By Mark Mayah
Lagos State University’s Centre for Peace and Security Studies has formally commenced its postgraduate programmes in Peace and Security Studies with an orientation programme on Saturday, 8th January 2025. The event, which was held at the Aderemi Makanjuola Lecture Theatre, welcomed the first cohort of students admitted into five distinct programmes: Academic Ph.D., Professional Doctorate, Academic Masters, Professional Masters, and Postgraduate Diploma.
In her address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Oseni Taiwo Afisi, congratulated the students for being pioneers of the discipline, which he described as a transformative journey. He said, “This orientation marks the beginning of a transformative journey into academic excellence, critical thinking and cutting-edge research that LASU is known for.”
He also described the Centre for Peace and Security Studies as a research hub “where solutions will be proffered to issues such as banditry, cattle-rustling, terrorism and other forms of insecurity” while urging them to “find ways to ensure that those problems become mitigated so that you can be identified as proud products of this great university.” The Vice-Chancellor further assured the students that the centre has a combination of experts who would bring out the best in them while assuring the faculty of the tireless support of the university management towards the success of the programmes.
Director of the Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Prof. Adewunmi Falode, in his welcome address, highlighted the strategic position of the Centre under his leadership: “This is the only multidisciplinary centre that we have in LASU; every faculty is represented on our programmes, thus it is a Centre that will equip you to thrive in a diverse world like ours. In Nigeria and all over he world, we are dealing with peace and security issues; you will be exposed to practical experiences that would help you proffer solutions to these problems.”
Additionally, the professor of International Relations and Strategic Studies praised the vice-chancellor for the actualisation of the vision of the Centre. He said, “Today wouldn’t have been possible without the vice-chancellor. This Centre is her initiative and was birthed around August last year. Since then, she has given us all the required support, and you (students) are lucky to be pioneers of this first-of-its-kind centre in LASU.”
Prof. Ibrahim Olateju,
Dean of the Postgraduate School was also at the programme to assure the students of the smartness of their choice. “You have made the right choice by choosing LASU. This is a university where a two-year course is two years and a four-year course is four years. I can assure you that you will graduate on time.” He revealed that the LASU’s technology-driven academic environment empowers the students to choose their mode of lectures and examinations, which could be physical or virtual.
Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Olugbenga Akindoju, in his brief address, exposed the students to the grading system in the university, urging them to give their best to finish in flying colours.
Other notable speakers were Dr Lateef Salami, who represented the Registrar, Mr Emmanuel Fanu; Mr David Ogunde, who represented the Bursar, Mr Said Babatunde Olayinka; Dr Ogungbeni, who represented the University Librarian, Dr Omawunmi Makinde and Dr Mustapha, who represented the Director, DICT, Prof. Toyin Enikuomehin.
The programme was also attended by former and current deans of faculties, heads of departments and professors, as well as other senior academic and non-academic staff in the university.
