Category: Uncategorized

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

 

bout 5,000 Students attending tertiary institutions in Kwara State would attempt to break the world record for the largest number of students participating in practical learning in one place on March 21, 2020.

The record breaking activity will hold during the Science Awareness Conference organised by the Science Ambassadors Foundation (SAF) at the University of Ilorin.

The conference with theme: Innovate Kwara, would feature the Kwara-UNILORIN Innovation Hackathon to exhibit technology innovations in the area of renewable energy developed to address local problems by about 50 teams of students.

At a press briefing in Lagos to announce the event, Country Director SAF, Mrs. Peace Nnabugwu, said the Foundation was collaborating with Central Electric and Utilities with the backing of the Kwara State Ministry of Tertiary Education and Communication on the event to enhance the scientific skills of young people in fun ways.

“Teaching science subjects should be innovative and fun if we are to get young people to participate in it,” she said.

She said during the world record challenge, the participants would carry out three experiments.

Apart from the world record, Mrs. Nnabugwu said winners of the Hackathon tech challenge would get to represent Nigeria in the United States.

Nnabugwu, a Ph.D student at the UNILORIN Renewable Energy Centre (UREC), is also a 2019 U.S. TechWomen Fellow.  She said the students who would showcase their work at the event were already being mentored by technology experts both in Nigeria and abroad.

Other partners like Finlab, Studylab360.com have donated scientific equipment and prizes towards the event.

Emma Elekwa Onitsha

Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Prof. Charles Esimone said the era of open defecation by students of the institution will soon be over with the ongoing reconstruction of the students’ hostel.

Esimone disclosed this while briefing the press on preparations for the 14th convocation ceremony of the institution.

He regretted the ugly condition of the university hostels occasioned by non availability of toilet facilities, pledging to put an end to the menace.

He said: “If you go to the female hostels in particular, you see girls defecating openly due to lack of toilet facilities.

“We’re carrying out some reconstruction work at the hostels. We’re converting all the rooms in the hostel to self-contained with each room having bathrooms and toilets.

The VC also pledged to upgrade all the classrooms in the institution to international standards for conducive learning atmosphere.

“He said: “We’re seriously challenged by funds. But we can’t continue to fold our hands waiting for take-off grants from government.

“Everything you see here was done under the concept of what we call “Igwebuike”. That’s why we’re identifying individuals and corporate bodies to come and assist us.”

He further assured the 47 first class graduates and best graduating students of automatic employment to ensure the culture was sustained

 

 

By Sampson Unamka

A COMMISSIONER in the Federal Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Iyabo Odulate, has told parents to encourage their children to participate in sports.

Odulate, representing Lagos and Ogun in the commission, made the appeal last week at the 41st Interhouse Sports of the Federal Government Girls’ College, Sagamu, Ogun State.

Odulate was represented at the event by the National Secretary of the Trade Union Congress Women Commission, Mrs. Omolara Sansa. She said that sports was an integral part of education and that it had become a global money-spinning industry in which many Nigerians at home and abroad were benefiting from. “Parents, who may still be living in stone age when sports was regarded as the last option for dullards should desist from such thinking.

“Sporting activities have got much to do with religion as every religion believes in good health, which means that sporting activities are embedded in all of them,” she said

Odulate described the Federal Government Girls’ College, Sagamu, as an institution that has produced lots of notable women in society.

“The products of this school have excelled in virtually every field of endeavour and they have taken girl-child education to an unparalleled level.”

She also told pupils to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship in whatever they engage in because sports had become a rallying point, unifying factor and means of psycho-motor development.

The Principal of the college, Mrs Oluwatofunmi Akamo, said there was need to occasionally engage students in sporting activities to boost their physical and mental fitness.

Akamo said: “A sound mind needs a sound body and it is necessary for students to pass their examinations.

“For this reason, the Federal Ministry of Education in line with the national policy on education ensures that sporting activities are organised not only within the college but outside the zone. Recently, our girls participated at the just-concluded Federal Government Colleges Games and they won medals.It will not be wrong to say that it is only in sports that Nigerians speak with one voice.”

Akamo, who is also a director in the Federal Ministry of Education, advised students to show determination at all times because life’s race needed to be completed whether one was feeling out of breath or not.

She appealed to parents and individuals to assist the school by renovating the sports pavilion,  and provide facilities for both track and field events. She also canvassed for more   trainers to harness the sporting skills of students of the college.

Sodehinde House clinched the first position  at the event, while Ogun House came second with Rima House placing third.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

It was meant to be a competition among pupils to commemorate the 2020 Commonwealth Day;  but it ended up as a strong admonition to teachers, directors, and other officials in charge of the education sector to do their bit to educate public school children.

The song/drama performances by pupils from the six education districts wowed everyone present at the event held at the Lagos State Education Resource Centre, Ojodu on Monday.  The Education Commissioner, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, who said she was so enthralled by the presentation that she could not leave for a scheduled meeting.

The pupils ex-rayed the theme: Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, innovating, transforming” through song and drama in creative ways that highlighted the challenges facing various commonwealth countries, particularly Nigeria. Mrs. Adefisayo said she was impressed that the pupils displayed many of the 21st century skills in their presentations, saying that she

was sure the country in their hands, would be safe. “We are looking at the future, and the future looks good because these children are creative, game changers, problem solvers, innovators,” she said. Conversely, she told the adults present to pay close attention to the themes of their presentations poverty, insecurity, poor health services, poor education delivery, poor infrastructure, among others.

While many of the issues were not under the purview of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Adefisayo said public education should be managed with utmost commitment and sincerity.

“As old generation, we have failed these children.  But is it possible to make amends? I don’t believe in doing things I have no control over.  I am not in charge of roads; I am not in charge of transportation; I am not in charge of power and energy.  But in this room we are in charge of the public education system of Lagos State and we can do something about it.  We have to have a paradigm shift.  I charge every one of you in your department, office, let us start to have a paradigm shift for these ones to have a good future,” she said.

The highpoint of the event was when the commissioner called the Lagos State Choral group back on stage and joined them for a repeat performance of one of its songs, which called for everyone to work together to lift education in the state. At the end of the competition, District I came first with 154 points. Disctrict IV followed in the second position with 146 points; while District was third with 131 points.

Our Reporter

March 6, 2020 marked exactly two years that Obafemi Omokungbe assumed the position of Rector, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech).

In a muted celebration organised for him by the Rectory staff, prayers were offered to God in appreciation of his purposeful leadership provided for the college and for God’s presence in the remaining years of his tenure  to enable him take  the right decisions  that will move the college forward rapidly.

The Deputy Rector Administration, Dr. Titilayo Ukabam, Director, Yabatech Consult, Mr. Iyang Udoh, Polytechnic Librarian, Mrs. Taye Adebowale and the Registrar, Dr. Sikiru Momodu, all prayed for God’s continuous intervention in the affairs of the institution.

Read Also: YabaTech holds first alumni reunion 

They also prayed for divine wisdom, knowledge and understanding for the Rector to lead the  institution to greater heights.

Yabatech has experienced peace and tranquility since the beginning of Omokungbe administration, and it was reiterated during the supplication that the peace continue to reign.

He thanked God for his guidance, staff and students for their support, and prayed that God will speedily answers all the prayers of the day.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has named Mr. Patrick Ehidiamen Areghan as the new Head of National Office (HNO).

The former Head of Test Administration Division, WAEC, Nigeria, succeeded Mr. Isaac Adenipekun, who retired as Head of National Office (HNO) Thursday last week.

Areghan, a native of Uromi in Edo State, graduated with a first class in Political Science from the University of Benin in 1983. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (UNIBEN, 1989); and a Master’s in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He is a Fellow of the Corporate Governance Professionals of Nigeria (FCGP).

Read Also: How to check WAEC results

Areghan joined WAEC in October, 1989 as an Assistant Registrar II. He rose through the ranks to become Senior Deputy Registrar in April, 2018.

In his over two decades in service, Areghan has served WAEC in various capacities including Senior Deputy Registrar, Test Administration (January, 2019-March 5, 2020); Ag. Director of Administration and later, Director of Administration, (February, 2016 – January, 2019); Zonal Coordinator, Abuja Zonal Office (August, 2014 – February, 2016); Zonal Coordinator, Port Harcourt Zonal Office (March, 2013 – August, 2014); Branch Controller, Kano Branch Office (October, 2009 – March, 2013); Head of Examinations and Deputy to the Zonal Coordinator, Ibadan Zonal Office (January, 2009 – October, 2009); Head of Examinations Security and Deputy to the Branch Controller, Lokoja Branch Office (January, 2005 – January, 2009); among others.

By Sunday Egon

MANAGEMENT of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) has declared this week lecture free to allow students prepare for the examination.

This was contained in a memo signed by the students affairs officer Mr. Elvis Irefo, and addressed to the Students’ Union.

The concession was made following the intervention of the Student’s Union that pleaded for a postponement for a week to allow their colleagues prepare effectively before the examination. Initially, the first semester examination was to have commenced on Monday, it will now begin on Monday next week.

Read Also: ASUU at UNILAG passes no confidence vote in Babalakin

The memo read thus: “I am directed to inform you that management has graciously granted an anticipatory approval for all students in HND2, HND1, ND2 and ND1 to begin their first semester exam for 2019/2020 academic session from March 16 to Friday April 13, 2020. “Please note that management would not entertain any further excuses from the Students’ Union in the above request. Perhaps this is due to the disturbances it might cause to the institute academic calendar and the overall planning process by the management.

By Halima Balogun

THE Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun, has urged students to face their studies and imbibe the culture of time management.

Eshinlokun who was represented by Mr Rasheed Giwa, said this while presenting free Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) forms to indigent students of the Lagos Island Local Government council.

“Education is paramount to every individual. Whoever gains admision with these free forms will be entitled to scholarship up till the university level”, he said. He implored the students to face their studies squarely and not let the frivolities of life lead them astray. The chairman, education committee, Mr. Abiodun Aromire urged the beneficiaries of the free forms to utilise the opportunity given to them and ensure they also give back to the society in any possible way they can.

As the world marks Kidney Day today, SEYI ODEWALE examines efforts being made to sensitise the public to the need to guard against this debilitating disease that drains people’s fortunes and knows no other cure except transplant.

In 2001, a few months after his wedding, Reverend Morgan Molokwu, now Tabugbo Morgan Uzoma, a priest of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Asaba, the Delta State capital, was down with renal failure.

He underwent several dialysis sessions to correct the organ. Having spent all he had on dialysis, the young man, with his wife, had to face the stark reality that he needed a transplant in order to live a normal live again.

It requires a lot of money and the funds were not easy to get. Not only that, he also needed a donor. All efforts were almost futile. Divine healing, which he, as a priest, believed in and which he could have advocated for his members, failed him. Several visits to ‘healing centres’, spiritual churches and the search for a donor made his health to deteriorate as he literally ‘died’.

But thank God for his church, public-spirited Nigerians, the media and his wife, Prisca, who came together to facilitate a kidney transplant for him. Prisca donated one of her kidneys to him and the surgery was successful.

However, due to complications, the grafted organ could not function properly. Tabugbo needed another organ. He was lucky and the second surgery has made him to live till date.

Also in 2001, ace broadcaster, Steve Kadiri, was down with renal failure. He had a kidney transplant at the St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos. The transplant was a success, courtesy of an organ donated by his brother, Benjamin, which helped to bring back the ace radio Disco Jockey back to life.

Steve, got his life back though, it was short-lived. His body could not sustain the transplanted kidney. Reason: his immune system was suppressed for his body not to reject the transplanted kidney. He became susceptible to many diseases. He lost his left arm which was amputated to preserve his body and life. The hand became infected as a result of prolonged dialysis when the transplanted kidney failed. Sadly, in October 2009, Steve lost the battle and gave up the ghost.

Kidney failure has been a serious medical problem in Nigeria, but it was not until celebrities such as Kadiri were diagnosed of having the disease that it became a national concern.

However, not much has been done by the government or health policy formulators, except the media, which helped to pronounce it and raised funds for its treatment.

 

What is kidney failure?

Kidney disease is a non-communicable disease (NCD) affecting around 850 million people worldwide.

According to research, one in 10 adults has the chronic kidney disease (CKD). The global burden of CKD is increasing, and is projected to become the fifth most common cause of years of life lost globally by 2040.

According to Rev. Uzoma, who has since been an advocate of the disease in terms of awareness creation, over 30 million Nigerians have kidney disease.

Statistics by the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN), also revealed that majority of sufferers are of the working-age population, with the condition resulting in loss of jobs and poverty.

NAN also revealed in an interview two years ago that the condition not only gulps huge sums of money for treatment, it also leaves the sufferers constantly tired, in pain and at risk of death.

The disease, findings revealed, is a major cause of catastrophic health expenditure, with the costs of dialysis and transplantation taking between 2-3 per cent of the annual health care budget in high-income countries.

Findings also revealed that people with kidney failure in low-income and middle-income countries, do not have sufficient access to lifesaving dialysis and kidney transplantation, hence high mortality rate through this has been inevitable. Findings, again, revealed that kidney disease can be prevented and its progression to end-stage disease can be delayed with appropriate and adequate access to basic diagnostics and early treatment.

 

How the kidneys function

Interestingly, some people are not aware of how the kidneys work and their importance. The bean-shaped organs have several important functions in the body. One of such is filtering of wastes from the bloodstream and maintaining the electrolytes balance in the body. Kidneys also get rid of chemicals and drugs by-products and toxins from the blood, just as they remove them and excess water as urine.

The kidney organs have the duty of producing hormones that regulate the absorption of calcium from the food, which strengthens the bones, produces red blood cells, which again prevents anemia. The kidneys also regulate the amount of fluid in the circulatory system (and thus blood pressure).

When blood enters the kidneys, it is first filtered through structures called glomeruli. The second step is filtering through a series of tubules called nephrons. The tubules both remove unwanted substances and reabsorb useful substances back into the blood. Each of the kidneys contains several million nephrons, which cannot be restored if they are damaged.

 

Causes of kidney failure

Medical research has shown that people with the following conditions are at risk of developing kidney failure and end-stage renal disease. They include Diabetes (type 1 or type 2); high blood pressure – especially if severe or uncontrolled; sickle cell anaemia; heart disease or heart attack; liver disease or liver failure.

There are other causes such as those arising from vascular diseases, which block blood flow to different parts of the body, including renal artery thrombosis (blood clot), scleroderma.

There are also inherited kidney diseases such as polycystic kidney disease, congenital obstructive uropathy. Findings also revealed that taking antibiotics and substances such as heroin, and going through chemotherapy can cause inflammation of kidney structures.

According to Dr Ebun Bamgboye a former NAN President, who spoke in an interview two years ago, kidney diseases can be either chronic (a progressive loss of kidney function caused by long standing disease) or acute (abrupt loss of kidney function within seven days due to reasons such as heart attack, illegal drug use, infections).

Certain cancers such as incidental carcinoma, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, renal cell carcinoma, and HIV infection, findings have revealed, can cause kidney failure. Also fingered as causes are: Vesicoureteral reflux, a urinary tract problem; past kidney transplant (graft failure) and Rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Possible remedies

As the nation marks this year’s World Kidney Day today, its organisers said they will not relent in raising awareness about the burden of the disease and strive for kidney health for everyone, everywhere. They said this year’s campaign will specifically highlight the importance of preventive interventions to avert the disease and its progression.

Defining preventive interventions, they said the term “prevention” refers to activities that are typically categorised by three definitions: (1) Primary Prevention, which implies intervening before health effects occur in an effort to prevent the onset of kidney disease before the disease process begins; (2) Secondary prevention suggests preventive measures that lead to early diagnosis and prompt treatment of kidney disease to prevent more severe problems developing and (3) Tertiary prevention indicates managing kidney disease after it is well established in order to control disease progression and the emergence of more severe complications.

“Specifically, primary prevention of kidney disease requires the modification of risk factors, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension, unhealthy diets, structural abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tracts, and/ or nephrotoxicity levels. Preventative primary interventions include promoting healthy life styles, including physical activity and healthy diets, screening for patients at higher CKD risk with the aid of urine and blood tests and keeping screening data in a CKD registry.

“In persons with pre-existing kidney disease, secondary prevention, including blood pressure optimisation and glycemic control, is the main goal of education and clinical interventions which can be achieved by low salt and protein, as well as plant-based diets and pharmacotherapy. In patients with advanced CKD, management of co-morbidities such as uremia (1) and cardiovascular disease is of high priority.

Such preventive measures of CKD are becoming ever more important, with rising levels of cases worldwide. As CKD is associated with high costs, preventive measures addressing root causes, especially in the form of primary prevention, have significant value. Raising awareness and educating individuals on the most important risk factors and preventative measures for kidney disease is important so as to reduce the burden of kidney disease.

In order for the importance of the “Prevention approach” of kidney disease and kidney failure be recognised, the World Kidney Day website said, promotion programmes for health care professionals, including nephrology fellowship programmes and non-specialist training; effective and efficient education and awareness programmes for the general population and partnerships for patient empowerment are crucial.

“In 2020, World Kidney Day calls on everyone to advocate for concrete measures in every country to promote and advance kidney disease prevention, including: Renewed focus on primary care, awareness raising and education, including patient empowerment and cross-specialty training; integration of CKD prevention into national NCD programmes for comprehensive and integrated services, which are essential in improving the early detection and tracking of CKD at country level and Whole-of-government, whole-of-society, health in all policies, multi-sectorial collaboration to promote prevention of kidney disease,” they wrote on their website.

The global campaign on the disease began in 2006 and has continued till date. The campaign has had series of yearly themes to intensify it. They include: “Are your kidneys ok?” for 2006; “Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Common, harmful and treatable” for 2007; “Your amazing kidneys!” for 2008; “Protect your kidneys: keep your pressure down” for 2009; “Protect your kidneys: Control diabetes” for 2010; “Protect your kidneys: Save your heart” for 2011; Donate-Kidneys for life-Receive” for 2012; “Kidneys for life-Stop kidney attack” for 2013; “Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and aging” for 2014; “Kidney health for all” for 2015; “Kidney Disease and children-Act Early to prevent it” for 2016; “Kidney Disease and obesity-Healthy lifestyle for healthy kidneys” for 2017; “Kidneys and women’s health. Include, value, empower” for 2018 and “Kidney Health for Everyone, Everywhere” for 2019.

This year’s theme: “Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere – from Prevention to Detection and Equitable Access to Care”, is apt as it aims to continue to raise awareness of the increasing burden of the diseases worldwide and strive for kidney health for everyone, everywhere.

In the words of Rev Uzoma, “Kidney disease is a silent killer. You can’t see any sign or symptom until it has damaged completely. Know your status now. When we say that over 30 million Nigerians have kidney disease, some think we are talking about people in the moon not knowing that they are involved.”

The 51st convocation of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) was unceremoniously suspended last week to the chagrin of the institution’s community. KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE reports on the undercurrent beneath the incident.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020, would have been the second day of the 51st convocation of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

According to the programme outlined by the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe on Monday March 2, 2020, graduating students from the Faculties of Education, Social Sciences, Arts, Environmental Science and Science were meant to receive their degrees on March 10, 2020 at the J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium of the university.

Theirs would have been followed by the ceremony for students of the Faculties of Engineering, Management Sciences, Law, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Pharmacy and the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) on March 11, and those of the School of Post-graduate Studies would have held on March 12.

Monday, March 9, 2020 would have been the convocation lecture, with the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami as lecturer.  However, the choice of Pantami as lecturer was one of the reasons the convocation was suspended.

 

Illumination from letters

On March 2, 2020, the Convocation press conference held at the Senate Chambers of the university in the presence of principal officers, deans, directors and other senior workers of the university.

However, while journalists listened as Prof. Ogundipe outlined activities for the four-day programme, they were oblivious to the exchange of some correspondence that would impact the outcome of the press conference.

On the same day, some letters were exchanged between the Vice-Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Wale Babalakin; between Babalakin and the Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu; and between the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education (FME) Abuja, Solomon Ochono and the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed.

When two days later, rumours got the round that the convocation had been suspended; it was the correspondence between Ochono and Rasheed that threw light on the conundrum between the Pro-Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor.

Ochono’s memo to Raheed inadvertently exposed the content of Babalakin’s letter to Adamu, which claimed the convocation was not approved by the university’s governing council.

The letter entitled “Re: Invitation to the 2019 Convocation Ceremony of the University of Lagos” reads: “The attention of the Honourable Minister has been drawn to the attached copy of letter dated March 2, 2020 from the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. B.O. Babalakin to the effect that the 2019 convocation ceremonies were not approved by the Governing Council in line with the laws of the University.

“I am to, therefore, request that you kindly advise the Vice-Chancellor to suspend the convocation and ensure full compliance with due process.”

In his memo to the Vice-Chancellor, Babalakin questioned the choice of Pantami as Convocation Lecturer after the Vice-Chancellor had announced President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana as the lecturer at the Council Meeting of January 22, 2020.

He also claimed that the four emeritus Professors nominated as would-be recipients of honorary degrees (Prof. Oye Ibidapo Obe; the late Dr. Stella Adadevoh; Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi and Chief Biodun Shobanjo) had not been approved by Council.

He said: “It is also noteworthy that no memo was presented to Council about the Convocation ceremony.  We discussed the proposed budget for the convocation ceremony and I specifically wrote that the budget should be implemented in a manner consistent with the procurement laws of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The Vice-Chancellor informed Council at its last meeting that the Convocation lecturer will be the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo. Council was very happy about this choice.  In the programme that I saw in the newspaper, the Convocation Lecturer was no longer advertised to be the President of Ghana.  No one informed Council about this change or the reason for the change.

“Council stated clearly at its last meeting that it will only consider nominees for the award of honorary degrees after receiving Senate’s recommendation.

“I need to state categorically that the letter of the Registrar and the invitation of the Vice-Chancellor contravene the laws of Nigeria fundamentally. And the university Council cannot be part of this.”

Responding in a letter also dated March 2, 2020, Ogundipe said Babalakin was present at the meetings where the Convocation lecturer as well as the nominees for honorary degrees was discussed.

The letter reads: “Mr. Pro-Chancellor, 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.  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 21 and 22 January, 2020.

“You will recall that I said that the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, had accepted to be the convocation lecturer.  You then advised that we seek the support of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa to assist in this regard.

“At the point, when it became clear that we could not get the President of Ghana, Senate duly approved the new convocation lecturer in the person of Dr. Isa Alli Ibrahim (Pantami), Honourable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy and he has graciously accepted.

“You will also recollect that the last meeting of Council preceded the January 2020 Senate meeting at which the recommendations of the honours committee of Senate were slated.  To ensure the smooth management of the process, I proactively gave Council an advance notice of the proposed three honorees and a fourth name, Dr. Stella Adadevoh was suggested by you for a posthumous award and Council agreed.

“Council then decided that since the next Council meeting before the Convocation ceremonies would be too close for inclusion of the honorees into the convocation order of proceedings, you proposed that I should meet Dr. John Momoh, to consider the Senate recommendations on behalf of Council.  This was done and a letter dated February 17, 2020 was sent to Dr. Momoh.  Having followed your directives, I fail to see how I have contravened any law.”

In the minutes of the said Council meeting obtained by The Nation, the Convocation was discussed under agendas 19.50 and 19.51.  The names of the nominees for the honorary degrees was discussed; as well as the proposed budget of N70 million for the programme.

On receiving the minutes of the Council’s Meeting, the Senate of the University held an emergency meeting on Wednesday (March 4) and tried to get the Council to allow the convocation to go on as scheduled but it was not to be.

The disagreement between the Vice-Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellor had started long before the convocation issue.

 

Workers, parents, students, disappointed

A member of the UNILAG Senate, Prof. Ngozi Osarenren of the Faculty of Education said minutes of the Council’s meeting showed that the Pro-Chancellor was present when the convocation programme was discussed.

She said: “(During) the emergency Senate meeting on Wednesday (March 4), minutes of meeting exist where 2019 convocation ceremony activities were discussed.

These are all captured in the minute. The damage to the image of the University of Lagos is unquantifiable.”

On the suspension, Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNILAG chapter, Dr. Dele Ashiru, described it as wicked.

He said: “As you may be aware, the agenda of Wale Babalakin and his pay masters is to discredit the Nigerian Public University system as inefficient in order to justify their call for the privatisation of universities.

“In view of this ASUU UNILAG condemns, in the strongest terms, this wicked, inhuman, egoistic and satanic postponement of the convocation ceremony of our great University in order to massage the over bloated ego of an imperial Pro-Chancellor.”

Former Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), UNILAG chapter,  Mr Oriwaye Adefolalu, Adefolalu said as alumni of the university, Ogundipe and Babalakin ought to work together for its progress.  He blamed the university’s alumni association for not calling the duo to order.

He said: “It is sadder to note that more than 90 per cent of members of the UNILAG Council and management are members of UNILAG alumni.  For them not to call themselves or their members who are at the helm of affairs in UNILAG to order is very much unfortunate.”

Piqued by the development, the UNILAG chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has passed a no-confidence vote on the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Wale Babalakin, even as it called for his removal.

The union passed the resolution at a congress held at the University on Wednesday during which it declared him a persona non grata. The union allegedly warned him to steer clear of the campus.

ASUU-UNILAG Chairman, Dr. Dele Ashiru told The Nation that the Union would enforce its resolution, urging the Federal Ministry of Education, to remove him, claiming that he had caused more harm than good.

Ashiru said: “We are asking the Federal Government to remove Babalakin as Pro-Chancellor because our union is going to enforce that resolution.  Babalakin should not be seen anywhere on this campus.

“We want him removed for deliberately misinforming the Ministry of Education, an action that led to the cancellation of our convocation.  His prayer to the ministry was that Council did not approve the convocation.

“Available evidence in the minutes states that the Council, during its January 21 and 22 meetings, was informed about the convocation and approved the budget for the convocation.”

Following the congress, the lecturers moved round the campus, making a stop outside the institution’s main gate of the university singing solidarity songs and carrying placards calling for Babalakin’s removal.

Some of the placards read: “Dictator Pro-Chancellor must GO”; “Remove Babalakin. When? Remove him NOW!”

They expressed disappointment that at a time the suspension of the convocation was causing ruckus on campus, Babalakin could travel to London to attend the 80th birthday party of Justice Adesola George Oguntade.

“You can imagine that at a time like this he is right now in London attending the birthday party of Justice Oguntade!” a senior lecturer told The Nation.

It is not certain how much out of the N70 million approved by the Council for the convocation has gone to waste as a result of the suspension.  However, on their parts, some parents had invested funds towards catering, venue and others.  Some even had booked flights from various places to attend the convocation in Lagos. They expressed disappointment about the suspension.

Chairman of the UNILAG Parents’ Forum, Mr. Babatunde  Majekodunmi said he had received complaints from many parents but appealed to them to be patient.

“Yes, I have received many responses from parents because they are not happy.  I continue to plead with them to exercise patience.  We are working with the university authorities to reschedule the convocation,” he said.

Many of the graduating students were not happy about the postponement as well.  They had made preparations to celebrate their last days as students of UNILAG.

A graduating student in the History and International Relations Department (names withheld) said many of his peers were disappointed.

“Most of them were not happy about the postponement.  Some had already paid for canopy and chairs to entertain guests during the convocation only for it to be postponed at the last minute,” he said.

Mark Olukoyejo, a graduating student of the Department of Guidance and Counselling Education, said many of his classmates, especially those participating in the Batch B Stream II of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp had spent a lot on convocation since they would be going to camp later.  He said the Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA) apologised for the suspension.

“People had spent a lot to make things work. The DSA apologised to us that they were very sorry for what happened; that if it inconvenienced us in any way we should please calm down,” he said.

A text to Dr. Babalakin’s phone seeking more clarification on the matter was not replied.  The Nation learnt that the Federal Ministry of Education has called the parties involved in the disagreement to a peace meeting in Abuja.

Perhaps, a new date will soon be fixed once the squabble is settled.