Sanwo-Olu Gifts LASU Best Graduating Student, Isioma Nwosu, N10m

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday announced a cash gift of N10m to Miss Isioma Sybil Nwosu, the overall best graduating student of Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2023/2024 academic session.

Nwosu, a graduate of the Department of Biochemistry in the Faculty of Science, earned an impressive Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.93.

The announcement was made during LASU’s 28th Convocation Ceremony held at the Ojo campus.

The ceremony also featured the conferment of doctorate degrees, honorary doctorates, and the title of Distinguished Professor on notable individuals.

Among the honourees were the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Otunba Olufemi Pedro.

Marwa, a former military administrator of Lagos State, received a Doctor of Humane Letters (Infrastructure, Security and National Development), Honoris Causa. Pedro, a member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), was awarded a Doctor of Business (Banking, Entrepreneurship and National Development), Honoris Causa. Additionally, Professor Joseph Abayomi Omoniyi Olagunju was conferred with the prestigious title of Distinguished Professor.

Speaking at the convocation ceremony, which celebrated 11,917 graduates across various faculties and departments, Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, emphasised the importance of sustaining a dynamic and relevant education system that delivers innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

“Education is the backbone of our society, and we must recognise its importance in addressing societal needs and human development. As leaders, we must ensure our educational system remains relevant and effective in providing innovative solutions to real-life problems,” Sanwo-Olu said.

While emphasising the importance of academic excellence in society, he highlighted the need for leaders to remind young people that success in education is just as valuable as achievements in entertainment, fashion, or sports.

The governor further affirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering students in state-owned tertiary institutions by nurturing innovative thinkers, problem-solvers, and visionary leaders who will drive sustainable and transformative development across the state.

He added that to achieve these goals and build on existing successes, the government remains dedicated to making substantial financial investments in expanding infrastructure and ensuring the safety and welfare of staff and students at the university.

“These efforts demonstrate our commitment to improving the welfare of staff and students of this university, providing opportunities for educational advancement to indigenes and residents of our dear Lagos State.

“We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the welfare of the staff and students of the university is prioritised. This, we believe, will ensure that LASU thrives for the benefit of the surrounding community, the state, and Nigeria as well,” Sanwo-Olu said.

In her address to the students, the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, highlighted the institution’s recent accomplishments, noting that 43 out of the university’s 44 academic programmes were accredited between October and November 2023.

She also revealed that the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education had, for the first time, commenced postgraduate diplomas, professional master’s, and academic master’s programmes—welcoming international students into the fold.

Delivering the welcome address, the Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Gbolahan Elias (SAN), urged the graduates to be worthy ambassadors of LASU, reminding them that as they step into the world, they carry the pride and expectations of their families, the university, and Lagos State.

In total, the university graduated 971 diploma students, 8,711 undergraduates, 2,235 postgraduate students, 302 with postgraduate diplomas, 1,132 with academic master’s degrees, 639 with professional master’s degrees, 125 with Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, and 37 with professional doctoral degrees across various disciplines.

Sanwo-Olu Gifts LASU Best Graduating Student, Isioma Nwosu, N10m is first published on The Whistler Newspaper