January 21, 2022
Three past Vice-Chancellors of the University of Lagos were immortalized today at a special ceremony to climax the 52nd Convocation of the University. They earned the awards as acknowledgement and appreciation of their outstanding commitments, worthy services, and sterling achievements while in office. They are Late Emeritus Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, the 8th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (2000 and 2007). He died on the 3rd of January, 2021 due to complications from COVID-19; Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe, the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (2010 to 2012), whose tenure ended due to his demise on May 12, 2012, and Professor Rahamon Bello, the 11th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (2012 to 2017).
Apart from certificates of Immortalisation which were presented, three legacy projects on the UNILAG campus, Akoka, were also named after them.
The certificates for the late honories were received by their families.
The project named after late Emeritus Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe is the Senate bye pass road which was constructed in 2006 while he served as Vice-Chancellor.
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The University of Lagos Centre for Information and Technology Systems (CITS) was named after the late Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe while the second wing of the Julius Berger Lecture Hall situated at the Faculty of Engineering which was jointly funded by the Julius Berger Construction Company and the Federal Government through the FGN Needs Assessment Project 2013 was named after Professor Rahamon Bello.
The plaque for the newly christened Emeritus Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe Bye-pass was unveiled by renowned Professor of Chemical Engineering; Professor Ayodele Francis Ogunye. The UNILAG Centre for Information and Technology Systems (CITS) named after the late Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe was commissioned by his successor, Professor Rahamon Bello, while the Julius Berger Lecture Hall which was named after Professor Rahamon Bello was unveiled by the incumbent Vice-Chancellor; Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.
While playing glowing tributes to each of the three former Vice-Chancellors, Prof. Ogundipe, Incumbent Vice Chancellor of the university said the immortalization ceremony also underscores his personal belief in institutional loyalty and faith in appointed leaders, virtues he said, must be cultivated by anyone aspiring to lead and succeed in leadership positions.
Responding on behalf of those being immortalised, Professor Rahamon Bello said he was filled with gratitude to the senate and management of the university for the honour, and he dedicated the Julius Berger Lecture Hall named after him to all those who served with him while in office. He also prayed for continued growth, peace and progress in the University.
Both Prof Rahamon Bello and late Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe are Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering.
