The University of
Lagos (UNILAG) chapter of the the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has
condemned the suspension of the institution’s 51st convocation.
The convocation was
slated to begin from March 9 to 12.
Adamu Adamu,
minister of education, had asked the institution to suspend the ceremony after
Wale Babalakin, chairman of the governing council of the university, said the
management did not follow due process before reaching its decision.
Babalakin was said
to have disagreed with the management over the choice of the convocation
lecturer who was slated to be Isa Pantami, minister of communication and
digital economy.
The chairman of the
governing council was said to have preferred a former president of Ghana as the
convocation lecturer.
In a statement on
Friday, ‘Dele Ashiru, chairman of ASUU UNILAG, described the suspension as
inhuman and wicked.
“Preliminary
investigations by our Union reveal that the postponement was occasioned by the
Pro-Chancellor’s unilateral complaint to the Ministry of Education that the
2019 convocation ceremonies were not approved by Council contrary to available
evidence,” Ashiru said.
“Our Union therefore
condemns in the strongest terms this wicked, inhuman, egoistic, retrogressive,
unconscionable and satanic postponement of this historic convocation ceremonies
on account of the over bloated ego of the Pro-Chancellor.
“This latest antics
of the Pro-Chancellor has further confirmed our age-long fears about the
destructive machinations of the Pro-Chancellor in the University of Lagos in
particular and the entire Nigerian University system in general.
“Otherwise, how else
can one explain the role of the Pro-Chancellor in the calamitous postponement
of a convocation ceremony without any consideration for the psychological
trauma this may cause the graduands, their parents, relatives, the image and
reputation of the University. This is apart from the huge human, material and
financial resources that have been committed to planning the ceremony.
“That the Ministry
of Education could by fiat request the Executive Secretary of the National
Universities Commission (NUC) to “advise the Vice Chancellor to suspend the
University’s convocation ceremony without investigating the veracity of the
Pro-Chancellor’s claim is not only worrisome but highly depressing. It is a
blatant erosion of academic freedom and University autonomy for which our Union
has consistently fought for over the years.”
Also, in a letter
dated March 2 in response to Babalakin’s claim, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the
vice-chancellor, said the university followed the pro-chancellor’s directives
and did not contravene any law.
“Mr. Pro-Chanceilor,
it is clear from the contents of the letter that all information relating to
the impending Convocation Ceremonies were brought to the notice of Council as
you made copious references to it,” Ogundipe said.
“In addition, sir,
you personally made input to the convocation arrangements. These statements can
be verified by the audio recording and minutes of the council meetings of 21st
and 22nd January, 2020.
“You will recall
that I said that the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo had accepted to be the
convocation lecturer. I also mentioned to council, discordant tones coming from
his office because of the political climate in his country.”
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