Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said his administration will continue to ensure tertiary education in the state remains relevant and takes its pride of place through innovative ideas and practical knowledge for students to compete favourably with their counterparts globally.
Governor Sanwo-Olu gave this assurance at the University of Lagos Faculty of Engineering’s 60th Anniversary celebration and Sixth Alumni Public Lecture themed “The Nigerian Power Industry: Past, Present, and Future,” held at the university campus in Akoka, Lagos.
The governor, while giving the assurance, disclosed that his administration established two state-owned universities, namely Lagos State University of Technology and University of Education, during his first term, saying that there was a plan to establish the University of Medical Sciences next year to increase the number of state-owned universities to four, aimed at addressing medical tourism in the country.
Sanwo-Olu, who was the chairman at the event, which featured the relaunch of the development fund for the Faculty of Engineering, said the faculty had become a beacon of theoretical excellence and should be supported to produce future engineers.
The governor, therefore, charged different public and private organisations, particularly government officials, to contribute towards the growth and development of their alma mata and hold the hands of students for on-the-spot practical work on sites.
Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, in her earlier remarks, called for support for the coming generation of engineers, urging the alumni to donate towards the redevelopment and regeneration of the Faculty of Engineering.
Also speaking, UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, stressed the need for alumni support for the growth of the institution, calling on them to continue to collaborate with the university to achieve the development of Nigeria, which she said can only be made possible by training engineers of the future.
The Chairman, UNILAG Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association, Engr. Dideolu Falobi, who was represented by his vice, Engr. Yetunde Holloway said the faculty had over the years nurtured scholars and produced exceptional minds.
Falobi, therefore, appealed to all alumni to come together and leverage their positions in society as well as resources to make the Faculty of Engineering of the institution, the Harvard of Nigeria.
The Dean Faculty of Engineering, UNILAG, Prof. Samson Adeosun, also in his speech, urged the alumni to continue to support shaping the future of engineering education as they looked forward to emerging technology to foster sustainable solutions and cultivate global partnerships.
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