A NEW DAWN OF HOPE, CONSOLIDATION AND PROGRESS: CELEBRATING PROF. AYODEJI OLAWUMI BADJEO, FCASSON, FAPROCORN, MNAE 5 OFFICIAL DAYS IN OFFICE BY_ IBIKUNLE G.A PhD.

As an opening remarks, may I commence with a show of gratitude to His Excellency, the 15th Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olushola Sanwoolu, his deputy ,Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, the Speaker of LAHA Rt.Hon Mudashiru Obasa, the Pro-Chancellor Mr Babatunde Ogala (SAN) and members of the Governing Council , the greatest LASU community and most importantly the Asiwaju of Politics and Leadership His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making the swiftest and unimaginable appointment of LASU 10th Substantive Vice-chancellor. Thank you for this remarkable feat!

Today history is made and our hope is renewed! 5 days out of 5 years...We are witnessing not just a change of baton, but the continuity of a great dream that began in 1983.

On behalf of all well-wishers of Lagos State University, may I heartily congratulate Prof. Ayodeji Olawunmi BADJEO, FCASSON, FAPROCORN, MNAE, on your well-deserved appointment as the 10th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University.

Vice-chancellor Ma'am! Your emergence and assumption of office and spending five official days already is no accident. You are a scholar of depth, an administrator of proven capacity, and a leader whose acronyms speak - Fellow, Chartered, Certified, and Nationally recognized. You come prepared.

You stand on the shoulders of giants. Nine builders came before you, each laying a block in the edifice we now call LASU - the best State University in Nigeria.

We honour their legacy today:

1. Prof. Folabi Olumide (1983–1988) - The Pioneer, who had the courage to start from the scratch.

2. Prof. Jadesola Akande (1989–1993) - The Amazon, who gave LASU its first touch of academic boldness and discipline.

3. Prof. Enitan Bababunmi (1993–1996) - The Stabilizer in turbulent times.

4. Prof. Fatiu Ademola Akesode (1997–2001) - The Reformer, who repositioned LASU for relevance.

5. Prof. Abisogun Leigh (2001–2005) - The Builder of structures and systems.

6. Prof. Abdul Lateef A. Hussein (2005–2011) - The Expansionist, who took LASU to Epe and beyond.

7. Prof. John Obafunwa (2011–2015) - The Man of Due Process and academic integrity.

8. Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, SAN (2016–2021) - The Visionary leader who made LASU globally visible and number 2 in Nigeria.

9. Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello (2021–2026)- Our Amazon II, who consolidated, digitalized, and made LASU the Best State University and most sought-after.

Vice-chancellor Ma'am, each of them achieved despite the challenges they faced. May I channel your mandate to "Build on their achievements, refine their weaknesses, and refurbish LASU for even greater glory". On behalf of Progressives in LASU, we urge you, ma'am:

- Build on Olumide's courage by daring to dream bigger - a world-class research university.

- Build on Akande's boldness and Olatunji-Bello's motherly consolidation by making LASU more inclusive, student-centered and globally competitive.

- Build on Akesode's reform and Fagbohun's global ranking by pushing LASU into the Top 500 universities in the world.

- Refine and refurbish where there were gaps - in staff welfare, in town-gown relationship, in entrepreneurship, in digital infrastructure, and in making LASU a truly industrial hub for Lagos State.

Vice-chancellor Ma'am! Let your tenure be the "Bridge of Succession, Sustainability, Correction, Welfarism and Prosperity for all"

As you continue this journey in the exalted office as a progressive numêro uno in LASU, we pray for you:

May you be protected from the manipulations of hypnotists , vultures of regression and personal pocket satisfiers who veer leaders with good intentions off a good course. May your wisdom be deeper than your predecessors.

May your achievements outlive your tenure and your name shall be written in gold in the annals of LASU and the world. Amin!

LASU has waited for a new hope. That hope is here. That progress is in your hands ma'am because you are rooted deeply on ojo campus and all other campuses, a round peg in a round hole.

Congratulations once again, Prof. Ayodeji Olawunmi BADJEO. The 10th is here to make LASU 10 times greater.

God Bless LASU!

God Bless Lagos State! God bless Nigerians!

© IBIKUNLE G.A., PhD

Senior Lecturer 

Department of Educational Management 

Lagos State University Ojo