Funmi Ogundare
Yaba College of Technology will on November 23, 2023 in Lagos, confer fellowship awards on the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, wife of the former Lagos State Governor and matriarch of the Otedola family, Lady Doja Otedola and a former General Secretary of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), Comrade Hassan Adebayo Sunmonu, for their immense contributions to education and national development.
The conferment will be at the convocation of a total of 7,717 students for the 2021/2022 academic session on at Philip Adegbile Sports Complex.
A statistic of the graduating students showed that out of the 7,717, 254 had distinction, 1,893 finished in the upper credit division, 3,940 graduated with lower credit and 1,630 in the pass grade.
The Rector, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul who briefed journalists, yesterday, on the college’s 35th convocation ceremonies for the award of diplomas, certificates and prizes, explained that there will be an interdenominational church service on November 19, at Yusuf Grillo Auditorium.
The convocation lecture titled,’Empowering Nigerian Youths in the Present Day Economy’, will be delivered by the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Olufemi Gbajabiamila on November 21, at Yusuf Grillo Auditorium.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is expected to chair the occasion.
There will also be a ‘Fellows’ Night’ on November 22, at Ijakadi Hall, Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja. It will be chaired by Hon. Justice Isola Olorunnimbe, a retired Judge of the Lagos State High Court. The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman is the distinguished Guest of Honour.
The Rector explained that the conferment of the fellowship awards on the revered Nigerians centered on their respective accomplishments within and outside Nigeria.
He described Lady Christine Doja Otedola Lady Christine Doja Otedola as an accomplished public servant and philanthropist who has played and is still playing significant roles in the sustenance and acceptance of Yaba College of Technology by the people of Epe and Odoragushin town in particular.
“With her support and her late husband
and former Governor of Lagos State, Michael Otedola, donated the land where the college is situated in Odoragushin town of Epe. The family offered the land free because of their love for education and the development of the youths. She remains a worthy role model to all Nigerians.”
Abdul also described the Borno State governor as a seasoned and accomplished administrator, whose experience spanned local government administration as a staff, a polytechnic rector and a university lecturer who has contributed to the development of young men and women in the country before venturing into politics.
According to him, “his astuteness and accomplishment in administration and management of people and resources won him the governorship position since 2019. His sound intellect and leadership pedigree are pillars and reflections of his noble achievements. Through his leadership, he has become a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration to Nigerian youths.”
He also described Comrade Hassan Adebayo Sunmonu as one who is a worthy alumnus of the college who once led the students’ union.
“Comrade Hassan Adebayo Sunmonu’s dedication to labour activism and advocacy for workers’ rights have left a lasting impact on Nigeria’s civil servants and private workers. His legacies serve as an inspiration for current and future generations of trade unionists and politicians, reinforcing the importance of standing up for justice and fairness in the society,” he stated.
