Kunle Adelabu
Former Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Registrar, Princess Adetope Kosoko has described the signing of law which turned LAPSOTECH and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (ACOED) and Michael Otedola College of Education into Universities as a welcome development, stating that the development would address admission problems in the state.
Princess Kosoko, who was one of those that initiated the idea during the administration of former Rector of LASPOTECH, Engr. Olawunmi Gasper, while commending Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu on the feat, also charged the National University Commission (NUC) to ensure that necessary process for the transformation is given speedy attention.
She made her view known in a statement titled, “RE: SANWO OLU SIGNS BILLS ESTABLISHING TWO NEW UNIVERSITIES IN LAGOS STATE”, while responding on the development to THE IMPACT on Thursday, February 3, 2022.
“May I begin by congratulating HE Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for this laudable and excellent achievement”, she said.
“Indeed, 2nd February 2022, when the bills for the establishment of two new Universities were assented to, will remain a date that the Tertiary Education sector in Lagos State will never forget.
“I also wish to congratulate the good people of Lagos State, who are the immediate beneficiaries of this on – going academic height.
“There is no doubt that this laudable development will solve so many admission issues for indigenes of Lagos State, in particular, as well as as Nigerians, in general. This would go a long way in meeting the needs of the so many numbers of qualified candidates, roaming the streets of Lagos, in view of the non availability of space in the State owned Lagos State University, they would now be accommodated by the two new Universities appropriately”, she said.
While charging NUC on the need to ensure that the process for the complete transformations of the Polytechnic and Colleges of Education are given quick attention, she also enjoined the state government to be prepared to fund the Universities adequately for them to achieve reasons for there establishments.
“However, I want to pray that the National Universities Commission (NUC) would hasten all due processes, so that in the not too distant future, this great dream would become a reality”, she said.
“I would also like to request for the fullest cooperation of the State Government, as the initial financial obligations would no doubt be enormous”, she added.
While explaining her involvement in the transformation of the institution, Princess Kosoko also expressed her joy in seeing that the initiative that she was part of is becoming a reality in her lifetime.
“It is pertinent to note that, as a former insider (former Registrar of Lagos State Polytechnic) and a major stakeholder, the initiative for this great move, started some years ago. My humble self was one of the main protagonists of today’s achievement. This dream started under the Rectorship of Engr Olawumi Gasper, mni, fnse, and the then Chairman of the Governing Council and Renowned Educationist, Professor Olabode Abisogun-Leigh”, she said.
“It, therefore, gives me great joy to see that this dream is becoming a reality in our own time”.
