The Senate of Lagos State University on Thursday, 25th January 2024, honoured Dr. Aminat Olawunmi Ige-Ariyibi, an alumna of the University and lecturer at the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, who emerged the Overall Best Doctoral Thesis Award Winner at the 54th Convocation Ceremonies of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The 306th Statutory Senate meeting of the university commenced with a special session in Dr. Ige-Ariyibi’s honour when the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, invited her and her husband, Dr. Nasir Ariyibi, to sit at the desk of the Chairman of Senate alongside other members of management.
While introducing the brilliant academic to the Senate members, the Vice Chancellor said it’s a policy of the Senate to honour outstanding achievers in the university and that Dr. Ige-Ariyibi falls into that category.
“She is a pride of LASU and one of the best we have ever produced. She has projected this university positively to the whole world by winning not just the best PhD Thesis in the Faculty of Science of UNILAG but the best overall in the university. When the best of UNILAG is from us, we can truly be proud,” she noted.
The VC further expressed her happiness that in spite of efforts to poach her away from the university, the Akesan-born mathematician who also holds the title of Yeye Oge of Akesan land has committed her future to the university.
The VC, thereafter, presented her a cheque of One Million Naira (N1m) and a plaque on behalf of the Senate.
In her response, Dr. Aminat Ige expressed her palpable joy at the honour accorded her by the Senate of the University, noting that she had received massive support from all members of the university community as a whole.
“The goodwill and commendations have been nothing but massive. I am overwhelmed by the show of love, and I promise that I am not going anywhere; I will give my best to LASU.”
While commenting on the feat, DVC, Administration, Prof. Adenike Boyo, described her as a sociable, versatile, and hardworking lady who commits her best not just to the Lagos State University but also to the Akesan Kingdom where she impacts lives of children with a regular Mathematics competition. She urged her to continue to stay true to herself and give her best as she still has a lot to offer.
On his part, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Moses Akanbi averred that as a professor of Mathematics and teacher of Dr. Ige-Ariyibi, right from her undergraduate days, he can attest to her dedication to her studies. He said the Department of Mathematics and Faculty of Science is proud of her.
Finally, Director of DICT, Prof. Toyin Enikuomehin said Dr. Ige-Ariyibi’s drive for knowledge is admirable, and she deserves to be celebrated to encourage other students of the university.
Recall that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, had on Tuesday, received Dr. Ige-Ariyibi and her husband at her (the VC’s) office where the award winner presented her prizes to the VC.
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