Why UNILAG VC’s feats became a book – Authors

The five authors who wrote the biography of the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Rahmon Bello have explained that the exemplary leadership and innovativeness displayed by the Vice Chancellor formed the basis for writing a book in his honour. The leader of the team who spoke on behalf of the […]

The five authors who wrote the biography of the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Rahmon Bello have explained that the exemplary leadership and innovativeness displayed by the Vice Chancellor formed the basis for writing a book in his honour.

The leader of the team who spoke on behalf of the other authors, Prof. Lucian Chukwu said the book, ‘Walking the Vision’ is a historical documentary of what Prof. Bello was and achieved as the 11th Vice Chancellor of UNILAG.

According to Prof. Chuckwu who was a former Dean, UNILAG School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Bello’s achievements cut across many areas of administrative and academic well-being of the 55-year old institution.

 “Prof. Bello indeed brought back the Graduate Teaching Assistant Programme. He also consolidated the Quality Assurance Unit to make it a worthwhile arm for the University. He brought on board what is known as Research and Innovation Office. That office is charged with administering researches and getting research grants for the University of Lagos (UNILAG) with focus on placing the Universityon the appropriate pedestal and to ensure that our researches are properly documented and strategically communicated in a way that such can be made available to small and medium scale enterprises operators in Nigeria, so that they can make use of their outputs.

“Aside academic researches, students now go online to do their registrations, print examination dockets, transcripts, among others. Everything is now fully digitalised. These were things carefully planned and executed by the Bello administration and he also improved on what was met on ground. In administration we now have in place e-administration, passing from council meeting to management meetings, as well as very serious committee meetings of the university. That means we are making very serious savings on papers.

“Also, the Vice Chancellor was the one who introduced the third Deputy Vice Chancellorship position. These are innovations he has brought in to lighten the burden on the Vice Chancellor and to make administration a lot seamless. He moved on from there to provide support services for the students. The students Union was brought back and under him, students are being trained abroad. The Shodehinde hall of residence has now been fully renovated and will be given out. Look at the Elkanemi hall that is coming up, when it is completed; it will be giving out 3,000 bed spaces. The good thing is that the new El-Kanemi hall rooms are not going to be the usual rooms. They are suites. This is why we have to celebrate him,” Prof. Chukwu said.

Aside Prof. Chukwu, other authors of the book are the university’s Registrar, Dr. Taiwo Ipaye; the Head of Mass Communication Department, Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, a historian, Prof. Prof. Chidi Maduagwu and an Associate Professor of English Literature, Obi Iwuagwu.

The book was reviewed by Emeritus Prof. Nimi Dimkpa Briggs, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council, Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State.