Epe campus of the Lagos State University (LASU) was agog, on Wednesday, for the commissioning of a 550-seater auditorium endowed to the school.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu formally opened the imposing, purpose-built edifice donated by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr. Olatunji Bello.
The auditorium, completed with an artistic facade, was endowed to the school four years ago to mark Bello’s 60th birthday. The opening of the facility fulfilled the pledge made by the former Secretary to Lagos State Government.
Academics, veteran journalists, top government officials and students gathered at the ceremony where the auditorium was inaugurated. The event also attended by former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Segun Osoba, and top Lagos political leaders.
Sanwo-Olu described the facility as a “beacon of knowledge, creativity and intellectual engagement”, noting that the edifice was completed to enhance academic discourse and cultural exchange that would enrich students’ learning and inspire them for excellence.
The Governor said: “This iconic edifice, generously donated by one of our illustrious sons, Hon. Olatunji Bello, stands as a testament to vision, commitment, and the enduring value of giving back to society. The former Secretary to the State Government has, over the years, contributed immensely to the growth and development of our dear State.
“This modern facility is more than just a building; it is a beacon of knowledge, creativity and intellectual engagement. The auditorium will serve as a hub for academic discourse, cultural exchange, and strategic gatherings, enriching the learning environment for our students and inspiring them to aim for excellence.”
Sanwo-Olu thanked the FCCPC boss for the donation, stressing that the endowment aligned with Education and Technology component of his administration’s THEMES+ Agenda.
The Governor said his administration had been providing world-class education facilities to LASU to advance academic culture, pledging that his Government would not hesitate to support individual and corporate efforts geared towards bringing more infrastructure to the school.
He said the auditorium would not only advance culture of excellence, it would also bring more opportunities that would further raise academic confidence in the school.
“This endowment perfectly aligns with our vision for a Greater Lagos where the government, institutions, and private citizens join hands to advance education and empower the next generation,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the auditorium was not just an architectural masterpiece, but also a testament to the power of an individual’s commitment to public good.
The project, the Minister observed, demonstrated how visionary citizens could shape institutions and inspire generations.
Congratulating Bello on the philanthropic gesture, Alausa said: “Today’s event is not only a celebration of brick and mortar, but of vision, sacrifice and legacy. We celebrate a man who donated this edifice that proudly bears his name; he is a distinguished statesman, an accomplished public servant, an exceptional journalist and an administrator of rare courage.”
Former LASU Pro Chancellor, Sir David Sunmoni, said the edifice represented a “classic example of individual’s social responsibility”, adding that the endowment charted new path in donating back to the society.
LASU Vice Chancellor and wife of the donor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said the facility represented more than a new architectural beauty on the campus, but a strategic investment in academic excellence and institutional identity.
“It reinforces the fundamental truth that where we invest in education, we invest in tomorrow’s leaders,” the VC noted, pointing out that the FCCPC boss had, through word and deed, inscribed his name in the permanent record of LASU’s growth story.
Bello’s philanthropic project, the VC said, added to the scholarship opportunities yearly offered by her husband to reward graduates who excelled in Engineering, Social Sciences, Mass Communication, Law and medicine.
Speaking on inspiration behind the project, Bello said his desire to leave an enduring legacy in academia led to the construction of the auditorium.
He stressed that the gesture was his own way of supporting the notion that public purpose would be served better by helping public universities fill the infrastructural gap.
“Certainly, the government alone cannot do it. Private individuals who really have the means should invest in public tertiary education to create more opportunities as prevalent in several developed countries,” Bello said.
The FCCPC boss announced that his friend had contracted a private management company with the maintenance of the auditorium for one year before handing it over to the school to continue its maintenance.
The auditorium is designed to meet the global standards for functionality and spatial efficiency. The auditorium hall is equipped with compact writing platforms, which ensures versatility for lectures, academic seminars and theatrical performances.
The edifice has overhead gallery that enhances the space capacity and flexibility. Its stage is supported by cloak rooms and three units of 30-seater classrooms which can be merged for larger gathering. There is also an open space for office that can be partitioned into office units.