CMS Grammar Student Wins One-Day Vice-Chancellor Role at UNILAG After Speech Competition Victory

In a groundbreaking moment at the 2024 STACK Reform Conference, Mr. Goodness Adenaike, a senior secondary school student from CMS Grammar School, Bariga, earned the remarkable opportunity to serve as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for one day. This symbolic appointment underscores the University’s commitment to empowering youth and fostering innovation, as it seeks to involve younger generations in shaping the future of the nation.

Master Adenaike triumphed in the Speech Competition, one of the key events of the conference, with his eloquent and insightful discourse on the topic, "The Future is Now: How Technology Will Shape Healthcare in the Next Decade." He competed fiercely with five other contestants, earning the top prize of a brand-new laptop. The runners-up included Jasmine Adeniyi of International School Lagos, who received a tablet, and Naomi Chukumah Okoh from Queens College, who took home N100,000.

The 2024 STACK Reform Conference, held on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at UNILAG's J. F. Ade. Ajayi Auditorium, carried the theme "Fast Forward: Nigeria’s Giant Leap into the Future of Healthcare." The event brought together experts, stakeholders, and students to explore innovative strategies for improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

The conference featured keynote presentations from notable figures in the healthcare sector, including Dr. Leke Ojewale, Senior Technical Adviser on Digital Health to the Federal Ministry of Health; Dr. Olatokunbo Alli, Managing Director of Leadway Health; Dr. Oroluwa Finnih, Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on SDGs; and Dr. Dami Adeyemi-Levites, Chief Investment Officer of HealthCap Africa. They shared insights on building resilient healthcare systems, the role of public-private partnerships, and the future of healthcare innovations.

A lively panel session on overcoming barriers to technological integration in Nigeria’s healthcare system also featured robust discussions on leveraging technology to enhance healthcare delivery.

Another key highlight was the third edition of the Femi-Pearse Essay Competition, which commemorated the legacy of the late Professor Ayodeji Femi-Pearse, former Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG. Over 2,000 essays were reviewed, with Miss Cynthia Clement of Federal University Dutse emerging as the winner, taking home a cash prize of ₦500,000. Second and third place went to Mr. Ayo Nitemi of UNILAG’s Faculty of Law and Miss Lilian Osun of the University of Ibadan, respectively.

Representing Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola, Professor Olufemi Saibu, Director of Quality Assurance and SERVICOM, praised the conference's alignment with the University’s future-ready agenda, emphasizing the importance of youth involvement in critical healthcare discussions.

Mr. Mustapha Madehin, President of KB Klub, also reflected on the club's impactful journey since its inception in 1969, reaffirming its commitment to fostering academic excellence, youth development, and healthcare innovation.

The 2024 STACK Reform Conference was a resounding success, blending academic rigor, thought leadership, and youth empowerment. It provided a platform for young minds to engage in important conversations about the future of healthcare and innovation in Nigeria.