“I Am Waiting To Serve Nigeria”- Fmr Gov Fayemi; Bags Honorary Doctorate Degree At LASU

By Ayodele Oni

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said that he is still willing to serve Nigeria in any capacity.

Fayemi spoke in Lagos, after the conferment of Honorary Doctorate degrees on him by the Lagos State University, (LASU) on Thursday.

In his acceptance speech, Fayemi made it clear that “although my work as Governor of Ekiti State is done, nation building is a journey and not a destination.

“One can only pledge that one will continue to be an active partisan in the ranks of that battalion of Nigerians determined to ensure that we see the country of our dreams in our life time. Let us hold the dream that Nigeria will rise again.

The remark may have confirmed rumours that the former governor is among those lobbying President Bola Tinubu for appointment in the present administration.

He applauded founding fathers of states in south west Nigeria for their vision to establish state owned universities, even at that period of time.

“I was already a second year student at the University of Lagos in Akoka when this university commenced activities in 1983.

“As students in an already established national university, we were generally skeptical about the quality of education to come from a so called burnt brick university – even though at the time, many of our own lecturers were also pioneer teachers at LASU right from the first Vice Chancellor of the University.

“Many of my own contemporaries in academia also became lecturers here – including two of my bosom friends, late Drs Kunle Lawal and Abubakar Momoh, May Almighty God continue to grant them eternal rest.

“Forty years after – the skeptics have been proved wrong. For this, one must commend the vision and foresight of the political leaders at the time exemplified by the incomparable LKJ, late  Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.

“His colleagues in the LOOBO states also  established similar universities in Ogun, Ondo and Bendel thus pioneering the establishment of State universities similar to the founding of regional universities in Ife, Nsukka and Zaria by the regional governments in the 1960s.

“One must also commend the diligence and passion put into the growth and development of the University by successive Governors. A cursory glance at the latest University Webometric Survey indicates that in terms of quality and standard, Lagos State University ranks amongst the most sought after in the country. We must commend the University leadership for building on the success over the years.”

On the award, Fayemi commended the university for considering him worthy saying “This Honorary Doctorate degree has been awarded for services rendered in defence of human rights, national integration and security in Africa.

“For me, I wholeheartedly accept the honour. Blessed is the political figure who, at the end of a period of service, is able to wake up and find  himself buffeted with such goodwill as LASU has generously showered on me and fellow honorees. I want to pledge before this august gathering that we shall be worthy ambassadors of this great university.”