NANS honours UNILAG VC

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has presented an award and certificate of credence to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Prof Rahamon Bello.

Justifying the award at the Senate Chambers, NANS Vice President, Oluwatosin Ogunkuade, said the Vice Chancellor was being honoured for his leadership acumen towards the resuscitation of student union activities, academic stability and development of the university.

He also noted that Bello’s administration has graduated the highest number of First Class students ever in the history of the university, provided alternative means of power supply, helped to reduce unemployment by employing the two best graduating students of each programme offered in the university, among other achievements.

Receiving the award, Bello attributed his achievements to support of the management of the institution.

“I accept the honour bestowed on me today on behalf of the management of the University of Lagos. The event is unusual in UNILAG. We do not normally go all out to get all these kinds of accolades while we are serving. We like people to form their opinions and pool them. When we are out of the office, you can now state it or put it in any form you like. But for NANS, we are happy and we welcome you”, he said.

The Vice Chancellor said the students of UNILAG were never left out, even when there was no student union.  However, he noted that the union had to be resuscitated to inculcate leadership and administrative training in the students.

He said: “We never left the students behind while running the affairs of the university, but the leadership was missing. Without the student unionism in place, their education is not complete and we believe that the experience would help them in future dealings and know how to administer situations better.”

He noted that his administration was inclusive of students’ opinions and mindful of their complaints with free and direct access to his office through telephone lines and email, as well as that of the Dean of Students Affairs.