By Peter Egwuatu

The University of Lagos (Unilag) received a significant boost to its academic infrastructure with the refurbishing of its research laboratory equipment by the management of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc. under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The Group Managing Director, Vitafoam Nigeria PLC, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, at the Unilag campus in Lagos said the company had  always thrived on making sure it gives back to the society through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

He noted that Vitafoam Nigeria, listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) had  the responsibility to the environment and giving back when the need arises.

“We found Unilag a worthy partner and then we found this particular laboratory that provides access to five departments of the faculty. By refurbishing   this lab, we are covering a larger percentage of students.

“When the learning environment is welcoming, students are willing to come, learn in a relaxed atmosphere as you see globally. If the environment is good, there is a chance students will turnout well. Those are the things that informed Vitafoam Nigeria to refurbish the University’s lab.”

On the laboratory equipment   supplied to the University, he stated that the company is no longer a mattress producing company, stressing that 80 per cent of the equipment     were sourced from the group.

“For instance, the work benches and stools are the handwork of Vono Furniture products Limited -We do wooden and metal furniture. So, the doors you have in this laboratory are produced by Vitapur Nigeria Limited- it is not just any door.  We deliberately put a sandwich panel door for comfort,” he said.

He stated that the management of Vitafoam Nigeria out of commitment to transforming the laboratory, opted for   a world -class learning environment for the students.

The Vice-Chancellor of Unilag,  Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, who was represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research) of the University, Prof. Bola Oboh-Oboh during the donation ceremony at the school premises, commended the management of Vitafoam Nigeria for consistently showing commitment to assist the University.

According to her, Vitafoam Nigeria has completed a world -class laboratory used by students in the new faculty of life sciences.

“The faculty comprises five departments- Botany, Self biology & genetics., Marine Science, Microbiology and Sociology. The students in those departments from year one to four and those in the faculty of education, especially Biology education, always use the laboratory.

“There is no cause under life sciences that does not have a laboratory attached to it. The management of Unilag is very grateful to the management of Vitafoam for the gesture. The company has always been there, improving our infrastructure, donating requirements and we cannot thank them enough.”

She, however, called on the students, and lab attendants to maintain the facilities donated by Vitafoam Nigeria.

Prof. Oboh-Oboh used the opportunity to call on other corporate bodies to key into the commitment of Vitafoam Nigeria in terms of supporting the  University for over 16 years.

According to her, the Federal Government cannot do it alone, stressing that nothing is too little to support the University community

“For now, the students of Unilag are highly competitive but we wanted them to be more globally  competitive and relevant in the 21st Century,” she said.

Speaking also, the Dean, Faculty of Physical and  Earth Sciences, Unilag, Prof. Olayinka Taiwo-Asekun, commended the management of Vitafoam for turning the lab to a world class facility.

She said, “As a faculty, we are very grateful because this particular lab 305 is serving five departments in our faculty. For a long time, nobody owned up to doing the maintenance and so it was in a very deteriotive state.

“So, because of that, when I became Dean, I did not like the way it was and I reached out to Vitafoam Nigeria and they graciously agreed to help us to come and turn it around.

“Vitafoam  Nigeria turned the laboratory to world-class like what you will see in the international Universities. When the environment is right, even the learning of the students is speeded up.”

On expectations, she noted that part of the things that make a student progresses   and be able to be outstanding was the environment, not just about the teaching.

“When a student is in a good environment, they tend to do better. So, we expected even better results from here and we expect research to come out from here. The new laboratory  will give better performance and services to the students and staff as relating practical classes,” Prof. Taiwo-Asekun added.