It is indeed a great day for those of us who are privileged to be called products of this great institution — Lagos State University, LASU.
Great LASUITES—Great!
I warmly congratulate all the graduands and awardees of this great citadel of learning and research. Today marks the culmination of years of hard work, discipline and sacrifice and I am particularly honoured to share this memorable occasion with you.
I am deeply humbled by the recognition bestowed upon me today. I sincerely appreciate the Governing Council, Senate, Management and the entire Lagos State University community for finding me worthy of this distinguished honour. To be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate by an institution of such repute is a privilege I do not take for granted. I receive this honour with profound gratitude and with an even greater sense of responsibility to continue to contribute, in whatever measure I can, to the growth of our society and our dear country.
Let me, however, use these few moments to speak about something very simple, yet very important: Let us do things right.
In our dear country, many things—some simple, others not so simple—are often not done as they ought to be. Some of the things I will mention may not yet concern many of you, but I am certain that, as you progress in life, they will become part of your own “portion”.
First, let us be mindful of the proper use of titles. Today, we have among us graduates who have earned the Ph.D. degree through a prescribed course of academic study and research and are, by right, entitled to place the prefix “Dr.” before their names, just as medical doctors do. It is important that we respect the distinction between titles conferred upon the successful completion of an academic programme and honorary titles or degrees conferred in recognition of distinguished achievement or contribution. The latter are no less deserving of respect; they are simply earned in a different way — not through a prescribed course of study, but through a record of accomplishment, service or contribution worthy of recognition.
The same principle applies to National Honours. For those who have been privileged to receive honours conferred by the President of the Federal Republic, it is not enough merely to receive the honour. We should know what the law and established practice require of us. This includes understanding how the associated titles are properly used. Where a person has received more than one National Honour, the higher-ranking honour is appropriately used, while the lower-ranking one is dropped. These may appear to be small matters, but respect for the law and proper observance of established conventions are reflections of our character.
Then there is what we have come to call “African Time.” Dear graduands, I urge you to jettison that expression and, more importantly, the attitude it represents.
There is no such thing as “African Time”. When an event is scheduled for a particular time, we should make every effort to be there at that time—or, better still, a little earlier. To me, time is money and timeliness is godliness.
Being habitually late is not merely inconvenient. It can be stressful, diminish one’s reputation and, more fundamentally, convey a lack of consideration for other people. Conversely, punctuality is often regarded as a mark of responsibility, discipline, integrity and trustworthiness.
Dear graduands, as you step from this university into the global marketplace of life, I urge you to carry with you the values of thoroughness, responsibility, integrity, timeliness and respect for the law. These are simple values, but they are enduring values; and they have consistently distinguished men and women who make a positive and lasting impact in society.
Go out there and be great ambassadors of Lagos State University. Many of you will carry the green passport of our dear country and, wherever you go, you will inevitably become part of the Nigerian story. Make yours a story that enhances the image of Nigeria.
Finally, let me say this: Do not merely aspire to succeed. Aspire to do things right.
Congratulations once again to all the graduands and awardees.
Great LASUITES—Great! Thank you and God bless Lagos State University.
Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR
August 2026
