LAGOS PERMANENT SECRETARY URGES LASCOHET STAFF TO BE GOOD AMBASSADORS

… As Provost Calls For Intervention On Employment Concerns, Urges Flexibility In Professional Body Regulations

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Establishments and Training, Mrs. Olubusola Abidakun has called on the Management and Staff of Lagos State College of Health Technology (LASCOHET) to uphold the Institution’s reputation and serve as exemplary ambassadors. 

She highlighted the critical role LASCOHET plays in the development of the Primary Healthcare sector in Lagos State, emphasising that the contributions of the Institution’s Staff are indispensable.

Delivering a lecture titled: “LASCOHET: Bridging the Manpower Gap in the Primary Healthcare Sector”, at the Year 2024 Management Retreat of the College held in Maryland, Lagos State, Abidakun expressed concern about the Institution’s limited public awareness.

She stressed that promoting the College’s achievements and creating broader awareness about its programmes is a collective responsibility that starts with the leadership. 

“LASCOHET has a vital role in filling the manpower gap in the Healthcare sector by training professionals in various Healthcare disciplines, who contribute significantly to improving healthcare services in Lagos and across Nigeria”, she said.

Mrs. Abidakun urged members of staff to take proactive steps in changing the narrative by applying their expertise, engaging in continuous professional development, and participating in mentorship programmes. 

Addressing the financial constraints and other challenges faced by LASCOHET, Mrs. Abidakun advised the Institution to move beyond mediocrity and adopt innovative ideas to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). 

Additionally, she assured that LASCOHET would be considered for various training programnes from the Ministry of Establishments and Training, aimed at improving the skills and performance of its staff.

Reacting to the presentation made by Mrs. Abidakun, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Mr. Adeniran Kasali expressed deep gratitude to her for the insightful lecture and pledged to work on the pressing issues raised, especially the space limitations. 

He revealed that the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had approved the establishment of a University of Medicine and Health Sciences and was also planning to decongest the Lagos State College of Health Technology (LASCOHET) by creating mini-campuses to accommodate more schools. 

Mr. Kasali expressed his strong belief in Mrs. Abidakun’s ability to advocate effectively on behalf of the College.

The Provost of the College, Professor Raheem Akewushola expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the Retreat, noting that the various speakers not only identified key challenges facing the institution but also provided practical solutions. 

He used the platform to raise critical issues, particularly concerning the employment grades assigned to the College’s graduates and the perception that the professional bodies are being portrayed as more important than the certification programmes.

Professor Akewushola emphasised the need for the Ministry of Establishments and Training to support the implementation of Federal Government policies regarding the employment of the College’s graduates. 

He also appealed to Mrs. Abidakun, requesting her intervention on behalf of the College, especially in addressing the growing rigidity of professional bodies whose stringent regulations pose significant challenges to the institution.

Furthermore, he highlighted the directives from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) which mandate a higher student intake than the College’s facilities can accommodate, saying that this mismatch has led to a backlog of students awaiting certification. He urged Mrs. Abidakun to address the issue of uncertified students being employed and the overall capacity constraints faced by the institution.

Dr. Ayobami Folarin Elegunde (Ph.D.), during a presentation at the Retreat on ‘Academic Integrity and Student Mentoring in A Millennium Institution’, maintained that in an era where the complexities of the workplace demand a high level of competence and ethical behavior, the focus on academic integrity and student mentoring in higher education institutions has become paramount.

According to Dr. Elegunde, academic dishonesty not only undermines the learning experience for students who engage in unethical practices but also negatively impacts their peers. 

Dr. Elegunde also encouraged faculty members to take an active role in student development, citing several key mentoring tasks. These include interacting with students outside the classroom, providing early psychosocial support, and being attentive to students’ career aspirations.

He asserted that Academic institutions must prioritise the principles of academic integrity as it fosters honesty, accountability, and respect within the academic community.