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Tag: Dr. Wale Babalakin

  • Babalakin: Varsities can’t continue to survive on govt largesse

    The Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), has said universities cannot continue to survive on government largesse, adding that they must learn to invest and improve on revenue generation.

    Speaking yesterday during the conferment of postgraduate and honorary degrees at UNILAG’s 50th Convocation Ceremony, the lawyer said Nigerians universities cannot continue to survive as” government departments expecting government largesse”.

    Babalakin said while there had been a raging battle on whether education should be funded by government alone or it should be funded by government and all stakeholders, his position was that quality education “is an inescapable necessity”.

    His words: “It is a must that we all have to be properly educated, so if government can afford to do it all on its own, so be it. But if government cannot afford it, then we all must join forces to do it. If the choice is between quality education and free education, I choose the former.”

    Citing examples of universities that have worked hard to be self-sufficient, Babalakin said: “Harvard University today has an average of $36b. Oxford and Cambridge Universities jointly have 22 Billion Pounds (about $30b). One College in Cambridge (Trinity College) has $1.3b. How did these universities achieve this? The founders of these universities realized that universities must invest, create value, save money and be productive.

    “Our universities cannot continue to survive as government departments expecting government largesse. We have to take advantage of what we’ve got. There are no less that 50 Nigerians today, who can rebuild UNILAG, but they have to know that their contributions would be used appropriately and they would be able to measure performance and monitor their money.

    “If you can assure them of these, then you will be on the road to rebuilding the university system in a manner that it can compete all over the world. There is nothing such as Nigerian education or Nigerian standard. Standard must be universal and world-wide.”

    Babalakin thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, for his “very keen interest and determination to reposition education in Nigeria”.

    He also thanked the Education Minister, Mallam Adamu Adamu, “whose commitment to the cause of repositioning the education system is unparalleled”; as well as the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Alhaji Abubakar Rasheed, who represented the president at the event.

    Urging the Ph.d graduates to see their degree as a pedestal for greater achievements, the pro-chancellor said: “I want you to be part of a great reformation of Nigeria. I want you to be instrumental to positive change. I want you to be developmental in your various fields and refuse to accept defeat. You are special members of the intelligentsia and you shouldn’t take it for granted.

    “I urge you to take the position of United States President John F. Kennedy when he came into power in 1959, that the torch had been passed to a new generation that will not be deterred by the frivolities and obstructions of the former. Let us decide that we’ll turn every stumbling block to a stepping stone for the attainment of greater heights.”

    Babalakin advised them to participate actively in activities of UNILAG’s Alumni Association, noting that “the greatest universities in the world have gotten to their peak largely because of great support from their alumni”.

    Honorary doctorate degrees were conferred on prominent lawyer, Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN); the General Overseer of Mountain & Fires Ministries, Pastor Daniel Olukoya; and Zenith bank Chairman Mr Jim Ovia.

    Also at the event were former Lagos State Deputy Governor Alhaja Lateefat Okunnu; Chief Adebutu Kessington; Lagos State Governor-Elect Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Osun State Deputy Governor Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; and Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, among others.

     

  • Don’t abandon Nigeria, Babalakin urges medical graduates

    The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), has advised the institution’s medical graduates to resist the temptation to travel abroad, urging them to stay back in Nigeria to reposition the medical sector.

    He gave the advice at the day two of the university’s weeklong 50th convocation.

    Babalakin, who congratulated the 3,643 graduates from eight faculties, urged them to carefully study the profiles of outstanding graduates of the university, who, despite their unrivalled professional excellence, returned to Nigeria and the university to render selfless services to their fatherland.

    His words: “Studying medicine at the University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, is particularly difficult and many of you have gone through the rigours of the various routes and are now graduates. It is tempting to see your qualifications as a stepping stone to escape out of Nigeria.

    “Please let escape from Nigeria be a second choice. Join in the crusade to reposition the Nigerian medical practice and profession. Let your qualification be an opportunity to reposition the College of Medicine. Your choice should be to make Nigeria attractive again.”

    The Pro-Chancellor hailed graduates from the institution’s Distance Learning Institute (DLI) for their doggedness in combining studying with work.

    Babalakin urged the 1,324 graduates from the part-time institute not to consider their certificates as a meal ticket but an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the development of the society.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, in his welcome address gave a breakdown of the graduates as 137 in Basic Medical Sciences, 294 in Clinical Sciences, 56 in Dental Sciences, 510 in Engineering and 272 in Law.

    Others according to the VC, are Management Sciences 954, Pharmacy 96 and Distance Learning Institute (DLI) 1324.

  • Babalakin eulogises ex-Total director Jegede

    The Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Wale Babalakin, has described a former Director of Total Plc, the late Chief Sunny Jegede, as “a humble man, who impacted many lives”.

    Babalakin spoke yesterday in Lagos when he led a delegation of Government College, Ibadan, Old Boys Association (GCIOBA) on a condolence visit to the deceased’s family home in Ikeja.

    The lawyer, who is the National President of GCIOBA, described the late Jegede as “an illustrious old boy, who helped a lot of GCI old boys”.

    Urging people to live purposeful and impactful lives, Babalakin said even though the late Jegede was GCIOBA’s President for only four years, he had so much impact that it seemed he was president for over 20 years.

    He added that he was always happy to be associated with the deceased, who was well respected and loved by everyone who knew him.

    The Social Secretary, GCIOBA, Lagos Chapter, Dr. Folarin Olowu, described the late Jegede as “a humble and hardworking philanthropist”.

    The First National Vice President, Tola Obembe, said: “Chief Jegede was the life of the party. He adds colour to any event he attends. He will drop everything to assist an old boy. He got me a placement for my Industrial Training at Total in 1986. He relates freely with people, irrespective of your age.”

    In attendance were Kola Olatunbosun; Prof. Ayo Ogunye and Wale Ajomale, among other GCI old boys.

    Jegede passed away on February 11.

  • UNILAG faults ASUU on Babalakin

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has faulted claims by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) about the Pro-Chancellor, Dr Wale Babalakin going beyond his powers.

    A statement signed by the university’s Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Mr Oladejo Azeez, noted that Babalakin was right in the actions he took in some specific instances that ASUU called him out on.

    One of them was the reinstatement of the Director of Sports, Dr Cecilia Arinze, who had been recommended for dismissal by the Senate of the university.

    The statement reads: “With reference to the reinstatement of the Director of Sports, please be informed that a member of staff of the institution forwarded a petition to the University Governing Council. This petition, like others of its kind, was reviewed and debated upon by members of the Council. It was discovered after careful deliberations that the University Senate had cleared the Director of Sports, Dr.Cecilia Arinze of nine  out of 11 allegations levelled against her.

    “Council also discovered that the 10th allegation against Dr. Arinze was frivolous and that the only one  remaining allegation was insufficient to dismiss a staff of the University who had put in 30 years of service. Based on the foregoing, council decided to clear the Director of Sports of the allegations levelled against her.”

    The statement also noted that Babalakin would not be the first Pro-Chancellor and chairman of Council to set up meetings with the Senate and other members of staff, noting that the late Deacon Gamaliel Onosode and Chief Afe Babalola both did so while they served in the same position.

    “A former Pro Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, held a meeting of such nature with members of the Senate when he was appointed Pro Chancellor of the Institution. The Minutes of Senate Meeting of that day serves as evidence that the allegation is untrue. Another former Pro Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Late Deacon Gamaliel Offoritsenere Onosode, also held a meeting with Senate members in the University Senate Chamber.

    “In conclusion, we want to place it on record that the Governing Council of the University of Lagos led by Dr Olawale Bolanle Babalakin, SAN, has consistently upheld laws and traditions of the University,” the statement reads.

  • ASUU stand-off: I stand by my decision- Babalakin

    The Federal Government/Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) 2009 Agreement Renegotiation Committee Chairman, Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN) on Tuesday said he stood by his insistence on quality, well- funded tertiary education in the country.

    Babalakin said it was partly because of his refusal to vary his decision that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) described him as a tyrant.

    Universities across the country are on strike following lingering funding issues.

    On December 9, ASUU members in UNILAG accused Babalakin, who is the Pro-chancellor of the institution, of overreaching his legal limit and trying to foster discord amongst UNILAG staff.

    But, according to Babalakin, the government requires over N2 trillion for several years to salvage the sector, a sum the lawyer said it may not have.

    He spoke in Lagos at the public presentation of ‘Criss-crossing law and jurisprudence‘, a festschrift in honour of ex University of Lagos (UNILAG) Vice Chancellor and Law professor, Prof Akindele Oyebode.

    A festschrift is a collection of writings published in honour of a scholar.

    It was organised by the UNILAG Faculty of Law.

    Babalakin said: “You must all have been following the battle for the resuscitation of education in Nigeria.

    “We have had the agreement of how it is to be achieved.

    “The unions believe that all the money must come from the Federal Government. We have made a calculation to reposition Nigerian education today and we require over N2trillion consistently for the next couple of years.

    “If the Government had N2trillion, please bring it but if they don’t have two trillion, don’t delay the resuscitation of the universities.”

    According to him, money must be found for education “from whatever source: public, private alumni money. All these monies must come together for us to fund university education.

    “This is the disagreement ASUU has with me and they variously described me as an oppressor, as a tyrant, and as a man determined to have his views.

    “If I am going to sacrifice because I insist that quality education must be had in Nigeria, that we must have good funding, that we must have the likes of Prof Akin Oyebode joining the universities all over again and having a full life in the university and achieving everything they set out to achieve, I stand charged, and I will stand by it.”

     

     

     

  • ASUU accuses Babalakin of sabotaging talks with FG

    The Kano Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday accused the chairman of the Federal Government Renegotiating Team, Dr. Wale Babalakin of masterminding the collapse of the 2017-2018 renegotiation between ASUU and the Federal Government.
     
    During a Press Conference at Bayero University Kano (BUK) ASUU secretariat, ASUU Zonal Coordinator, Mahmud Muhammad Lawan alleged that Dr.  Babalakin disregarded the cardinal principles of collective bargaining between ASUU and Federal Government.
     
    He stated that, “you may recall that renegotiation between our Union and the Federal Government team commenced in March, 2017 with a promise by the Minister of Education that the exercise is expected to be completed within six weeks.
     
    “Sadly, after more than sixteen months of fruitless negotiation, our union  had to pull out due to the unwarranted arrogance of the chairman of the Federal Government Renegotiation Team, in the person of Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN).
     
    “The chairman has deliberately disagreed the cardinal principles of collective bargaining. Delayed the process, relegated the other members of the FG team to the background and arrogated to himself the power of decision making in matters that should be collectively debated and agreed upon by the parties to the renegotiation.”
     
    He further lamented that, “for over sixteen months of negotiation, discussions have focused on funding with Babalakin insistence on the introduction of tuition regime and education Bank as a must for public Universities in Nigeria.”
     
    Lawan, however, described tuition regime and education Bank system as totally unacceptable, pointing out that, “according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, education is a right and a public good, therefore, Nigerian state has the responsibility to provide qualitative and sound education to its citizenry.”
    Alaafin
    Dr. Wale Babalakin
    The ASUU Zonal Coordinator accused Balalakin of substituting his views, “for those of the Renegotiating Committee, dismissed opposing proposals, and ignored substantive input by a joint Committee of both sides.
     
    “ASUU as a Union of intellectuals totally rejects the castration of the truncated renegotiation single-handedly by Dr. Wale Babalakin. The action of the chairman has led to palpable fear, anxiety and apprehension in the Nigerian Universities.”
     
    He said ASUU aligned itself with the clamour for new minimum wage for Nigerian workers, noting that, “the struggle for enhanced minimum wage has been on for several years. In fact, it is almost seven years since the last increase in 2011.
     
    “ASUU in solidarity with the umbrella body of the Nigerian workers will fully participate in every action taken to fight for enhanced wage and improved working conditions for workers because wealth is created by the worker.”