The Senate of the Lagos State University (LASU) at an emergency meeting on Monday elected Professor Oyedamola Oke as the new Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution.
Professor Oke, who before his election was the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration emerged acting VC after polling 61 votes, defeating the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Wahab Elias who polled 51 votes.
He took over in Acting Capacity from Professor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun (SAN), whose tenure ended on January 10, 2021 as the eighth substantive vice chancellor of the institution.
His appointment has been ratified by the governing council of the university as he is expected to act for 45 days pending the appointment of a substantive ninth vice-chancellor for the university.
Professor Fagbohun also on Monday handed over the mantle of leadership of the university to the newly elected acting VC, Professor Oke.
The newly elected acting VC is a Professor of Plant Pathology and Former Dean, Faculty of Science. He joined LASU as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Botany in 1984, and rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2004.
It would be recalled that the Lagos State Governor and Visitor to LASU, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu last week Friday cancelled the ongoing process of appointing a substantive ninth Vice Chancellor for the university while he directed that a fresh process that would terminate in 45days commence immediately.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also directed the outgoing vice chancellor, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun to convene an emergency Senate meeting for the purpose of appointing one of the Deputy Vice Chancellors, who is not a candidate in the cancelled selection process as Acting Vice Chancellor from Monday, January 11, 2021 when the tenure of the incumbent VC is expires.
The cancellation of the ongoing process came after a thorough investigation and stakeholders engagement, necessitated by various petitions against the selection process.
Professor Fagbohun shortly after handing over attended a pull-out parade organised by the security unit of the university as an honour to end his five-year tenure as the eighth substantive vice-chancellor of LASU.
In his brief address, Professor Fagbohun commended the security unit, saying they have effectively discharged their duties in the last five years in spite of the limited resources.
“There were a number of issues but we were able to discuss and resolve them. Even though, we didn’t have the full resources to give you to do your job, that did not deter you, you delivered well. As I bow out, I hand you over to the Acting VC, Professor Oke,” he said.
He therefore appealed to the unit to accord the acting VC the kind of cooperation that was given to him to stamp out evil activities on the campuses.
LASU is the second best university in Nigeria as rated by The Times Higher Education Universities World ranking.
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