The Vice Chancellor of the first privately owned University in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo state, Professor Kabiru Aderemi Adeyemo has called on government at both state and federal levels to endeavor to create an enabling environment for research work saying that researchers are solution providers to any society.
He explained that Lead City University has been playing key role in contributing to national development through delivery of qualitative university education, research and community service.
Prof. Adeyemo who made this disclosure at the monthly breakfast meeting of South West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) held in Ibadan on Thursday, said all developed nations place high premium on quality education and research.
When asked what Nigerian researchers are doing to proffer lasting solutions to several challenges facing the country, the University Don who is very respected and detribalized noted that Nigerian researchers have what it takes intellectually and academically to proffer solutions to the myriad of challenges bedevilling Nigeria noting that the work of research in the country has suffered the challenge of lack of adequate investment from government on research.
Professor Adeyemo added that Lead City University has continued to contribute to national development through qualitative teachings, research, and community service stressing that crime rate in the country would have skyrocketed out of control were it not for the presence of privately owned universities because of the incessant interruption of academic activities in government owned universities.
The VC, who highlighted many achievements of the Ibadan based university noted that it was as a result of the institution’s commitment to sound university education that has created what he described as ‘a robust relationship with the Nigerian universities regulatory body, the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC).
“I can inform you that we have some courses that we got accreditation for but some other universities couldn’t get accreditation for them because of funding issues. They will tell you they are not adequately funded, they do not have this and that.
“What I believe in essence is that professors are ready to do more but in an enabling environment. Work in a conducive environment whereby, everything that will assist them in their research work, in their teachings, and in their community relations are given to them and also sustained.
“But a situation whereby, a professor wants to work and perform an experiment in the lab and there is no light, there are no chemicals to use, how do you expect such a person to perform? I’m just campaigning that the stakeholders running the universities should make sure that they give adequate attention to necessary facilities and funding.” Professor Adeyemo said.
The University Don who commended SWEGOP for upholding the tenets of the media profession said the relationship between Lead City University and the community is a symbiotic one that has continued to grow saying that the university has continued to provide access to quality university education to the less privileged in form of scholarships, also called for a proposal from SWEGOP to the university in order to explore ways of mutual benefits aimed at deepening the existing relationship between the university and the group.
Professor Adeyemo said: “On the issue of relationship, the university is not an island, we want to share ideas with professionals like you so let’s have a proposal ahead and we will ensure that the relationship is deepened so that we will have a common focus.”
The Vice Chancellor explained that Lead City University was the first university in the state to commence online lectures during the period of COVID-19 lockdown in the country as part of its commitment to ensure uninterrupted academic activities capable of disrupting the university’s calendar for 2019/2020 academic session.
Adeyemo who hinted that the university said the University has made steady progress since inception in 2005 leading to approval for some courses at both undergraduate and post graduate levels said the institution is looking ahead towards the coming years with great optimism to amass global presence.
He maintained that Lead City University aims to become one of the topmost modern universities in the country which was why according to him the institution had continued to improve on its academic infrastructures and facilities in order for graduates from the school to be able to compete favorably with their counterparts from other parts of the world.
Prof. Adeyemo, who disclosed that the University has employed two expatriates one from United Kingdom and the other from Australia as Lecturers added that the school has created it’s own salary scales for both teaching and non-teaching staff “which is far higher than the salary scales in use in most Nigerian Public Universities,” included:
1. The first set of our Nursing students had their final council examination in May 2021, a total of 27 students got to the final year, and 100% success was recorded by the Department of Nursing in the Nursing and Midwifery Council final qualifying examination and two students passed practical at credit level. They are awaiting the Midwifery final examination coming up in the second week in March 2022.
2. An Induction ceremony was conducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for our B.NSc. Nursing students.
3. The Department of Performing Art and Film Studies conducted its 2021 Induction Ceremony for their students, on Thursday 6″ May 2021.
4. A team from the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, the visit was part of activities lined-up for the accreditation B.Sc. Radiography programme.
5. A team from the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria visited the University for the accreditation of our B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Science programme and was successful.
6. A graduate of LCU, Mr Adewuyi Popoola a first-class alumnus in the Department of Management and Accounting was appointed as the Bursar of the University of Ibadan.
7. In addition, a first, l” class graduate from the Department of Physics also won a grant to study M.Sc. Biophysics in the United States of America and was also given a teaching assistantship position.
8. An Induction Ceremony was conducted by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) for 109 students in the Faculty of Arts and Education.
9. The Department of Politics and International Relations is also working on a book titled: Politics and International Relations: A book of Readings. This is already in the press and will be out soon.
10. The hospital has had nine successful surgeries of which two were extensive multi-disciplinary abdominal surgery with specialized anaesthesia.
11. Expansion of vaccination coverage including hepatitis B, cervical cancer vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine. About 400 people have been vaccinated.
12. There is also expanded and improved hospital laboratory care with state of the art equipments.
13. Lead City University, Ibadan in collaboration with Space Tourism Society, Africa led some staff and students to the just concluded International Astronautical Congress in Dubia, United Arab Emirates.
14. National Institute of Office Administrators and Information Managers was founded in the Department of Information Resources Management. The activities of the Institute have been going on effectively.
15. Project Completed Camp David 1-4 (Halls of Residence); Staff Quarters; Expatriate Staff Quarters; Faculty of Pharmacy Building; Road Project Phase 1, and Drilling of additional boreholes to make life more comfortable staff and students on campus.
16. On-going Projects – We have the following projects under construction: 90% Completion of College of Medicine Building; 90% Completion of Exodus Hostel; 90% Completion of Hibiscus Hostel; 90% Completion of University Dinning Café; 50% Completion of Faculty of Environmental Design Management Building.
