LASU and Canadian govt partnership

SIR: At the recent Public Lecture organized by the Faculty of Social Sciences, Lagos State University, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun remarked: “In the traditional sense, a university seems to detach itself from the community due to linkages to the international and national academic communities. The University is also characterized by a high level of institutional autonomy through a broadly regulated and assessed system of higher education including nationally oriented labour market and research agenda.

Although, the University is universal in outlook compared with its host community as a turf for learning, it has also played critical roles in communities’ capacity building initiatives and more importantly in the development of cultural values and norms. This is further enhanced through varying development partnership networks with the communities. Our idea of community is one with multiple actors and interests. It is in this context that we cherish the kind of partnership we are fostering with the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria.

The Lagos State University was established about 33 years ago, precisely in 1983 through the enabling law of Lagos State, Nigeria. It operates a multi-campus system with Ojo as the main campus. The University’s motto is “For Truth and Service”. As a way of establishing a long run relationship between the University and Canadian High Commission, the public lecture titled “Fundamentals of Democracy in Canada” demonstrates commitment to integrate with the external world in general and the region it serves in particular. Indeed, this type of initiative would go a long way to further deepen the relationship of the University and its environment through fundamentals of academic excellence and selfless service as demonstrated in the University’s motto.

It is important to note that there has been a strong and growing bilateral relation between Nigeria and Canada since 1962. His Excellency, John Perry Calderwood’s lecture is proof of it. Let me also acknowledge the role played by Canada in the enthronement of liberal democracy in Nigeria. Canada High Commission stood side by side with prodemocracy forces in those turbulent days of prodemocracy struggle. Nigeria remains Canada’s strategic partner and occupies a third position of the latter’s bilateral merchandise trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. Today’s event further encourages shared values of multiculturalism and institutions such as federalism and Commonwealth membership including people-to-people interaction for solid foundation to enhance further commitment.

*Prof. Olarewanju Fagboun,
LASU.