A group, the Lagos State Prominent Indigenes Platform, has applauded the appointment of Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU).

She will take over from Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who is retiring after completing her five- year term.
In a strongly worded statement by the group in Lagos yesterday, and signed by Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, the group described  Sanwo-Olu’s appointment as transparent, credible and merit-driven.

“We understand that the candidate adjudged to be the best and most qualified was ultimately appointed.
“This commendable outcome reflects the sterling qualities of the distinguished individuals appointed to the Governing Council of LASU under the chairmanship of Mr B.K. Ogalla, particularly Dr Aderemi Desalu, whose integrity, sound principles and commitment to excellence are widely acknowledged.”

The group noted that among the three prominent scholars—all distinguished Lagos State indigenes—Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo (née Faji) emerged as the successful candidate following a selection process that “we consider credible and transparent.”

“We are pleased that Professor Badejo, a woman, will take over the helm of affairs from Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, another distinguished woman, who will be retiring from LASU upon the completion of her five-year tenure.

“We warmly congratulate the incoming Vice-Chancellor and wish her a successful, impactful and highly productive tenure.

“We trust that, under her leadership, LASU will attain even greater academic excellence, strengthen its global reputation and rank among the leading universities in Nigeria, Africa and the world,” the group stated.

It wished that Lagos State University would continue to progress and excel in its academic delivery.

The Ibadan Red Roof Initiative (IRRI) has partnered with Atiba University Oyo (AUO) to expand access to education, promote youth development and drive sustainable community development initiatives in Oyo State and beyond.

Under the partnership, Atiba University has been selected as a destination for qualified beneficiaries of the IRRI Scholarship Award, subject to the university’s admission requirements and applicable academic and regulatory provisions.

The collaboration is expected to provide deserving young Nigerians with greater opportunities to pursue higher education while equipping them with the knowledge, skills, values and leadership capacity required to contribute meaningfully to their communities and society.
As part of the agreement, Atiba University will also serve as the principal base for IRRI’s activities in Oyo State, providing a platform for the implementation and coordination of the initiative’s educational, leadership, youth development, sporting and community engagement programmes.

The partnership reflects the shared commitment of both organisations to creating opportunities for young people, strengthening communities and deploying education and purposeful social intervention as tools for sustainable development.

Commending the partnership, IRRI expressed appreciation to the Founder/President of Atiba University Oyo, James Adesokan Ojebode, as well as the university’s management, staff and students, for embracing the collaboration and supporting its development.

The initiative said it considers education one of the most powerful instruments for transforming individuals, families and communities.
“Through the scholarship programme and other initiatives envisaged under the partnership, the organisation seeks to support deserving young people in pursuing their educational aspirations and developing the capacity to contribute positively to Nigeria’s growth and development,” IRRI said.

In another development, IRRI announced that it had received a gift of 20 acres of land to support the future development of programmes and facilities.

The proposed facilities may include a golf practice range and related sporting activities, camping and outdoor recreational activities, youth and community sporting events, educational, leadership and skills-development programmes, as well as community development and empowerment initiatives.

According to the initiative, the proposed development is envisioned as a dynamic platform where education, recreation, youth engagement, leadership development and community empowerment can converge to create lasting social impact.

The partnership, IRRI said, goes beyond providing educational opportunities, as it represents a shared vision of building people, strengthening communities and creating platforms through which young Nigerians can discover, develop and fulfil their potential both in Nigeria and through opportunities abroad.

Both organisations stressed the importance of collaboration among educational institutions, community organisations, private-sector stakeholders, philanthropists, development partners and other well-meaning individuals and organisations in achieving sustainable development.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ex-Nigerian presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and other eminent Nigerians will be honoured on Thursday in Abuja as The Daily Times of Nigeria recognises eminent Nigerians who have made their mark in different fields of endeavour.

The event, tagged: DTN@100 Heroes Award, is part of the activities to mark the Centenary of the Daily Times of Nigeria.

The final announcement was made yesterday in Lagos during a press briefing.

Mr Bolaji Okusaga, Chairman, DTN@100 Heroes Awards Council, said Thursday’s event forms a major component of the centenary celebrations of The Daily Times, Nigeria’s iconic newspaper of record, which began publication in 1926 and has chronicled the country’s political, economic, social and cultural evolution across a century. The centenary programme has been framed around the newspaper’s enduring contribution to journalism, national discourse and nation-building.

According to Okusaga, the awards are conceived not merely as a ceremony of recognition, but as a deliberate effort to preserve national memory and celebrate the individuals and institutions whose leadership, courage, enterprise, public service and innovation have contributed meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.

“The Daily Times has spent 100 years documenting the Nigerian story. Through the DTN@100 Heroes Awards, we are taking that responsibility a step further by documenting and celebrating the people and institutions that have helped to write that story through their service, leadership, enterprise and impact,” Okusaga said.

He added that the final list reflects the breadth and diversity of contributions that have shaped the Nigerian experience, spanning governance, politics, business, public administration, technology, energy, development, climate action, community leadership, diplomacy, social impact and enterprise.

“These are not simply awards for prominence. They are recognitions of impact. They speak to what individuals and institutions have contributed to the growth, resilience and transformation of Nigeria and, in several cases, to Africa and the wider global community,” he said.

A defining feature of the DTN@100 celebration will be the presentation of Prestige Honours to a distinguished group of Nigerians whose lives, careers and contributions occupy an important place in the nation’s history.

Also receiving Prestige Honours are Ambassador Dele Cole, former Managing Director of The Daily Times and Nigerian Ambassador; Aremo Segun Osoba, former Managing Director of The Daily Times and former Governor of Ogun State; Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, former Managing Director of The Daily Times and Director, Tanus Communications Limited; Chief Tola Adeniyi, former Chairman/Chief Executive of The Daily Times and author; Mr. Onyema Ugochukwu, former Editor of The Daily Times and pioneer Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission; Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, former Editor of The Daily Times and founder of The Vanguard Newspaper; and Chief Mrs. Grace Oyelude, the first Miss Nigeria, crowned in 1957.

Other eminent Nigerians are in the list.