By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The management of Lagos Business School (LBS) has commenced the process of building an International Management Research Centre to be named after the late Nigerian technocrat and administrator, Mr Gamaliel Onosode.
To mark the occasion, a sod-turning ceremony was held at the centre’s construction premises at the Lagos Business School on Wednesday, November 29, 2017.
LBS received a generous donation from the Onosode family, on behalf of the Gamaliel and Susan Onosode Foundation (GAMSU), for the research centre project. The foundation is a non-profit and non-political organization, set out to provide the enabling environment for the success of the Nigerian child through innovative and flexible learning opportunities.
At the ceremony, Professor Juan Elegido, Vice Chancellor of the Pan-Atlantic University, commended the Onosode family for their commitment to the project and expressed his delight at the values which the late Onosode represents.
“Onosode’s commitment to professional ethics and excellence are the reason why we are gathered here to erect this research facility that would add value to our faculty and in turn immortalise him,” he explained.
Mr Joseph Moyo Ajekigbe, Chairman of GAMSU, said that LBS is an institution noted for excellence and commitment to adding values to the society, hence, deserving of such a research centre that would project the vision of the late administrator.
“We are happy to be worthy partners with the LBS on this project and we are sure the institution’s unique ways of doing things is in line with Onosode’s vision,” he said.
He thanked the Onosode family for their commitment to the project and assured that users of the research facility would be happier when the project is completed.
On his part, Mr Ese Onosode reaffirmed his father’s commitment to the completion of the project and assured the institution of his family’s efforts to bring the project to fruition.
“We are happy to share my father’s vision with LBS and to witness the start of the project and pledge our continuous support till the very end,” Ese stated.
He also expressed his confidence at the Lagos Business School describing it as a brand to be associated with.
Dr Christopher Kolade, former Pro-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, said that one of Onosode’s top concerns about Nigeria, the business sector and public sector was the poverty of management performance in many places.
As such, “setting up a management research centre such as this is one of the best things we have done with the legacy he left behind. This is an area of interest in which Onosode had passion and by doing this, we would immortalise him,” Mr Kolade stated. He further thanked the LBS and members of the family for embarking on the project to accomplish the vision of a visionary leader.
Dr Enase Okonedo, Dean of the Lagos Business School, expressed the institution’s appreciation to the Onosode family and the Foundation. She revealed that there was great cooperation and willingness from both parties during the preparatory stage of the project and commended their commitment towards the vision of the research centre.
The Lagos Business School also received donations from Col. Paul Obi (rtd.), and Zenith Bank Plc. The donations would go towards the building of the International Management Research Centre (IMRC), which will be used for the school’s research activities.
The Gamaliel Onosode Management Research Centre project will house LBS existing and future research centres. These include The Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics, The First Bank Sustainability Centre, The Centre for Infrastructure, Policy, Regulation and Advancement as well as The Centre for Competitiveness and Strategy.
