Gbajabiamila Assures Better Environment As LASU Inaugurates Conference Centre
The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday emphasised that the federal government was committed to creating environment conducive to learning for students in the country.
The centre, aimed at enhancing academic activities of students and staff. was inaugurated by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
Gbajabiamila said that the building and all the facilities therein were presented to LASU to use and hold in trust for others who would come hereafter.
He urged the institution’s management to ensure that the structure was kept in the best condition.
‘’You should use it for all things good, all things inspiring, and all things worthy,’’ he said.
He said that the projects being commissioned and the ones that might be commissioned in future were borne out of his efforts to meet the expectations of people.
“We facilitated heavy investment in education and healthcare, including constructing and equipping over 20 ICT centres in public schools where children are taught computer programming and coding.
“We have provided solar energy system to light up neighbourhoods and support commercial trades in our constituencies,” he said.
Gbajabiamila said that he had for a long time realised the importance of education and believed that an uneducated generation was a wasted generation.
“I want to see this building as an investment in our country’s future; no amount of money can be too much for education of our youth.
“This building will create an enabling environment for studying among the students.
“I am grateful to my brother, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his support and collaboration through the years.”
Gbajabiamila said that without the partnership with the state government, the vision for the project would have been much more difficult to achieve.
He noted that the conference centre and other projects across Surulere federal constituency and the state were inspired by that sense of duty.
He said that lawmakers not only performed important role as law and policy makers, they also had important function of ensuring that the resources of government met the most pressing needs of local constituencies they represent.
In his speech, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Education commended the Chief of Staff for the project and said that it was worthy of emulation.
Sununu said that part of their agenda in ministry of education was to digitise education in different centres.
“We are planning to inaugurate the digital resources centre in Abuja, which will be connected to 70 smart schools in Nigeria.
“It will help to reduce teachers’ crisis; the centre will allow students to connect physically by asking questions from their teachers,” he said.
Speaking also, Sanwo-Olu commended Gbajabiamila for the project, saying ‘’I’m happy to do this as my first assignment of the year.’’
According to him, the public office is for public growth.
“For us in Lagos, it’s all about collaborative efforts within the public office.
“Gbajabiamila is really serving the country by bringing meaningful interventions and projects to Lagos and also all over Nigeria.
“We are here to hand over this edifice to LASU management, which is a legacy project I’m too proud of.
“LASU has earned this kind of project because anytime I come to LASU as a visitor, I see the great efforts of the management to make this institution the best.
“This is another testimonial for you, I believe that this edifice will be used positively; use it to enhance the quality of education for students and engage in quality conversation,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu explained that in realisation of the fact that Lagos could not only have one state university, two more universities were established.
He said that Lagosians deserved it based on the amount of wealth and knowledge among the people.
Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, Vice-Chancellor of LASU, also commended Gbajabiamila for his show of magnanimity to the university.
She said that the facility was a critical infrastructural intervention as administrative and social engagements continued to grow while staff and students’ population increased.
“Indeed, this is the best new year gift that we can ask for,” she said.
She recounted that Gbajabiamila had previously donated WiFi facility and an equipment for the digitalisation of the university records, both of which had been beneficial to both the students and the institution.
This donation today, and others like this, will go a long way in ameliorating the critical infrastructural needs on our campuses,’’ she said.
Among the dignitaries at the occasion were Mr Wasiu Eshilokun, Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District; Mr Desmond Elliot, member, Lagos State House of Assembly and Mr Tolani Sule, Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Lagos.
, Ojo.){kind=link}