“A Leader Trains Another Who Would Take Over from Him/Her“– Mrs. Adebowale Ukaiwe, former Director, Academic Affairs Directorate, UNILAG

Well-respected administrator and retired Director, Academic Affairs Directorate, University of Lagos, Mrs. Adebowale Ukaiwe has tasked freshly appointed directors in the Bursary and Registry with training replacements for themselves when they leave the system.

Proper mentorship, making impact, laying lasting legacies, among others formed the crux of her address at a reception organised in honour of newly appointed Directors in the Bursary and Registry at the University of Lagos.

Organised by the duo of former Registrar and Bursar, Dr. Taiwo Ipaye and Dr. Lateef Odekunle, the reception was held on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Resource Centre, UNILAG.

The reception, came on the wings of the receipt of the final approval for the appointments, promotions, confirmation of appointments, upgrading and conversion of several teaching and non-teaching members of staff of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) from the Federal Ministry of Education at the end of 2023.

Dr. Ipaye and Dr. Odekunle had, over the years, made several recommendations to the University Management on the need to sustain the directorate system in the Bursary and Registry as well as elevate competent senior members of staff, who had been stagnated at the Deputy Registrar level for a long time to the post of directors.  Their concerted efforts were finally rewarded with the appointment of seven directors at the end of 2023.

The duo, in separate remarks, stressed that the new directors should ensure the preservation of the system. They, at separate points in their addresses, advised the new directors to make themselves relevant; be of good repute; and actively mentor other staff. They also urged the directors to support one another and rally around the Acting Registrar and Bursar.

The immediate past Bursar, Dr. Lekan Lawal, who was also present at the reception, urged the new directors to be unselfish with knowledge acquired and reiterated the importance of proper mentorship. He advised bursary staff to identify other areas of funding for the University of Lagos and seek ways to block areas of wastage.

The present Bursar, Mrs. Olufunmilola Adekunle appreciated the conveners and urged the directors to act as registrars and bursars which they are “in their own right”. She also urged them be unafraid to challenge the status quo and bring about change to the system.

In response, the Acting Registrar, Mrs. Olakunle Makinde, who was among those promoted to the post of Director, appreciated Mrs. Ukaiwe and Dr. Ipaye for their continued mentorship. She wished other directors well, reminding them that it was a call to offer more service as well as display of loyalty and integrity. She encouraged them to key into the vision of the Vice-Chancellor of professionalising the Registry, and computerisation of system, by making suggestions to improve service delivery.

Similarly, the College Secretary, CMUL, Dr. Obafemi-Moses urged the new directors to manage and maintain their emotions, as well as watch what they say and do. He also thanked the conveners of the event and Director of Finance at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Dr. Akinade congratulated the new directors and charged them to be of good character.

In response, the new Directors: Mrs. Josephine Asiwaju, Mr. Michael Uwakwe, Mrs. Yetunde Ogunlewe, Mr. Anthony Aluko and Mr. Robert Ezimoha, expressed gratitude to the conveners for the behind-the-scenes work which went into ensuring that the directorate system did not die at the University of Lagos.

 

Source: UNILAG