In a heartwarming ceremony that resonated with gratitude and nostalgia, the Lagos State University (LASU) held its first-ever send-forth ceremony on Monday, 27th November 2023, at the Aderemi Makanjuola Lecture Theatre on the main campus in Ojo, Lagos.
The event, organized by the Pension Board of Trustees, aimed to pay homage to retiring staff members whose unwavering dedication had shaped the institution over the past four decades.
The Vice-Chancellor, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, took center stage to express profound appreciation, acknowledging the sacrifices made by these men and women who were integral to the university’s evolution.
Some of the retirees were part of the pioneering staff, contributing their best efforts, enduring sleepless nights, and working tirelessly to mold LASU into the prestigious institution it is today.
In her address, Olatunji-Bello urged the retiring staff to view retirement not as an end but as the commencement of a new and fulfilling chapter in their lives.
She bestowed well wishes upon them, encapsulating the sentiment of the entire university community.
The Chairman of the LASU Pension Board of Trustees and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Adenike Boyo, underscored the significance of the occasion, emphasizing the board’s commitment to ensuring that retirees depart with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Boyo commended the retirees for their inspirational dedication, assuring them that their legacy would endure within the institution for generations.
The Registrar, Emmanuel A. Fanu, concluded the vibrant event with a vote of thanks, extending gratitude to all contributors for making the ceremony a resounding success.
Notable highlights included the presentation of appreciation plaques and gifts to the retirees by the vice-chancellor and the PBOT.
The ceremony also featured a trip down memory lane as Ishaq Lakin Akintola and Mabel Oyeniji shared nostalgic anecdotes from their time at LASU.
Representatives from the Staff Unions, namely SSANU, NASU, NAAT, delivered goodwill messages, reinforcing the sense of camaraderie that defines the LASU community.
A total of thirty-five staff members, including six teaching and twenty-nine non-teaching staff across the Ojo, Ikeja, and LASUCOM campuses, were honored during the event.
The University Management team, represented by the Bursar, Said Babatunde Olayinka, and the university librarian, Omawumi Makinde, added to the dignified presence.
The celebration reached its peak with the lively tunes of the Diet Band, transforming the occasion into a joyous festivity where attendees, retirees, and guests alike danced to the rhythm.
Sumptuous meals capped off the event, providing a fitting conclusion to this historic celebration of LASU’s retiring heroes.
Among the distinguished guests were the Dean of the Faculty of Mass Communication & Media Studies, Sunday Alawode, Director of Research Management & Innovation, Adeneye Adejuwon, and other key figures from the university’s leadership and administration.
The event marked a significant milestone, setting a precedent for future send-forth ceremonies as LASU continues to honor and celebrate its dedicated staff.
