the process.”

The outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun was  directed by Governor Sanwo-Olu to convene an emergency Senate meeting for the purpose of appointing one of the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, who is not a candidate in the cancelled selection process as Acting Vice-Chancellor from Monday, January 11, 2021, when the tenure of the  incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fagbohun expires.

The Governor further directed that, the Senate should select among its members, a pro tem chairman to superintend the meeting and conduct of the election of Acting Vice-Chancellor.

In a related development, a group of Lagosians under the aegis of the Lagos Integrity Group has debunked the allegation that Professor Ibiyemi Bello, a top contender for the post, is a non-indigene of Lagos State and should, therefore, be excluded from consideration for the position.

Addressing a press conference, the president of the group, Elder Dayo Macaulay, described the allegation as malicious and wicked.

Elder Macaulay said: “Professor Bello is maternally an indigene of the Olowogbowo area of Lagos Island. The fact that her husband, Hon Tunji Bello, is also an indigene of Lagos Island, qualifies her as an indigene by marriage, and stands her on the competent ground to be the next VC of the university.

“Apart from this, Professor Bello is an erudite academic and a scholar of high repute who stands head and shoulders above other contestants in the ongoing race for the post. She made an indelible impression as a seasoned administrator during her stint as the acting vice-chancellor of the university.

“She displays skill in conflict resolution and crisis management which was deployed by the renowned scientist in bringing about a new lease of peace, particularly at that time, which coincided with a period of crisis in the life of the institution”.

Prominent members of the group, namely, Taiwo Sonto, Segun Davies, Alhaja Mojisola Adewale, Femi Salako, Basirat Dawodu, Prince Lekan Salami, Saheed Ajala, Alhaji Lateef Onikoyi Bakare, Yinka Dawodu and Funmi Thomas, who took time to speak on the occasion, warned that ‘’we should not destroy the fabric of Lagos by sacrificing merit for mediocrity.”

Similarly, the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) Prof. Folabi Olumide died on Friday aged 81.

Announcing the death in statement, the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun, described it as an irreplaceable loss.

The late Surgeon served as LASU Vice Chancellor from its inception in 1983 to1988.

Last year, the LASU Health Centre was renamed the Folabi Olumide Health Centre in his honour.

The statement reads: “Professor Olumide died today, Friday, 8th January 2021, after a brief illness at the age of 81 years.’’

Meanwhile, the Lagos State University (LASU)  best graduating student, Oladimeji Idris  Shotunde was N5million richer yesterday, courtesy of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

Shotunde was rewarded by the governor for coming tops in his academic work at the university.

Also rewarded yesterday by the governor was the institution’s Best Master’s Degree student, Olusola Aanu Olabanjo.

He also went home with N5 million.

Shotunde who read  Business Admin also got  a public service job offer at the State House, Marina.

Olabanjo   got his  Master’s Degree in Computer Science with Grade Point of 5.0.