By Laja Thomas

The Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Shofoluwe, has challenged the Nigerian Society of Engineers,NSE, to initiate ideas that will reduce the accommodation problems being faced by the staff of the university. The Vice Chancellor stated this when the NSE, Lagos branch executive visited him to thank him for giving the Society a piece of land to build its secretariat.

Professor Shofoluwe, who said UNILAG will be celebrating her 50th year anniversary in 2012, solicited the collaboration of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in the areas of building residential houses for staff within the campus and guest houses for visiting professors.

According to him, “one of the challenges on campus is accommodation for members of staff and visiting professors. We all know what Lagos is in terms of accommodation. I expect your Society, being a reputable professional body in the building industry, to come up with proposal on building project. The university is ready to partner with your association on this project so that our staff and guests can have decent houses to live on campus. Even your society will make more money through this scheme,”.

The Chairman of Lagos branch of the Society, Engr. Olatunde Jaiyesimi, said the society was set up to advance the practice of engineering in the country. “We see part of our objectives being fulfilled here. As a professional body, we want to continue to partner with UNILAG, because most of our members in Lagos practice in this university. We are also using this medium to appeal to the Vice Chancellor for jobs for our members,” he said.