TheCable

Tokunbo Abiru, senator representing Lagos east district, has called on Nigerian youths to embrace togetherness, sportsmanship, and dedication to hard work to evolve a better society.

Abiru spoke in Lagos on Saturday during the 35th anniversary of the alumni pioneer class of 1988, Lagos State University (LASU), with the theme, “A new phase – managing life after retirement’’.

According to the lawmaker, there is a lot to learn from the LASU class of 1988 due to the members’ spirit of bonding.

‘’We graduated 35 years ago, went our separate ways, but there is still a bond that is bringing us together,” NAN quoted Abiru as saying.

“So, the younger generation coming behind should learn from such arrangement because that is how a society evolves in a proper way.

“The fact that we can lean on one another, reach out to one another, I think, is part of how a society evolves in a very decent manner.”

Also speaking, Abiodun Denloye, the deputy vice chancellor (academic) of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, said it is important for young people to always learn and relearn to remain relevant in their chosen careers.

“I advise people that what you studied yesterday has become irrelevant today; therefore, you have to have a continuity by learning and learning more,” Denloye said.

“When I was in school, I studied zoology, but today, I am an expert in biosecurity; by implication, the zoology we learnt back then, which was theory, we have become practical in it, in applications and that has been a major difference.

“It is good to always want to learn and learn more. We should also embrace team spirit.”

In his remarks, Olabode Garbadeen, president of LASU pioneer class ’88, said the gathering aimed to show appreciation to God and an opportunity to interact, exchange benefits, and plan a way forward, especially in terms of giving back to the alma mater.

“We are 35 years today that we graduated from LASU; that makes it 39 years since we entered LASU. This calls for celebration a lot of waters have passed under the bridge,” Garbadeen said.

“If we are alive today and we have lots of our members doing well in different industries, social circle, government, military, in all spheres of life, we cannot, but on a landmark like this come together and celebrate.

“So, that is the core reason why we are gathered here today to showcase ourselves to tell the world what God has done for us and the journey ahead of us.

“Also, how we want to ply it and of course to give a ground for us to interact, socially, business-wise, morally and all manners of reasons why coming together is good.”

Earlier in her speech, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello,  the vice-chancellor of LASU, described the anniversary as an auspicious one that held great significance, both for the class and the university at large.

Olatunji-Bello, represented by Olufunso Omobimpkan,  the deputy vice-chancellor, said the class of 1988, being the pioneer set, had made history.

‘’So, celebrating 35 years of your graduation is befitting and I am indeed proud to share in this moment with each member of class 1988 present here today,” the VC said.

‘This event should call for reflection in the realization of how far you have gone in your journeys of life.”