AN ADDRESS BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, PROFESSOR KABIRU ADEREMI ADEYEMO, AT THE 10^TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF LEAD CITY UNIVERSITY, IBADAN, ON THURSDAY, 9^TH NOVEMBER, 2017.

Protocols

Chancellor Sir, It is with immense pleasure that I formally welcome all of you to this historic occasion marking the 10^th Convocation ceremony of our University for the award of Diplomas, first Degrees, Postgraduate and Honorary Degrees across faculties and disciplines. I give God the glory for the opportunity that I have to stand before you today to deliver this convocation address. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the Council, the Senate, the Management, as well as the Staff and Students of Lead City University, I welcome you all to this auspicious occasion. Indeed today is another special day in the life of this University. It is a day on which the 10^th convocation ceremony is held in order to launch another set of our Enterprise Graduates into the world. I equally feel very delighted because this is the first convocation. I will preside over since I took over the leadership of this great institution as the Vice-Chancellor. I am grateful to Almighty God for sparing our lives to witness another landmark in our match towards excellence and greatness.

It gladdens my heart today to welcome His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo GCON (SAN), the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to this great University. Sir, we feel highly honoured and humbled by your esteemed presence here today. We are very grateful to you for finding time out of your very busy schedule to grace this occasion. Your visit will remain indelible in our memory. It is our prayer that God will continue to guide and guard you.

I also welcome our guests, parents, students and well-wishers to the grand finale of the 10^th convocation ceremonies of this great citadel of learning.  We like to use this opportunity to commend His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for their efforts to fight corruption and insecurity in this country. We pray for a quick turnaround of our economy, we also pray that all your restructuring efforts will be successful.

The ceremony today is in the tradition of other Universities in different countries of the world. It marks the important event in which those who have received instructions from the senior scholars and passed prescribed examinations are judged worthy in learning and character to receive their degrees and diplomas. Convocation is usually marked by its grandeur, splendor and allows a University to exhibit its potentials and to report on its efforts, progress and achievements. Lead City University is following that tradition. The faces that I see here today are faces that unequivocally radiate great and worthwhile achievements.

 I welcome the Chancellor of the University, Prof. Gabriel Ogunmola, and the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Prof. Johnson Aladekomo, whose support and guidance has been tremendous. Our indefatigable Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Jide Owoeye, has been an inspiration and has continuously provided exemplary leadership for which the University is most grateful. Our sincere prayer is that God will continue to give him the wisdom to direct this institution  and  the wherewithal to expand the University to greater heights. The University’s image has continued to grow and it has become one of the most preferred Private Universities in Nigeria today. On 7^th July, 2017, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, visited the University and was impressed by what he met on ground. He commissioned the newly completed ultra modern University Mosque and worshipped there with us. The Executive Secretary also visited the University Chapel of Peace and Joy and was also impressed by the fact that the University provides places of worship for the adherents of the two major religions in Nigeria.   

Linkages and Collaborations:

Linkages and international collaborations foster global competency and the sharing of experiences towards the attainment of global academic best practices. I am delighted to report that in pursuant of this university increased its collaborative efforts in academic and professional relationships during the session. Academic visitations to some reputable institutions were undertaken and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on academic collaborations were signed with the highly prestigious University of Ibadan and the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Under the terms of the MOU, our students in the department of Nursing, can now do their Clinical postings at the UCH. Also joint post graduate degree programmes will commence with the Faculty of Law and the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan. Also under MOU with the Nigerian Society of Engineers, training of their young professionals in Electrical fields will commence at our University and this has encouraged us to now apply to the National Universities Commission NUC for the establishment of a Faculty of Engineering. Collaboration with Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators, Chartered Institute of Bankers with whom we have combined degree programmes in Banking and Finance so that our students will have not just the B.Sc degree but also become certified members of the Nigerian Institute of Bankers, also for our students of Accounting who will equally get exemptions to sit for ICAN Examination.  Similar arrangements are being worked out with the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management.

Inaugural Lectures:

As it is the practice in Universities all over the world, this University commenced its Inaugural Lecture Series in July 2012. The 8^th in the series, entitled “Corruption and Money Laundering: An Impediment to Economic Development in Nigeria” was delivered by Prof. K. A. Adeyemo, my humble self. These lectures have been of tremendous benefits to academics, researchers and policy makers. The 9^th Inaugural Lecture will be delivered on 23^rd November, 2017 by Prof. Donald Odeleye, a professor of Counseling Psychology.

Other Distinguished Lectures:

As part of the event marking the Foundation Day on March 14, 2017, a distinguished Public lecture of the University was delivered by Prof. (Mrs.) Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State. The lecture was well attended by people from all walks of life and was very illuminating. The high point in the celebration of the Law Week on March 6 2017 was a Public Lecture delivered by a distinguished Senator, Honourable Buhari Fatai. He spoke on Legislative Commitment on Cyber Crime. That lecture brought into the University the Commissioners of Police from Oyo, Lagos, and Osun States.

Several other faculty lectures and organized learned presentations were held in the University during the session. The annual Lecture of the Faculty of Environment, Management and Social Sciences was held on 24^th November, 2016. The Dean of the faculty, Prof. Williams. Akerele, presented the first paper entitled “Harnessing Informal Sector Potentials for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”, The second lecture, entitled “Achieving Inclusive Development and Economic Transformation in Nigeria”, was delivered by an external resource person, Prof. Olu-Ajakaiye, Chairman, African Centre for Shared Development Capacity Building (ACSDB), Ibadan. The 400 Level students of the Department of Mass Communication also organized a lecture on Youths, Society and Policies. The lecture was delivered at the University International Conference Centre by the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Culture, Oyo State, Mr. Toye Arulogun. The Faculty of Education: held her second Biennial International Conference themed:  ‘Education, Security and Sustainability’.

In collaboration with the World Health Organization and the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Adedapo Adeogun, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry, facilitated two workshops on capacity building for Malaria, Vector Control, Resistance Research in Nigeria. The workshops took place in Kwara and Lagos States.  

Prof. Allan Femi Lana was honoured at a Community Engagement day ceremony on 29^th September, 2017 as the pioneer Founding Director of the famous Institute for Rural Development and Community Engagement at the Mangosuthu University of Technology in Durban, South Africa, on 25^th April 2017. Dr. Philip Achimugu, the Head of Department of Computer Science, was appointed as keynote speaker and Chair of World Education Day in Dalian, China. He was also appointed as an External Examiner of a Ph.D viva in India, on 27^th June, 2017. Dr. Philip Achimugu and Dr. Oluwatolani Achimugu, of the same Department, were inducted as Chartered Information Technology Professionals by Registration Council of Nigeria (CPR).  On 3^rd October, 2017, the Department of Computer Science also initiated a collaborative academic programme in Remote Sensing/GIS and Satellite Communications with Cooperative Information Network (COPINE), located at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, a Regional Space Application Laboratory located in the South West Geographical zone of Nigeria under the management of National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Abuja. On 30^th – 31^st October, 2017, the Department hosted the first International Conference on Applied ICT at the International Conference Centre of the University.

Dr. B.A. Adebo, Head of the Department of Basic Sciences, attended the University of Michigan (USA) organized Summer School of Oceanography hosted by the Regional Maritime University (BMU), Ghana, between 31^st July and 4^th August, 2017. He presented a paper entitled “The Dynamics of Saltwater Intrusion in Coastal Aquifers”.  One of our lecturers, Dr. Mac Donald Ighodaro, bagged his Ph.D in Biochemistry from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. For the first time in the history of this Department, two (2) candidates have successfully completed their post-graduate diploma programmes and would be conferred with these degrees at this convocation.

Library Collections:

Significant printed materials were added to the Library collections during the year under review, as shown below:

The Library was able to offer access to at least two (2) current foreign journal titles for each of the programmes in the University through ingenious purchase of online journal production. This has complimented the printed acquisitions.

Library Automation and Development of In-House Database:   

The long standing proposal to automate the Lead City University library processes and to create in-house database of collection was successfully implemented this year with KOHA software. The project was undertaken fully with in-house manpower and skills.

E-journals and e-books:      

The Library offered access to several thousands of e-journals and e-books through direct subscriptions as well as access to open source journals. Direct hyperlinks to six (6) databases on regular subscription are now available on the library Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) interface to facilitate access.

The Library presented the 2^nd Lead City University Research Committee Seminar titled: Library and Information Service in Scholarly Environment: Opportunities & Challenges. The seminar took place in February with the entire university community as audience. The Library staff assisted by other Adjunct Lecturers spearheaded the process of securing full accreditation for the B.Sc Library & Information Science programme.

Quality Assurance:

Lead City University is synonymous with quality and we are determined to ensure the quality of our academic programmes for the production of highly qualified and skilled graduates who will be self reliant and job creators. To foster a culture of high quality assurance in all programmes, the university has developed a frame work for continuous quality management and control. The Quality Control Unit conducts a host of activities that are designed to improve the quality of inputs, processes and outputs of the University system.

The Quality Control Unit over the years has been able to ensure that excellent performance processes in all aspects of the university functions are appropriate and relevant by ensuring that the curriculum conforms to NUC standards and guidelines, that lectures hold at appropriate times, and that lecturers conform to the schedule of the courseware submitted.

The unit created questionnaires for students, and with this, it was able to coordinate students’ evaluation of staff and of the various programmes. The Unit also ensures that all students observe the institution’s dress code. It also ensures that all Departments comply with academic briefs, staff - student ratio, quality and mix.

Accreditation:

The National Universities Commission (NUC) team visited the University for the purpose of verification and accreditation of programmes in May and June this year. We now have 45 of our programmes accredited and approved by the NUC. The University is blessed with a team of dedicated lecturers and administrative staff that are first among equals. There is no programme with Denied Accreditation status while all our 8 new programmes have been verified and approved. For our graduates to be competitive in the employment market, we have introduced training in Information Communication Technology into every programme of the University through our partnership with New Horizon. In addition to the NUC accreditation, other professional bodies have also accredited our professional programmes.

Service to the Community:

The University has continued to keep to one of its cardinal objectives of providing quality social services to people within its immediate environment. To this end, we offer scholarships and financial assistance to indigent students to study in our institution. We have been able to sustain and develop virile community recreation programmes that have fostered sound town and grown relationship with our host community as well as parents, government agencies and individuals. Lead City University signed a partnership agreement with Visiola Foundation to provide scholarships and mentoring to girls and young women who lack the financial resources required to further their education. I wish to inform you that one of the recipients, Omolara Kassim graduated with a first class Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. Omolara Kassim received an internship from Millipore Sigma (a leading US- based bio-technology company to work on gene editing).

We also make available the use of International Conference Centre and Adeline Hall at moderate cost. Our gym, swimming pool and other sports stadium, indoor and outdoor facilities are also made available to our community at little or no cost. The University Health Centre has been upgraded to a full fledged Hospital with expanded and up to date facilities to cater for the Medical and Dental needs of staff, students and members of the public. The hospital has 5 medical Doctors, a pharmacist, twenty-five nurses, one dentist, dentist assistants, medical laboratory technologists and a standby ambulance on 24-hour basis. The newly completed ultra-modern symbolic synthetic layer sports field also serves the purpose of facilitating recreation and sport activities for the University and the public at large.

Entrepreneurship:

Our centre for Entrepreneurship was set up to enhance and train our students on vocational skills based on their interest. At the centre, students take out time to meet with our carefully selected trainers on batiks, tie and dye, catering, bakery, event decorations, hairstyling and spa and poultry farming.  They are to be certified before graduation on one of the skills of their choice. This is in line with NUC requirements for graduating. We also have survey of the products which we produce at this time of the year as gift items. These include our dishwashing soap, hand wash, Shea butter, air freshener, bleach, insecticides, Lead City bread and we are working on the stability of our bottled water production with our special mould. During the year we partnered with Oyo State Ministry of Industry to develop synergy with other entrepreneurship agencies. This brought to our campus agencies like SMEDAN, NDE, FIIRO, copyright commission etc. This initiative will assist our students in the form of access to the right sources of assistance for their business after graduation. Our B.Sc Entrepreneurship students are constantly challenged to be creative and competitive Business plan models are encouraged. We are open to partnership on research and innovation by individuals and corporate organizations.  The B.Sc Entrepreneurship programme was accredited by NUC during this session.

Major Achievements in the 2016/2017 Academic Session:

Permit me to outline some of the activities that we embarked upon in the past one year. We have successfully accomplished the following:

• Award of scholarship to deserving undergraduates and Postgraduate students
• Enhanced infrastructure development
• Major capital improvements on Building projects
• Presentation of 8^th Inaugural lecture to deepen intellectual Discourse
• Purchase of additional Science Laboratory Equipments
• A new Hostel block of 120 rooms is 80% completed.
• Organization of different capacity building programmes for academic and non-academic staff
• Sponsorship of staff to learned conferences within and outside Nigeria.
• Promoting of learning on air via academic programmes through lectures delivered on Lead City FM Radio 89.1. While our second radio station, Lead FM 106.3 provides lifestyle programmes targeted at the youths within and outside our campus.
• 80% Completion of Ultra Modern Sport Stadium excluding the tartan athletic tracks.

Staff Matters:

As the University continues to expand and to introduce new programmes, more staff members are engaged to meet the academic requirements and ensure that the University is effectively and efficiently run.

Staff Promotion:

In keeping with its vision and mission, the University Management ensures that all categories of staff get their promotions as soon as they satisfy the requirements for promotion.

I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate the academic and non-academic staff, who  through hard work and service to the University,  progressed in their career over the year, Ten (10) academic staff members were promoted to the professorial cadre.

The younger members of academic staff who do not have a PhD are encouraged and supported to enroll in our Post Graduate programmes and in the postgraduate programmes of other Universities for their higher degrees including Doctoral ones. We are lucky to have attracted a number of experienced senior academic staff from various Universities to take up lectureship positions in Lead City University. These serve as mentors to the younger staff and ensure that proper academic standards and traditions are maintained. The University has a very good welfare package for all staff.

Recognition and Research Experience of our Academic Staff

Lead City University academic staff members continue to make remarkable and notable achievements in the research space which led to their various awards and recognition.

Learned Conferences Held in the University:

The University hosted some learned conferences within the period under review; Participants came from different parts of the countries. Many staff members were sponsored and supported to attend both local and international conferences during the year. This includes, Advancing Women’s Development for sustainable Development in Africa and Beyond (RAGA),

Keynote Speaker: Prof. Remi Sonaiya, International Conference Centre, Lead City University, Ibadan. Tuesday 10^th – Thursday 12^th October, 2017.

1^st International Conference on Applied ICT (ICAICT) October 30 – 31, 2017 at Lead City University, Ibadan. Keynote Speaker: Prof. Amos David from Lorraine University, France.

Graduation Statistics:

On the whole 590 graduands have been found worthy both in character and learning for the award of various categories of degrees and diplomas of the University.

By the authority of the senate of this University, all deserving students will be awarded Diplomas, Bachelor’s Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Master’s Degrees today. These students have performed well in their various disciplines. Besides, some of the outstanding students will receive Prize awards.  

The Analysis of the results is as follows:

(a). Total for Undergraduate programmes : 447

(b). Postgraduate programme (PGD, M.Sc & MBA) 143

Total number Graduating: = 590

The breakdown of the Enterprise Class of 2017 is as follows:

PERCENTAGE BY GENDER

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the department of Microbiology has produced the best

Graduating student in the University with 5.0CGPA. Her name is Ayomide Mary Olukorede. The best graduating student male is Amedu Anthony, with 4.77 CGPA. He is from the Department of Mass Communication and Media Technology.

Conferment of Honorary Degrees:

Worthy of note is the fact that today, we are bestowing our highest honours on two of our eminent personalities.. The recipients are individuals who have distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavor. Today, two eminent Nigerians will be honoured with Honourary Doctorate degres. They are Mr. Kolade Mosuro, Chairman, Book Sellers Limited and Mr Victor Osibodu (MFR), Chairman, Vigeo Holdings Ltd and Chairman, Board of Directors, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. Mr Kolade Mosuro will receive Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) while Mr Victor Osibodu will also receive Doctor of Busniess Administration (Honoris Causa)

 They have distinguished themselves in their commendable services to the academics, country and humanity.

Message to our Graduands:  

I congratulate all of you, our young graduands of today, on having successfully completed your programmes of studies and on having been judged worthy of receiving our degrees. You should bear it in mind that your parents on one hand and the University on the other have both combined to invest a lot on you. We expect a lot of good things from you. The attainment of a University degree is not the end of life, but be the beginning of a new life of service to your country and to humanity. Those ideas and standards which have been brought to your attention during your period of studentship here must now be put into practice. As the older generation of Nigerians must take their exist, along with the products of our other sister Universities constitute the pillars of hope on which the country would rest. You can therefore not afford to fail. It is “no” to corruption, vices, nepotism, internet fraud, and bribery, to mention but a few. It is “yes” to handwork, selfless service, honesty, integrity and charity. The formal and informal training that you have received is to enable you fulfill God’s purpose in your lives and to be a blessing to your generation and the generations yet unborn. We believe that you will be our good representatives and ambassadors wherever you find yourselves. I take this opportunity to welcome you into the fold of the Lead City University Alumni Association. We hope that you will maintain strong links with the University and assist it in building up an enduring reputation. May the Almighty God see you through all your life challenges. You will not stumble by the way; you will receive help before the need arises.

Your predecessors have made us proud from the constant heartwarming reports we receive about them either from employers or from reputable institutions abroad where they have excelled in their various postgraduate programmes. By the grace of God, we will be receiving positive reports from you too after you have left us. Keep the flag flying and the Almighty God will keep you and make His countenance to shine on you, and may His goodness and mercies continue to envelope you all the days of your life. Your life will be a reference point for those that desire to excel.

Our Needs:

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, our modest achievements notwithstanding I wish to seek your support on some of the current needs of the University. The institution can be supported financially; it can be supported with donations of physical facilities like buildings. Other ways by which the University can be assisted to actualize its vision include:

• Endowment of professional chairs in various disciplines. The professional chairs will be named after the donors who will undertake to pay the salaries of the professors.
• Doctoral and Post-Doctoral fellowships for our academic staff
• Donation of books and other learning materials
• Sponsorship of students for degree programmes in the University. We have degree programmes with low tuition fees as well.
• Partnership of individuals, corporate bodies and organizations in various areas
• Institution of prizes and awards for outstanding students and staff.
• Provision of student hostels under Board of Trustee (BOT) Agreement.

We will immortalize those who endow infrastructures or facilities on campus by naming whatever they donate after them.

Clarion call to the Government

Table 1

University Student Enrolment by Proprietorship

Source: NUC, 2013 in Adedipe (2014:101)

Table 2

Enrolment Per University on Proprietor Basis

Source: NUC, 2013 in Adedipe (2014:102)

We must commend the Federal Government Policy of encouraging the establishment of Private Universities to alleviate the crisis of poor access into our tertiary education systems.  As at today, we have far more private Universities ( 68 ) than Federal (40) or State Universities (38). However, the private Universities system accounts for a mere 7% of the entire student population in Nigerian Universities. The average number of students per University on proprietor’s basis shown in Tables 1 & 2 above indicates a setback for the objective of the Nigerian Government to use Private Universities to expand access to higher education. The reason for this is simple: Utilizing tax payers’ money, the Federal Universities charges zero tuition fees. The States Governments also use tax payers’ funds to subsidize tuition fees in their Universities. However in private Universities, the same Nigerian students and their parents bear the full and heavy burden of tuition fees alone without any relief from government even though they too are tax payers at both Federal and State Levels.  The consequences have been the inability of Private Universities to admit students to their full capacity.

As a suggestion, the Federal and State Governments could provide Scholarships for indigent students applying to the Private Universities. That would not only help to decongest the government owned Universities, but also enhance the capacity of the Private Universities as regards their own funding base as they solely depend on School Fees and excruciating high interest bank loans to fund their operations.

Alternatively, Government could revisit the student’s loans board for giving out loans to student for repayment after graduation.  The BVN now would make it more possible to track the recipient schedule of repayment in an educational electronic wallet tied to every bankable adult.

Chancellor Sir, it is hoped that the golden opportunity of having the full presence of the Federal Government in this auditorium today, will eventually bring to an end the discrimination against students in Private Universities and their tax paying parents. Otherwise, we will continue with over-crowded campuses in Federal and State Universities while most private Universities remain practically empty and unable to fill their NUC/JAMB admission quotas.

Appreciation:

Your Excellencies, visiting Vice-Chancellors, Rectors of Polytechnics, Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen. a tree, as the saying goes, does not make a forest. Lead City University as a Private University has enjoyed tremendous assistance, collaboration and goodwill from individual organizations and institutions. We therefore use this opportunity to thank them all for their support and contributions towards realizing the vision of our University. I must appreciate the firm support and understanding of the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed since I assume office as Acting Vice-Chancellor, I had enjoyed the brotherly support and cooperation of the Executive Secretary towards the growth and development of our University, Thank you sir. My sincere appreciation goes to Prof. Temitope Alonge CMD, UCH and his management team for signing the MOU with us thereby allowing our Nursing students from the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences to do their Clinical postings attachment at the University College Hospital. I equally appreciate Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, Vice-Chancellor University of Ibadan for his support on joint postgraduate degrees in Faculty of Law and Institute of African Studies. Equally important, I wish to thank Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his highly educative, inspiring and thought provoking lecture which he delivered yesterday during the convocation lecture.

My sincere thanks go to the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Onabajo. He deserves special commendation for the fort-rightness and doggedness with which he pursued the development agenda of the University when he was here. I want to acknowledge once more, the support of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Jide Owoeye and his amiable wife, Chief Mrs. Taiwo Owoeye, the Senate, the Principal Officers and the cooperation of the rank and files of teaching and non-teaching staff as well as the students of the University. Their support at various levels cannot be over-emphasized. I commend their high sense of responsibility, commitment, dedication and passion for excellence in the performance of their duties. I salute every member of the University’s ceremonial committee for a job well done. I also congratulate you proud parents and guardians and well wishers as you witness this memorable day. I pray that God will enable you to keep the harvest of your labour over these ones. They will excel and make a difference to their generation. They will always be a source of joy to you, your family, this institution and the nation at large. It shall be well with you now and in the future. As closing remarks, I like to appreciate the Almighty God, who has been kind to us as an institution. If not for God, where shall we be today? I want to thank Him for making today a reality.

On behalf of the Chancellor, the Governing Council, the Senate and the entire staff and students of our great University, I thank you all for being part of today’s convocation. I wish you journey mercies to your respective destinations. Thank you all for your attention and God Bless you.

Professor Remi Adeyemo,    

NCE, B.Sc, MBA, M.Sc, MBA, MA, LLB, LLM, BL, Ph.D, FCPA