The University of Lagos has introduced a new badge to discredit the renaming of the institution after the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief Moshood Abiola by the Federal Government.The badge, which carries the inscription, “UNILAG forever,” was distributed to members of staff and students at a news conference by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday.
According to the chairman of the University of Lagos branch of the union, Dr Oghenekaro Ogbinaka, who was accompanied by his counterparts from the University of Ibadan and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Drs Segun Ajiboye and Biodun Badmus and the National Treasurer of ASUU, Dr Demola Aremu, the badge is one of the steps being taken by the union to work against the renaming of institution.
He said, “we have mapped out plans to persistently reject the renaming of the University of Lagos. The renaming of the University of Lagos after 50 years of existence, is one of such actions that have been taken to an absurd level.”
He further said that government’s action would be challenged legally, while describing the pronouncement of President Goodluck Jonathan as a wrong and immoral decision intended to gain cheap popularity.
Following the submission of the amended bill that set up the University of Lagos to the National Assembly by the president recently, the academics vowed to storm the public hearing to thwart the decision of the government.
According to Ogbinaka, the union has gathered the support of eminent lawyers, including Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) and Wole Olanipekun (SAN) to argue its case both at the law court and during the public hearing.
In another development, the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers has condemned the renaming of UNILAG, calling on the government to rescind its decision.
Culled: Nigerian Tribune
Written by Kunle Awosiyan, Lagos
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