The Centre for General Nigerian Studies (CGNS), in partnership with the Directorate of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), held a comprehensive training workshop for newly admitted students of Lagos State University (LASU) on Monday, 27th January 2024.
The event, hosted at the Buba Marwa Auditorium on LASU’s Ojo Campus, aimed to introduce students to the General Nigerian Studies (GNS) curriculum, streamline registration procedures, and outline guidelines for seamless test and exam participation.
Representing LASU’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, the Director of CGNS, Professor M.O.B. Mohammed, highlighted the importance of the workshop in preparing students for LASU’s cutting-edge, technology-driven academic framework. He announced that GNS lectures would employ a hybrid approach, comprising six weeks of physical classes and broadcast sessions via LASU Radio 95.7 FM for the remainder of the semester.
Professor Mohammed further elaborated on the university’s innovation, noting, “Weekly quizzes and assessments can now be seamlessly taken using mobile phones from anywhere with internet access.” This, he explained, was made possible through DICT’s strategic collaboration, ensuring that LASU remains at the forefront of academic technology.
In addition, Professor Mohammed unveiled the new GNS compendium, a resource reflecting the updated curriculum and designed to support the flipped classroom teaching methodology. He encouraged students to excel, revealing that top-performing students would be recognized as CGNS Ambassadors by the Vice-Chancellor at the end of the semester.
Professor Toyin Enikuomehin, Director of DICT, represented by Mr Henry Randle, reaffirmed LASU’s commitment to a technology-driven academic environment. He encouraged students to adopt a “Do It Yourself” (DIY) approach for online enrolment, emphasizing the importance of reducing reliance on cybercafés, which often result in technical issues requiring ICT centre intervention.
The workshop, structured into morning and afternoon sessions, accommodated students from various faculties on the main campus. Esteemed facilitators included Dr Idowu Sylvester, Mr Ademola Adekoya, and Dr Taofeek Shittu from CGNS, alongside Mr Bolaji Ojediran, Mr Famuyile Johnson, and Mr Todowede from DICT.
Prominent attendees included Professor Gbenga Akindoju, Dean of the Faculty of Education, and Professor Sunday Alawode, Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, represented by the Sub-Dean, Dr Stephen Fatonji. Both provided guidance and motivational remarks, encouraging students to embrace the resources and opportunities offered by the university.
In his vote of thanks, the Deputy Registrar of CGNS, Mr Ademola Adekoya, emphasized the value of the newly subsidized GNS compendium, describing it as a consolidated, user-friendly resource endorsed by the National Universities Commission (NUC). He assured students of his office’s availability to address their inquiries and urged them to maximize the tools provided for their academic success.
The session concluded with an engaging question-and-answer segment, during which students’ concerns were addressed in detail. The event saw an impressive turnout and enthusiasm among the students.
Additional workshops have been scheduled for students enrolled in sandwich degree, part-time, and HND conversion programmes. These will take place on Saturday, 1st February 2025, at LASU’s main campus, and on Friday, 7th February 2025, at the Epe campus.
