UPDATED: Sanwo-Olu gifts N10 million to LASU best graduating student

By Adeola Ogunrinde

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday announced a cash gift of N10 million for Miss Isioma Sybil Nwosu, who emerged as the Best Graduating Student of Lagos State University for the 2023/2024 academic session with a CGPA of 4.93. The Governor made the announcement during the university’s 28th Convocation Ceremony held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, LASU, Ojo. Nwosu is a graduate of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science.

The ceremony also featured the conferment of doctorate degrees, honorary doctorate degrees, and the Distinguished Professorship award. Notable honorees included Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Otunba Olufemi Pedro.

Brigadier-General Marwa, a former Military Administrator of Lagos, received a Doctor of Humane Letters (Infrastructure, Security, and National Development), Honoris Causa. Otunba Pedro, a member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), was awarded a Doctor of Business (Banking, Entrepreneurship, and National Development), Honoris Causa. Professor Joseph Abayomi Omoniyi Olagunju was also conferred the title of Distinguished Professor.

Addressing the audience, Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, emphasised the need for Nigeria’s educational system to provide innovative solutions to real-life challenges. He called on leaders and academia to work collaboratively to make education more relevant to society’s needs.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted the importance of academic excellence, stating that educational achievements should be celebrated on par with success in industries like entertainment, fashion, and sports. He urged leaders to promote a culture that values knowledge, innovation, and intellectual advancement.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in state-owned tertiary institutions, nurturing future leaders and problem-solvers. He said the government is focused on providing infrastructure, ensuring safety, and improving the welfare of students and staff to drive transformative development.

According to the Governor, education is a key focus of the THEMES+ agenda, and several youth empowerment programmes have been introduced, including the Job Initiative Lagos (JIL), which supports final-year students in improving their employability.

A total of 11,917 students graduated from LASU in the 2023/2024 academic session. This included 971 Diploma holders, 8,711 first-degree graduates, 2,235 Postgraduate students, 302 with Postgraduate Diplomas, 1,132 with Academic Master’s degrees, 639 Professional Master’s, 125 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) graduates, and 37 with Professional Doctorates. Governor Sanwo-Olu described the convocation as the celebration of years of hard work and the beginning of a new chapter for the graduates.