The Lagos State University, LASU has officially welcomed 12,873 new students for the 2023/2024 academic session, with a pledge to make their welfare a matter of top priority.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who stated this at the Institution’s matriculation ceremony on the main campus in Ojo, Lagos, held on February 28 also vowed not relent in the efforts to ensure that the learning environment remains conducive and competitive.
While addressing the newly admitted students, the VC emphasised their privilege in gaining admission to LASU, while warning against cultism, examination malpractices, corruption, hooliganism, and other vices which according to her, attract disciplinary actions for those found guilty.
The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Adenike Boyo, urged students to be vigilant and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
She reiterated the university’s commitment to providing a disciplined and focused atmosphere for learning, emphasizing the need for students to attend lectures regularly, complete assignments, and avoid deviant behaviour.
“My dear Matriculating Students, it is a new beginning for all of you today and by the Grace of God in record time of 4 to 5years depending on your course of study, we will be gathered again for your convocation.
As young men and women desirous of a brighter future, it is expected that you abide with the rules and regulations of the University and be committed to your studies:
• be regular in attending lectures;
• carry out all your assignments;
• shun deviant behaviors;
• avoid indecent dressing;
• carefully select your friends, bad friends destroy good habits;
• the university has zero tolerance for cultism;
• avoid examination malpractices,
• do away with corruption and hooliganism and
• other vices that can expose you to danger as those found culpable will be dealt with in line with our disciplinary mechanisms. “
LASU ADMITS 12,873 NEW STUDENTS FOR 2023/2024 SESSION, PLEDGES EFFICIENT STUDENT WELFARE
NLC Suspends Protest, Extends Ultimatum To Federal Government
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Tuesday night, suspended its two-day protest all over the country.
The Labour, in a communique at the end of its National Executive Council meeting, said the objectives of the protest were achieved on the first day of the demonstration.
“Consequently, NEC-in-session resolved as follows: to suspend street action for the second day of the Protest having achieved overwhelming success and thus attained the key objectives of the 2-day protest on the first day,” the communique partly read.
Nigeria is battling rising inflation, food inflation, forex crisis, economic hardship, and high cost of living occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidies, attracting protests in parts of the country.
The Presidency had engaged labour leaders in last-minute talks on Monday night but the meeting ended in a stalemate as the NLC insisted that the protest was going to hold.
Subsequently, the NLC grounded economic activities across the country on Tuesday, with labour leader Joe Ajaero, saying that the protest was about hunger and not just a clamour for a review of the minimum wage.
“You have to understand it. This protest is about hunger. What of those who are not working? The minimum wage, when will it be completed? When will it be implemented? What will be the minimum wage that will remove hunger?” Ajaero queried.
However, in its communique late Tuesday, the first day of the protest, the highest organ of the NLC suspended “street action for the second day of the Protest having achieved overwhelming success and thus attained the key objectives of the 2-day protest on the first day”.
“However, Nationwide action continues tomorrow with simultaneous Press Conferences across all the states of the federation by the state Councils of the Congress including the National Headquarters.
“To reaffirm and extend the 7-day ultimatum by another 7 days which now expires on the 13th day of March 2024 within which the Government is expected to implement all the earlier agreement of the 2nd day of October, 2023 and other demands presented in our letter during today’s nationwide protest.
“To meet and decide on further lines of action if on the expiration of the 14 days, Government refuses to comply with the demands as contained in the ultimatum.”
SENATE TELLS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE FOOD STAMPS TO TACKLE HUNGER
The Senate has asked the Federal Government of Nigeria to introduce a food stamps programme as a measure to cushion the effect of hunger and food crisis in the country.
It also urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to liaise with development partners and other relevant stakeholders, especially the Lagos Food Bank Initiative, which introduced the Temporary Food Assistance Programme, a few years ago.
The Red Chamber also said the introduction of the programme had become necessary “with a view to working out practicable templates and implementable modalities for the actualisation of the programme.”
These resolutions followed a motion sponsored by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), and co-sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central) as well as a majority of others during plenary.
Senator Ndume said at the unveiling of the October 2023 Cadre Harmonisé Analysis on food insecurity, it was projected that in 2024, Nigeria is expected to see about 26.5 million people, grappling with high levels of food insecurity.
He said, “The reason for the above projection is not far-fetched, as several indicators, which include but are not limited to the ongoing conflicts across the country, climate change impacts, escalating inflation as witnessed in recent time, and rising costs of both food and essential non-food commodities, due to falling in value of Naira in the exchange market.”
He expressed worry that many hungry and angry Nigerians have been voicing their frustration and anger over the recent increase in food prices.
Senator Ndume pointed out that “in other countries, like the United States of America, Food Stamp which is a government-issued coupon that is given to low-income and non-income persons and is redeemable for food have been used since 1933 to date as a measure to cushion the resultant hardships and sufferings on the poor/less privileged as well as low-income earners.”
He added that the clamour for a wage increase and work support can not alone guarantee a more effective way of addressing food insecurity without the introduction of a time-tested public assistance programme, as contemplated by this motion with particular emphasis on the need for immediate food support across the country.
Contributing, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP Benue South) said there is no better time for the motion than now, adding that identifying vulnerable people in his constituency has always been a problem but that the food stamps will help.
On his part, Senator Sadiq Umar (APC Kwara North), said the executive should ensure that only those who need the food get it insisting the programme needs to start immediately.
“Structures are grown to help in the distribution of the food stamps,” he said.
Also, Senator Solomon Adeola (APC Ogun West), said despite sharing money to the vulnerable, the food stamps will be even more important.
Another lawmaker, Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger East) said it is an important motion as it would help the country achieve food security.
In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, who provided over plenary, also agreed that the programme, if implemented, would help assuage the sufferings of Nigerians.
He said, “The Senate is open to acting on issues that will help all Nigerians. So, the entire Senate commends Ndume for this motion.”
Food stamps is a supplemental nutrition assistance programme that will provide food-purchasing assistance for low- and no-income people to help them maintain adequate nutrition and health.
Global Builders Initiative Empowers Agbalumo Community in Ikorodu to Combat Misinformation
The Global Builders Initiative, in collaboration with Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, has spearheaded a groundbreaking Community Sensitization on Fact Checking Misinformation in Agbalumo Community, Ikorodu, Lagos.
The event, held at the Agbalumo Central Mosque, marked a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to empower communities against the spread of false information.
With a focused approach on education and engagement, the initiative successfully reached and sensitized 221 individuals within the Agbalumo community.
The strategic selection of the Agbalumo Central Mosque as the venue underscored the organization’s commitment to inclusivity, recognizing the mosque’s influence on both Muslim and Christian populations in the area.
Co-founder of Global Builders Initiative,Ghazali Abdulmuizz expressed satisfaction over the enthusiastic response from the Agbalumo community.
“By empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources to discern fact from fiction, we are collectively building a more resilient society immune to the harmful effects of misinformation”, he added
Abdulmuizz explained that the success of the sensitization event reflects the organization’s dedication to information literacy and community empowerment.
He noted that through collaborative efforts with BBYDI and the active participation of the Agbalumo community, the initiative aims to pave the way for sustained impact in the fight against misinformation.
The co-founder concluded by saying as part of its ongoing commitment, Global Builders Initiative plans to conduct follow-up sessions and further collaborations with other communities, ensuring a lasting legacy of information literacy and resilience.
The event featured interactive sessions aimed at enhancing participants’ understanding of the detrimental impact of misinformation and equipping them with practical tools for fact-checking in their daily lives.
LASU CENTRE FOR INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS HOLDS IN-HOUSE TRAINING ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, SEARCH ENGINE TOOLS
Members of staff of the Centre for Information and Public Relations (CIPR), Lagos State University (LASU) have participated in an in-house training to bolster the officers’ productivity.
The training tagged: “AI, Search engine and more: tools for effective information dissemination and Public Relations Activities” took place on Friday, 23 February 2024, CIPR Conference Room, 3rd Floor, Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate Building, main campus, Ojo, Lagos.
Declaring the training open, the Coordinator, CIPR, Mrs Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile highlighted the importance of such training as very critical to the operations of the university.
She noted that as Information and Public Relations specialists, it was imperative to be abreast of what is obtainable in the modern era, where technology drives innovation as well as creativity.
Mrs Thomas-Onashile also urged all the attendees to make good use of the training as it concerns their profession.
The resource person, the Deputy Director, (Analyst and Hardware Unit), Directorate of Information Communication Technology, LASU, Mr Samuel Fadipe projecting through a slide defined Information as knowledge obtained from investigation, facts and news, especially as put together by a professional as it relates to Information dissemination.
He delved into the issue of artificial as humanly contrived, often on a natural model, mostly man-made, while artificial intelligence remains the ability of a digital computer or computer controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings, widely used in industries, government, telecommunications, media, financial institutions, health, sports and other aspects of human endeavour.
Mr Fadipe explained that reforms have made the media immersive as Artificial Intelligence is not emotional, compared to human beings and could help users gather information in a good stead of time, simply to get the task done and get accurate information.
Speaking further, he stated that AI has transformed the way information is disseminated, removing a lot of barriers as well as filtering distortion in the information process chain.
On the impact of Artificial Intelligence in Public Relations, he stated “it could well be deplored for content creation, press conference, monitoring of news, enhancing social media presence, crisis detection, specific personalisation of messages and more, simply because AI has reservoir of knowledge which is repository in nature”.
The resource person also listed some search engine tools that could assist public relations activities such as Google Alerts, Semdrusin, Buzzsumo as well as Ahrefs. He gave out some artificial intelligence tools that a journalist could make use of in the newsroom such as Newsroom Article Generator, AI Image generator, AI Article Summaries, AI Fact Checkers, and Comment Moderator.
“You can maintain an online presence through personal website, social media account and academic profile”, all these are good for online presence, he posited.
Mr Fadipe concluded by allaying the fear of the Information and Public Relations Specialists on the notion that Artificial Intelligence would take their jobs away, while averring that it is far from the truth as it would only enhance their jobs and boost effective performance, leading to great productivity.
Moving the vote of thanks, the Officer in Charge of Training, Gbadegesin Olanrewaju Daud said “this has been a great learning session with focus on how Artificial Intelligence, Search engine tools can assist us perform optimally as information and public relations specialists. It has been an eye-opening engagement. On behalf of the Coordinator, the heads of the units, and other colleagues, we appreciate the trainer. Thank you for the time.”
DIRECTOR, CENTRE FOR GENERAL NIGERIA STUDIES, LASU TASKS MEMBERS OF STAFF ON DEDICATION, OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
The Director, Centre for General Nigeria Studies (CGNS), Prof. M. O. B. Mohammed has charged staff of the Centre to go the extra mile by being outstanding at their job, and more effective in the discharge of their duties.
Prof. Mohammed made this known at the first in-house training/workshop of the Centre in 2024 with the theme *”Work Ethics, Report/Minutes Writing for Effective Office Management”*.
The in-house training/workshop which had in attendance all members of staff was held on Friday, 23rd February 2024, at the CGNS conference room, Admin. Block 2, main campus, Ojo, Lagos.
In his words, the Director said: ” Let’s stand out when others are sitting, and stand outstanding when others are standing.”
The first lecture was delivered by the Deputy Registrar, Senate Affairs Division, Mr. AbdulAhmeed Lawal, who spoke on *”Report Writing and Minutes Taking for Effective Office Management”*.
He admonished the participants at the in-house training to ensure correct and accurate reportage of meetings and events while paying more attention to the names and designations of members and those in attendance.
Mr. Lawal advised on the following; simple use of language, adopt active voice in your expression, structure your minutes logically, let the information flow and sequential, read your first draft, vet and edit while working on your minutes or writing your report.
He also advised them to always give their colleagues the draft of the minutes to read and edit (using their third eye), avoid any form of ambiguity, and ensure they itemised deliberations as we as observations where necessary. These, he said, will, at all times, save their work from being clumsy and ambiguous.
The second lecture was presented by the Deputy Registrar, Admin./Tech., Mr. Olalekan Awujoola, who was represented by the PAR/Administrative Secretary CGNS Mr Ademola Adekoya with theme *”Work Ethics/Ethical Conducts for Effective Office Management”*.
He said ethics simply deal with what is good, acceptable, or bad, not acceptable.
” in any organisation, there must be rules and regulations guiding the individual and collective group activities as employees of organisation and if we have a community of people carrying out their businesses and all other activities without any any regulations it will lead to a state of chaos and anarchy.
That is why it is very important to have in place, set of rules and regulations by which we all must abide by and as employees, it allows our conducts to align with these set rules.”
The second speaker emphasised further on the need for staff to avoid negative work ethics or unethical work attitudes which he listed as; abandonment of duty, absenteeism, inefficiency, fraud and fraudulent practices, dishonesty, truancy, indiscipline, lateness to work, insubordination among others which are also captured in the Conditions of Service for the staff of the University as misconduct or serious misconduct and they attract sanctions, the ultimate being dismissal.
He concluded by letting the participants know that ethical office management is very crucial in every organisation for the maintenance of integrity and trust, hence organisations must learn to prioritise ethical practices to promote a conducive working environment for all members of staff.
In the highlight of the training/workshop, the Director, Centre for General Nigeria Studies presented a certificate of participation to all members of staff who took part in the training/workshop.
PROF. OLATUNJI-BELLO BAGS NELSON MANDELA LEADERSHIP PRIZE AS PAN AFRICAN AMAZON OF NATION BUILDING
Stay Africa Youth Development Initiative (SAYDI-AFRICA), an African Youth organisation dedicated to building Youth in leadership positions in Africa, has conferred the Nelson Mandela Leadership Prize for Integrity and Transparency Pan African Amazon of Nation Building on the Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, LASU, Ibiyemi OlaTunji-Bello.
The prize was presented to her on Thursday, 22nd February 2024, by the President of SAYDI-AFRICA, Hon. Dominic Mensah, who was joined by the Nigeria Representative, Com. Albert Sayei and other officials who represented the Body.
According to Hon. Mensah, the award was presented in recognition of her selfless and transformational leadership in LASU, which is providing the right direction for youths across the country and the African region.
He said, “We are here to present this honour because you have distinguished yourself as a selfless leader of astute erudition, outstanding understanding and articulate attributes who is one of such rare prominent Africans that have written their names on the very heart of history as a matter of dedicated service to God, humanity and country which is in line with the Nelson Mandela ideology.
The team urged the VC to remain the icon of integrity and leadership that she is as they (youths) continue to see her as a model whom they can emulate as they ascend leadership positions in the future.
In her response, the awardee thanked the Body for recognising her with such an honour even when it was least expected.
“This shows that people are watching. We are just doing our bits here, not knowing that some people are taking note far away. Thank you for the award.”
The VC was joined by her deputies and aides to receive the award at her office on the 6th floor of Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate Building, main campus, Ojo.
Radiology Professor, Kofoworola Soyebi Delivers 10th UNILAG Inaugural Lecture, Proffers Recommendations to Tackle Brain Drain
A Professor at the Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy and Radiodiagnosis, University of Lagos, Kofoworola Oluwatoyin Soyebi has called on government at all levels to ensure the provision of adequate facilities in hospitals as a major step to mitigate brain drain among medical professionals, particularly Radiologists.
She made the call on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, while delivering the 10th Inaugural Lecture of the institution in the 2023/2024 academic session. The lecture titled: Bearing the Torch Aloft: The Trials and Triumphs of a Radiologist, was delivered at the J.F. Ade. Ajayi Auditorium.
The event which attracted family, colleagues, friends, and well-wishers of Professor Soyebi, brought to the front burner the importance of Radiology as a needed service by every specialty in Medicine.
According to her, “Radiology is not a game of Spotting the Difference by an individual with a pencil in hand and paper bearing two sets of pictures trying to figure out and mark the difference between them. Rather, Radiology is a medical specialty that uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat diseases”.
Drawing from her expertise as a Consultant Radiologist, Professor Soyebi highlighted the challenges Radiology practices face in Nigeria and listed them to include inadequate infrastructure, limited access to modern equipment, and insufficient training opportunities.
Pointing out the impending wave of retiring practitioners and the shortage of incoming talent, Professor Soyebi averred that the burden on existing radiologists has intensified.
Her words “There is an insufficient number of radiologists graduating in medical schools to meet the demand exacerbated by the recruitment crisis. The resultant strain on the workforce will lead to burnout and overwork among the remaining physicians, so the Nigerian government needs urgent strategic solutions to bridge this gap”.
To alleviate these challenges, Professor Soyebi called on the government to increase support, improve funding for healthcare facilities, and enhance educational programs to empower radiologists and enhance their capabilities for more impactful services to their community.
While giving an account of her research efforts and accomplishments following her foray into the field of Radiology, Professor Soyebi described herself as “one of the lucky few who by providence early in her career had opportunities to travel to more advanced places to receive training in capacity building”.
She noted that these opportunities empowered her to impact and contribute her quota in delivering trainings, conducting clinical research, as well as benefiting from collaborative opportunities and funding to actualize her desires.
CITATION
Born on August 1, 1958, in Jos, Plateau State to John Oluremi Adetola and Esther Sola Adetola, the native of Ikenne, Ogun State started her primary education at the Township School, Jos. After her family moved to Lagos, Professor Soyebi attended Methodist School, Yaba; Mayflower School, Ikenne, International School, Ibadan and Federal Government College Odogbolu. Ogun State.
She gained admission into the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1977, where she earned a B.S C in Health Sciences in 1981 and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) in 1984. She continued at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital for her Housemanship before the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at the Military Cantonment’s Medical Reception Station in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Upon completion of her NYSC programme, Professor Soyebi who also holds a Masters Degree in Anatomy from the University of Lagos (2008) returned to Lagos to work with Dr. Ogunnaike at a private clinic in Marina, Lagos for two years.
She later joined Osuntuyi Medical Centre, Obanikoro, Lagos. It was while at Osuntuyi Medical Centre, that Radiography became an interest for her.
She joined the services of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, and Lagos University Teaching Hospital in February 1997, with the sole aim of training and practicing Radiology, and helping increase the abysmally small number of Radiologists in Nigeria. She rose through the ranks to become Professor of Radiology and Consultant Radiologist on October 1, 2021.
Professor Soyebi whose areas of sub-specialization include Ultrasonography, Women, and Paediatric Radiology, has presented numerous papers at national and international conferences and has supervised the Dissertations of 32 Radiologists and 6 Radiography students.
An active member of many national and global professional bodies within her area of specialty, the renowned Radiology Professor is widely published both locally and internationally with thirty-four (34) peer-reviewed published articles and a fifty-seven (57)-paged chapter on Obstetric Ultrasonography to an ultrasound textbook.
Professor Soyebi is blessed with children and a grandchild.
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REITERATES COMMITMENT TO SECURITY AS LNSC INAUGURATES IMOTA STATION, OTHERS
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to the safety of lives and property in the State.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos, Lawal Pedro, gave the reassurance at the inauguration of the Imota Station of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps, LNSC.
Pedro said security is the cornerstone of any responsible and responsive government and the establishment of the Imota Station is a reflection of the present administration’s commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for all.
He said the Station which consists of office spaces, a mini cell, a store, and conveniences will serve as the security hub for Imota and its environs.
“The construction which began in January and was completed in February signifies Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to the security of the State.”
In his welcome address, the General Manager of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps, Ifalade Oyekan thanked the Governor for his constant timely interventions in the area of security, especially with grassroots security which he described as the heartbeat of a safer community as enshrined in the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda.
Oyekan pointed out that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu renovated sixteen of the Agency’s offices, while three new ones were constructed and were inaugurated simultaneously at Imota, Ijede, and Orile-Agege.
The General Manager urged all stakeholders in the community including the Royal Institution, community heads and leaders, and the police to continue to support officers of the Agency and the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu in the bid to make the state safer and more secure.
Present at the commissioning were, DPO Imota Divisional HQ, CSP Ogunniyi Babatunde, Royal fathers, and Community leaders, among other dignitaries.
LAWMA ORGANISES HEALTH, SAFETY TRAINING FOR SWEEPERS
… Deploys Mechanised Sweeping on Strategic Roads
Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has organised its first quarter of Health and Safety training for sanitation workers in the state, aimed at prioritising their health, safety, and overall well-being in the course of duty.
Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin noted that the Authority recognised the health hazards associated with manual sweeping, hence the decision to roll out a comprehensive health and safety training programme, which covers critical areas like proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), among others.
He said, “Our sweepers are the unsung heroes who keep Lagos clean. Like any other occupation, we recognise the hazards associated with this kind of job. Thus, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to prioritise their safety is paramount. This training empowers them to become active participants in their well-being, creating a ripple effect of safety awareness throughout LAWMA”.
Speaking further the LAWMA boss stated that the Authority’s commitment towards its sanitation workers is beyond physical safety, adding that the recent distribution of LAG-ID cards to sweepers, in collaboration with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), would give them access to a comprehensive healthcare plan and other vital services.
“The LAG-ID card is a game-changer for our sweepers. It empowers them to prioritise their health, secure in the knowledge that they have access to quality care. This, in turn, translates to a more motivated and productive team, ultimately contributing to a cleaner and healthier Lagos for all. With the cards, they can also have access to financial services like loans”, he stated.
In a related development, LAWMA has begun deploying additional mechanised sweeping machines at strategic locations in the state, to complement the efforts of its sweepers, significantly improving efficiency and for easier coverage of the city.
Gbadegesin said, “Mechanisation is a strategic step towards modernising our operations and alleviating the physical demands on our sweepers. This, coupled with the training programme, embodies our unwavering commitment to a robust, technology-driven approach that prioritises both productivity and achieving our goal of a clean environment”.
He assured that job losses would not be suffered by sweepers operating in areas where mechanised sweeping programmes are introduced, appealing to motorists to drive with caution, especially with the arrival of the rains and shun littering for a cleaner environment.
