By Emmanuel Edukugho

SINCE taking over mantle of leadership as the 10th Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Adetokunboh Babatunde Sofoluwe has ensured the sustenance of the institution as “a university of first choice” in all ramifications.

Explaining his vision which is to make the University of Laos an e-university, which is in agreement with the university’s mission: “To Provide a conducive teaching, learning, research and development environment, where staff and students will interact and compete effectively with other counterparts, both nationally and internationally in terms of intellectual competence and the zeal to add value to our world.”

Referring to the master plan of the university, he pledged support for the Director of Works and Physical Planning in the day-to-day running of the unit.

He stated: “Unused open space will be used in line with the university’s master plan including upgrading of facilities at the lagoon front, the first and second gates and as well as other tourist atytractions on our campuses.”

So far, the Sofoluwe administration has left nobody in doubt about its determination to pursue development projects with fresh vigour.

“Power supply and two other related services – water, sewage treatment have been upgraded on our three campuses; Akoka, Idi-Araba and Yaba. I have ensured prompt delivery and installation of three giant generating sets that will help to a considerable extent in stabilising power supply in Akoka and Idi-Araba,” he said.

Two units of 200KV Cummis Generator had been installed to ensure steady electricity supply to the university campus.

*A 2×200 KVA 11,000 voltage generator has been installed by Cummis West Africa at the Power House, Akoka Campus.

*A 2000 KVA generator at the College of Medicine has been installed.

*Provision of Generator House, High Tension power, Distribution Panel and Electrical works for College of Medicine.

The University has also installed ultra modern high tension panel (Incomer B) at the service area of the institution. The high tension panel is equipped with monitor designed to prevent power fluctuation and explosion which would ensure steady electricity distribution devoid of fluctuation.

In respect of road networks, the landscape at the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Department of Creative Arts and the environs has been transformed with the construction of road networks. The roads were properly laid and tarred which have added to the aesthetics of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Department of Creative Arts.

Not left out is the Department of Chemical Engineering which is now wearing a new look with the rehabilitation of old buildings and the construction of more classrooms for students.

Management of UNILAG has embarked on the construction of two blocks of classrooms at the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) consisting of three floors each financed from internally generated funds of the university.

Determined to prevent encroachment on the university land, the management embarked on the construction of a fence extending from the first gate to the second gate of the university. Funding of this project came from Federal Government Appropriation. The fence will also provide security between the first and second gates.

In order to reclaim university land from the lagoon and preventing or checking erosion, the university embarked on the construction of a concrete wall along the lagoon front to the high rise residential quarters.

The infrastructural transformation has been complemented with a beautification component that involved expansion, rehabilitation and resurfacing of major roads with asphalt.

The affected roads include:

*The main road from the main gate through the front of the Senate Building to the Faculty of Business Administration.

*The road from the guest house and conference centre through the new access road behind the Faculty of Arts to the Hydraulic Unit.

*The roundabout road in front of the Department of Mass Communication through staff school and Faculty of Science. This stretch of road terminates at the medical centre.

Sofoluwe assured that UNILAG master plan will be packaged to conform to the current trend in the world.

“The university will have a manual for the maintenance of her physical structures such as hostels, faculty buildings, staff quarters, and so on for use by the works and physical planning department and for all to view.”

The Vice Chancellor asserted that GIS technology will be deployed in managing the university’s master plan and each building will have its own available details.