LASU MARKS 20TH CONVOCATION WITH 6,885 GRADUANDS

Authorities of the Lagos State University (LASU) on Thursday said that 6, 885 graduates would take part in its 20th convocation, scheduled for March 19 to March 20.

The Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. John Obafunwa, said at a media briefing in Lagos ahead of the convocation that the part time programmes had 2,814 graduates, while the full time programmes had 4,071 graduates.
He said that the university would also award 48 diplomas during the convocation.
Obafunwa said the institution had six first class graduates as well as 1, 000 graduates in the second class upper division in the various departments, faculties, colleges and schools of the university.
“All the graduates have been thoroughly trained, nurtured and tutored both in learning and character, as required by the global academic practices and standards,” he said.
The don said there would not be award of honorary doctorate degree at the event, the fourth consecutive convocation under his administration.
“The Governor of Lagos State and Visitor to LASU, Mr Babatunde Fashola, in agreement with the university Governing Council, suspended the award of honorary degrees at convocations a few years ago.
“We only hope that by the next convocation, names of individuals who merit the institution’s award of honorary degree will be compiled and honoured.
“This, we believe, will buttress the appreciation of the university to deserving individuals, as well as lend credence to the continuous celebration of academic and managerial excellence in the university,” he said.
Obafunwa said the current administration, in line with global academic culture, had established tradition of conducting convocation annually.
He said that the 20th convocation would be more historic than the previous ones, as it would be the last to be witnessed by Fashola, in his capacity as governor of Lagos State.
The VC said the event would also be celebrated with mixed feelings, because of the recent loss of the university Chancellor, Sir Molade Okoya- Thomas on Feb. 2.
“The late chancellor was looking forward to celebrating the 20th convocation with us before the cold hands of death snatched him away.
“The university community can only hope that the wide vacuum created by his glorious departure be filled in the course of time,” Obafunwa said.
According to him, the Examination and Record Unit, and the Certificate Unit have been ordered to prepare the certificates of the graduates, to be issued to them at the ceremony.
He urged governments at all levels, multinationals, corporate organisations, parents and guardians, well-wishers and well-meaning Nigerians to continue to support the university in donations and by sponsoring scholarship programmes.
The professor lauded the state government’s commitment and contribution to the university under Gov. Fashola.