TUNJI BELLO REVEALS REASON BEHIND LASU AUDITORIUM PROJECT
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BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA
The Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Hon. Olatunji Bello, expressed his decision to construct an auditorium for Lagos State University (LASU) as a means of investing in the domain of knowledge, rather than indulging excessively in a birthday celebration upon reaching 60 in 2021.
Bello, a former member of the Lagos State Executive Council, emphasized that this initiative aligns with his conviction that the public good is more effectively served by assisting public universities in addressing infrastructural deficiencies. He articulated these views in Epe on Wednesday during the inauguration of the auditorium that he contributed to the Epe Campus of LASU.
“Without intending to appear self-righteous or pious, I would like to seize this opportunity to highlight the significant choice between fleeting pleasures and enduring legacy. Therefore, by opting to allocate resources to invest in the vineyard of knowledge, I believe we are effectively preserving my 60th birthday celebration in a manner that will benefit and be appreciated by generations to come.
“Moreover, this serves as my modest contribution to reinforcing the notion that public welfare is better advanced by supporting public universities in bridging the infrastructural gap.
“Undoubtedly, the government alone cannot achieve this. Private individuals with the capacity should contribute to public tertiary education to create more opportunities, as is common in several developed nations,” he remarked.
The FCCPC leader informed the audience that he had to liquidate a property he owned in Magodo, Lagos, a few years prior due to a significant rise in material costs.
On his 50th birthday in 2011, the donor previously established annual awards in five disciplines: Law, Mass Communications, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at the same institution.
“As my 60th birthday approached in 2021, I pondered how I could contribute even more. The idea of hosting a grand celebration for the milestone was completely dismissed. My beloved wife, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the distinguished Vice Chancellor of this esteemed university, initially suggested building something for LASU to commemorate my 60th birthday, at a time when she was not yet Vice Chancellor. I didn’t give her proposal much consideration immediately, but a few days later, I reflected on it,” he continued.
Praising his initiatives, Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, and former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba, lauded the gesture as commendable and worthy of replication.
Sanwo-Olu remarked, “I attended his 60th birthday celebration when he made this commitment, and I am grateful it has come to fruition. Despite the challenges faced during that period, you made this happen. May God replenish your resources. We prioritize education in our administration, and we are grateful for the support of people like Hon. Tunji Bello in our endeavors. ”
LASU has the capacity for additional contributions and endowments like this one. While we will persist in our efforts to support LASU in achieving excellence, we are urging others to enhance these endeavors.
The Education Minister, who also praised the benefactor, expressed admiration for the Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, for her significant advancements within the institution.
Aremo Osoba noted that some individuals might have allocated such resources to social celebrations and gatherings.
Alausa pledged to assist in improving the inadequate power supply at the Ojo and Epe campuses of the university, assuring that an additional 11 megawatts and five megawatts would be supplied to these campuses.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, stated that her husband’s foremost dedication has been towards education, as he believes it can transform destinies and assist individuals in overcoming poverty.
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