In an uplifting ceremony on Friday, December 13, 2024, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, officially inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Research, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Awori House) at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.
The state-of-the-art facility, dedicated to the memory of her late father, Alhaji Jimoh Kareem-Laka Orelope, was formally handed over to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria to serve as an innovation hub for youth in and around the LASU community.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire highlighted the inspiration behind the initiative, noting, “Following the inspiring launch of UNDP’s FINTECH and Tumbuktoo initiative in Lagos in July this year, I was inspired to partner with UNDP Nigeria in the management and sustainability of the Centre.”
She explained that the project was privately funded with support from well-meaning Nigerians, aiming to provide young people with a space to develop their ideas for personal and societal advancement.
UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, expressed her enthusiasm during the handover ceremony, stating that Awori House will serve as a model for future innovation hubs across Nigeria.
“This hub, domiciled in LASU, would be a model for the other innovation hubs that would be constructed by the UNDP across the 36 states of Nigeria,” she said, emphasizing its potential to help young Nigerians achieve their dreams.
LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, praised the donor’s vision and commitment to the university. “Entrepreneurship and innovation put power in the hands of young people to defeat obstacles placed in the way of their personal progress. With a facility like this, the power is in their hands,” she remarked, highlighting the transformative impact the hub would have on students.
Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Tolani Sule, underscored the timely nature of the facility’s donation, stating, “It would encourage students to carry out research that would lead to great innovations. This comes at a time when Lagos State is working towards becoming the innovation hub of Africa.”
The event culminated with a symbolic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing by Princess Orelope-Adefulire, Ms. Attafuah, and Prof. Olatunji-Bello. Dignitaries, including the Oniba of Iba Kingdom, HRM Oba Sulaimon Raji Ashade, and other royal representatives, joined a tour of the two-storey facility, which features modern workspaces, creative studios, multimedia equipment, and recreational spaces designed to foster creativity and productivity.
This initiative is not Princess Orelope-Adefulire’s first contribution to LASU. Previously, she facilitated the construction of a state-of-the-art medical center funded by the Federal Government and is currently overseeing the construction of a 750-seat lecture theatre for the institution.
With Awori House now operational under the management of UNDP, LASU is set to become a beacon of innovation, providing students with unparalleled opportunities to transform ideas into impactful realities.
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