Lagos State University (LASU), on Tuesday, welcomed its 6th Chancellor. He is Oba (Dr.) Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, the Alara of Ilara Kingdom in Epe Division of Lagos.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Visitor to the school, presided over the ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Alausa, where the traditional ruler was invested and sworn in.
The investiture was attended by members of the institution’s Governing Council, management and traditional rulers.
The law setting up the university empowers the Visitor to appoint chancellor, who shall hold office for five years and shall be eligible for reappointment for a second and final term of five years.
Sanwo-Olu, exercising the power conferred on him by Section 1 of the first Schedule of the Lagos State University Law of 2004 (as amended), appointed Ogunsanwo to succeed Prof. Gbolahan Elias, SAN, who completed his term.
Ogunsanwo, former chairman of Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS), became the first traditional ruler to hold the position in LASU.
Sanwo-Olu said the choice of Ogunsanwo as the school chancellor represented a convergence of tradition and modernity essential for sustainable progress of the academic institution. He said the appointment reflected the recognition of traditional institution’s relevance in governance, social cohesion and moral leadership.
The Governor said the traditional ruler possessed a sterling track record of service, noting that Ogunsanwo’s commitment to community development, and his embodiment of integrity and cultural heritage made him qualified for the role.
Sanwo-Olu said: “This appointment is both deliberate and historic. For the first time since the establishment of Lagos State University, a traditional ruler has been entrusted with the exalted office of chancellor. The appointment is deliberate because it reflects our recognition of the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in governance, social cohesion, and moral leadership.
“Oba Ogunsanwo’s emergence represents a convergence of tradition and modernity, which is an essential alignment for a society seeking sustainable progress. The office of the chancellor occupies a unique and revered place in the life of the university. It is a position that symbolises continuity, dignity, and the enduring values upon which the institution is built. Beyond its ceremonial significance, the chancellor serves as a moral compass, a custodian of tradition, and an ambassador of the university’s ideals.”
Sanwo-Olu charged the new chancellor to uphold the dignity and traditions of the university, while promoting unity among the school’s governing organs.
The Governor told the chancellor that the public’s expectation of him was to sustain LASU’s position as a citadel of excellence producing academically sound, ethically grounded and socially responsible graduates.
The university, Sanwo-Olu urged the chancellor, must continue to serve as a hub for policy-relevant research and a strategic partner in advancing solutions to contemporary challenges.
The Governor said: “This investiture marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of LASU. It is a chapter that, we are confident, will be defined by stability, growth and renewed prestige.
“We will continue to provide the enabling environment necessary for the university to thrive, while also expecting the highest standards of performance and accountability from all stakeholders.”
Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Tolani Sule, described Ogunsanwo’s appointment as “a fusion of intellect, heritage and higher learning”, stressing that the chancellor would leverage his experience and connections to enable the university meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global knowledge.
Sule said: “Kabiyesi comes at a critical and exciting time in the history of this great institution. The expectations are high, but so too is the confidence we repose in his leadership. His appointment brings forth a rare blend of traditional authority and modern insight that will undoubtedly strengthen the moral, cultural, and intellectual fabric of the university.”
In his acceptance remarks, Ogunsanwo, who is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Business Administration at LASU, promised to work harmoniously with the Visitor, the Governing Council and the university management to strengthen the values and traditions defining the aspirations of the school.