Things are not so rosy in the University of Lagos, one of
the first generation universities in Nigeria as the institution’s Academic
Staff Union University (ASUU) chapter declared the Pro-Chancellor
and Chairman of Council , Dr Wale Babalakin ‘persona non grata’ on the University campus
over his alleged role in the postponement of the 51st convocation
ceremony of the institution.
Babalakin, in his capacity as the
varsity’s Chairman of Council, was alleged
to be instrumental to the postponement of the University’s 51st convocation ceremony. He was specifically
accused of being selfish by travelling to
the UK for a birthday ceremony, at a time the university was meant to hold its
convocation ceremony.
Rising from its meeting last Wednesday, the lecturers, under the
umbrella of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), filed out in their
hundreds to stage a peaceful protest to the council chamber and around the
campus.
Dele Ashiru, the Union’s Chairman, said the union had already passed a vote of
no confidence in Mr Babalakin.
However, Babalakin has denied that he travelled to UK for any ceremony. He said
he is currently on medical trip to Germany. He pointed out that he did not book his trip
until it was clear that the convocation has been postponed.
“And you said they claimed I travelled to the UK for a birthday? This is
ridiculous. I’m in Germany for medical reason and I did not book the trip until
the NUC ordered the suspension,” he was quoted as saying in a telephone
interview with a source.
“These people get a lot of things wrong. Why are they directing their protest
at me? I did not postpone the convocation. The NUC did’’, he said.
Babalakin said it is not within the power of the lecturers to declare him
persona non grata since he was not
appointed by the ASUU and cannot be removed by the union.
The council chairman said he had not done anything outside the laws governing
the university, and that ASUU or anyone
opposed to the postponement should carefully go through the law establishing the
institution and the roles of the governing council.
it would be recalled that the National
Universities’ Commission (NUC), which regulates Nigerian universities, had
earlier written to the university
management to stop the convocation ceremony which was billed to hold between
March 9 and 13.
Mrs. Taiwo Oloyede, the institution’s
Public Relations Officer who confirmed the development to newsmen, said details would be provided later.
Segun Fatuase
seguntuase@gmail.com
08023092925