30th January, 2018
The Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, on Tuesday told the newly inaugurated Students Union leaders in the institution to draw a line between radicalism and rascality.
He gave the advice during a one- day workshop with the theme `Information Management and Public Relations`, organised for the 28th Lagos State Students Union (LASUSU) functionaries.
It was organised by the LASU Centre For Information Press and Public Relations (CIPPR) Unit.
Fagbohun, represented by Dr Femi Obayori, Dean, Students Affairs, said the actions of the union leaders would have an effect on how the university is viewed by others in the society.
“What you say or publish about the institution will mar or build its reputation, and you must draw a line between radicalism and rascality, ” he said.
The Vice Chancellor urged the students to avoid hate speeches and focus on positive image building.
He said the training was meant to train the functionaries on how not to exaggerate information in such a way that it negatively affects the system.
Fagbohun hailed the CIPPR for organising the training, saying it would be beneficial to the students all through their lives.
In his contribution, a former LASUSU President, Mr Sulaimon Arigbabuwo, urged the student unionists not to allow themselves to be hijacked and used to disrupt the polity.
He said union leaders who allow themselves to be so used would eventually lose their integrity and relevance.
Arigbabuwo said with the present scarcity of resources in the country, there was likely to be rancour between management and unions, but the latter must rise above conflicts and contribute to the LASU legacy.
“Do not be a career activist whose aim is to plot how to create chaos while others are busy with academics, just to gain government or management’s attention,” he said.
Arigbabuwo said union leaders must work toward a better academic and safer environment which would create for them a profile that sells them as a brand to the world.
Mr Nurudeen Adegbenro, a media practitioner with MITV, charged the union leaders not to misuse the spirit of `Aluta` but embrace dialogue with the management to create promotional opportunity and avoid controversy.
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Adegbenro told the students’ leaders to ensure the kind of information disseminated to the public, especially on social media, are positive, so as to build a good image for the university.
“If you manage the image of LASU, you and LASU will succeed, but if you don’t, you will suffer because you are the one to carry LASU certificate all the rest of life .
” The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, will leave at the end of his tenure, but you cannot change your certificate.
” Eat, drink, sleep, dream LASU; it is your stream; a flowing river where you drink. Do not pollute it so that when you leave, posterity will be happy,” he said.
Also, Mrs Olajumoke Boyejo , Deputy Registrar, LASU said the student union leaders must manage the information and reputation of the institution, as this is germane to its growth .
She charged them to sensitise the student populace to use the social media and other information disseminating platforms positively to promote the LASU brand and sustain peace on campus.
“Sensitise your fellow students not to engage in physical fight; consumption of alcohol is prohibited on campus.
“Adhere to the code of conduct on the students handbook, as ignorance of the law is not an excuse, so, the students’ leaders must not disrupt or challenge disciplinary action,” she said.
Responding, Samuel Olalere , LASUSU President, assured the management that the students union had keyed into its transformation agenda and would ensure the new LASU brand travels worldwide.
Olalere said the present LASUSU was not involved in hooliganism, rascality or militancy but reasonable, because it does not want crisis anymore.