Sofoluwe appointed 10th VC of UNILAG

BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
Prof. Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe has been appointed the 10th Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), with effect from January 30, 2010. His appointment has finally put to rest controversy, which arose from the expiration of the former VC, Prof. Tolu Odugbemi.
Prior to this appointment, Sofoluwe was the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services. Born April 15, 1950, the professor of Computer Science graduated with a Second Class Upper Divisions in June 1973 from the University of Lagos. During his undergraduate years, he received German scholarship award for Academic Brilliance. He also won the Dean’s Prize in the 1971/72 session.
At the end of his youth service, he won a Commonwealth scholarship to study at the Edinburgh University, Scotland. He earned his Master’s Degree in 1975 and Doctorate in 1981 from the same university. The don started his teaching career as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Lagos in 1976 and rose steadily through the ranks to become a full professor in October 1996.
In his vision statement titled “Sustaining UNILAG as a university of first choice,” he said he wants to ensure that UNILAG is ranked among the first 100 universities in the world by the mid term of his tenure.
“The question is what has been impeding the realization of this vision till date? The university community consists of very good materials, which are under utilized. There is need to harness them by employing electronic driven strategies, which I will put in place as the VC.”
“My mission is to make the UNILAG an e-University. As a professor of Computer Science, I will deploy my knowledge of the discipline to run and manage UNILAG. Having been very close to the past three administrations of Professors Jelili Omotola, Oye Ibidapo-Obe and Tolu Odugbemi as the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Director of Academic Planning and Deputy VC respectively, I have a very good understanding of the university.”
Some of his proposed reforms include division of the university into sub-systems, systematic evaluation of sub-systems on periodic basis, regular updating of university website, university master plan, regular quarterly and annual reports, quality control mechanism, provision of grater international visibility for the university, international linkages, computerized academic calendar and bi-annual comprehensive medical check-up for staff.






Church offers scholarship to first class graduate
By Tope Templer Olaiya
AN inventor, Mr. Kehinde Durojaye, and a University of Lagos (UNILAG) Electrical/ Electronic Engineering First Class graduate, Miss Olayinka Oduwole, have been offered lifelines by Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN). They got the succour recently during church service at Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos, headquarters of the church.
Oduwole, who started attending SCOAN at the age of five, said: “I finished secondary school at the age of 15 and immediately gained admission into the University of Lagos to study Electrical/Electronic Engineering. I still recall how the Prophet counsels us, tells us his history and encourages us to be the best we can, which really motivated me.”
“During my final year, Prophet called me and specifically told me that he wanted me to finish with a first class. I was surprised and told him, I was struggling between first class and second class upper. He prayed and gave me anointed water, and I read as if everything depended on it. When the grades came out, even in courses where others were failing, I had an ‘A’ and when my results were compiled, I came out with a first class result.”
The cleric, being pleased declared that the ministry would sponsor her in any of the best universities in the world for her Master’s.





Excitement as Jambites resume in UI
By Abraham Oladipupo
Gaining admission into any higher institution is not a piece of cake, and each year, the hurdles get steeper. For the lucky few, who scale through WASSCE, NECO, JAMB and Post-JAMB out of the multitude of admission seekers, it is a dream come true. Some of the newly admitted students, who could not hide their joy at securing admission into the university of Ibadan spoke to Life Campus.
Michael Oluwasogo, who holds a National Diploma in Banking and Finance, walks the length and breath of the university still brimming with smiles. Since completing his secondary education in 2002, it has been a series of failed attempts to secure admission into a university until his last attempt, which brought him to Nigeria’s premier university. “I feel like I am on top of the world,” he said. He, however, advised those who are dreaming to be in the four walls of the university not to lose hope.
Raji Olaoluwa Tobi, a 100 level student of Law, said, “I just finished my secondary school last year. I am so lucky to be here because many of my mates are still at home doing nothing. I just give all the glory to God because it is not by my power.”
And Ikusika Olawale of the department of Philosophy said, “it’s a dream come true, after seeking to gain admission into a tertiary institution for the past eight years.” He continued, “I have attempted JAMB for so many years to the extent that I could be referred to as JAMB veteran. However, after the long wait, I finally made it here. When I saw my name online, I could not belief my eyes.” And for those who are still battling with JAMB, he charged them to put in more effort and fight on. “When a horse pulls you down, you climb it again.”
Other elated students see the offer of admission as a privilege and vow to battle Tsunami with their intellectual might, as they can’t afford to lose the golden opportunity.




Firm restates commitment to research, bankrolls PhD thesis
By Mary Akparanta
Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, a leading manufacturer of foam mattresses, has called on Nigerians to seriously embark on research work as a way to make the country one of the top 20 economies of the world by 2020.
Owing to this, the chairman of the company, Chief S.O. Bolarinde at the 43rd Convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), pledged to sponsor and support research projects that are tailored towards the realization of the country’s economic goals.
Bolarinde, who was represented at the event by the company’s Technical Director, Joel Ajiga Olatoye, said Vitafoam has over the years been supporting research projects in most Nigerian universities, mainly from the Master’s degree level. He added that the company has been supporting students from different universities, providing financial and material resources towards research works.
Olatoye said, one of the recipients, Dr. Latiwon Kayode, has successfully completed his research thesis with UNILAG while another is presently getting some supports for his project at the University of Ilorin.
The idea, he said, is not only to support the students in the realisation of their dreams, but to also encourage developmental endeavours that will be of benefit to the country and the society at large. He said the company took to education as a major part of its corporate social responsibility, having realized that knowledge is a prerequisite to development.
Kayode, a chemical engineering lecturer at the Ladoke Akintola University, said, he had sent a proposal to the company informing them about his research work meant to determine the effect of filler materials on the mechanical properties of flexible polyurethane foam by improving the quality of foam without destroying its properties.
He noted that Vitafoam was instrumental to the success of his research work through material and financial supports as well as providing detailed information about foam making and giving free access to facilities at its factories.




AAUA VC rolls out plans for better varsity
By Victor Gbonegun and Damilola Adeniyi
When newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Prof. Femi Mimiko, has declared plans to improve the status of the university. Mimiko, who made this known during interactive session with the Students’ Union Government representatives of the school said, building the integrity of academic programme would top his agenda. Other plans are credible admission process, access to e-learning library, initiating academic prizes and awards, affiliation of the school’s programmes with international institutions, and staff housing scheme.
It would be recalled that the position of the VC was declared vacant by the state government following the removal of the former one, Prof. Philips Abiodun, owing to report of the investigative panel submitted to governor.
Out of the 14 candidates that participated in the screening exercise, Mimiko topped the list.