The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UNILAG

  • UNILAG alumni elect new executives

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Alumni Association, Lagos State chapter, will begin a new administration of two years with Dr Lukumon Adeoti as its new chairman.

    He won a landslide victory during the association’s AGM/election last Sunday. He polled 210 votes to Dr Yusuf Fassy’s 58, and Oladimeji Dipo’s 57 votes.

    Adeoti, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geophysics, said his  plans include: provision of scholarship opportunities for indigent and outstanding students; securing an office space for the alumni in Ikeja; encourage exchange programmes with local and international institutions, among others.

    He also said he would initiate UNILAG sports week and partner with the national executives if need arises.

    Meanwhile, the immediate past chairman, Dr Ayodele Ogunleye noted areas of concern the new boss should address.

    He proposed that the number of alumni members on the university governing council be raised to 10 in order to enable them play significant roles and contribute financially and otherwise to their alma mater; that the university admission ratio should be renegotiated to include 30 per cent of Alumni children; and a survey to see how alumni associations could assist in combating increasing drop-out rates in universities.

    He said: “One of the best ways that our universities can witness continuous growth and development is through involvement of the various alumni associations. In order to achieve this major role, both JAMB and the Federal Government should redefine the admission ratio to include 30 per cent of alumni children. By so doing, many alumni will be ready to contribute financially towards the overall development of their alma mater… The attachment has to be exploited for the good of the university and the continued development of products of such institutions.”

    He noted that his administration, which should have been four years of two tenures, was extended to five due to challenges faced by the association last year.

    Others elected executives are: Vice Chairman, Mr Samuel Anyamele; Secretary, Mr Olusegun Alimson who won unopposed; to be assisted by Mr Olayinka Shonubi; Treasurer, Mr Oluranti Ebun (Unopposed); Social secretary, Mr Taiwo Ajasa; Publicity secretary, Mrs Florence Okere; Internal auditor, Mrs Oluwabukola Ajibade; and Financial secretary, Mr Adedeji Olashore.

  • UNILAG students drag feet on indemnity form

    UNILAG students drag feet on indemnity form

    •Registrar: over 7,000 students have downloaded forms

    University of Lagos (UNILAG) was bustling with activities yesterday ahead of the institution’s resumption for academic activities on May 2.

    When The Nation visited the university yesterday, our reporter observed that only students with copies of the Undertaking, Indemnity and Re-absorption forms and their school identity cards were allowed into the campus.

    Many of those interviewed after they gained access, said they had not filled or submitted the forms.  They expressed fears that doing so would be used by the management to deprive them of their freedom of expression.

    Adebola Akinsola, a 300-Level student said: “To me it doesn’t seem right.  How will I reabsorb myself in a school I have been for three years? As for the students’ union, they have been dissolved so they can’t say anything.”

    Tunde Obaremi said: “We are still sceptical about it.  I have the form with me but I don’t think I am going to fill it. When you read the form thoroughly, it is only an illiterate that will fill such form because to me it doesn’t make sense.”

    However, the Registrar, Dr Taiwo Ipaye, said compliance level was high.  She told The Nation on phone that the average students were ready to resume.

    “Over 7,000 students had downloaded the forms between 9am yesterday (Monday) and 5pm today (Tuesday).   The students are complying.  I personally went round the campus and everywhere was calm.  The average students want to finish their studies and go; the trouble makers are less than 300,” she said.

    At a news conference attended by the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) and leaders of the suspended UNILAG Students’ Union (ULSU), held at the International Press Centre, Ogba, yesterday, President of the ULSU, Muhammed Olaniyan, expressed concern about the forms.

    He said the “peaceful protest” by the students on April 8, should not lead to the condition that all students sign re-absorption form before being allowed to resume.

    “Let us state unequivocally that no student was expelled, suspended or rusticated as a consequence of our peaceful protest. Hence, we find it shocking that the school management has decided to re-absorb/re-admit already matriculated students. We, therefore, reject the terms and conditions attached to our resumption… We advise those who have signed any of those documents to also make an affidavit stating clearly that they were made to sign the undertaking under duress to partake in the examination,” Olaniyan said.

    Olaniyan also said the suspension of the Students’ Union was unjust as the students’ representatives were deceptively coerced into appearing before a panel of inquiry, which took them off-guard.

    On his part, the National coordinator of the ERC, Taiwo Soweto said the suspension of the union, just two years after it was reinstated, showed arbitrariness and inconsistency on the part of the university.

    He called for a joint protest of the all Nigerian students against the act, saying it would be a disservice to the nation if graduates are churned out without the opportunity to engage in leadership acquisition through a vibrant students’ unionism.

    University of Lagos (UNILAG) was bustling with activities yesterday ahead of the institution’s resumption for academic activities on May 2.

    When The Nation visited the university yesterday, our reporter observed that only students with copies of the Undertaking, Indemnity and Re-absorption forms and their school identity cards were allowed into the campus.

    Many of those interviewed after they gained access, said they had not filled or submitted the forms.  They expressed fears that doing so would be used by the management to deprive them of their freedom of expression.

    Adebola Akinsola, a 300-Level student said: “To me it doesn’t seem right.  How will I reabsorb myself in a school I have been for three years? As for the students’ union, they have been dissolved so they can’t say anything.”

    Tunde Obaremi said: “We are still sceptical about it.  I have the form with me but I don’t think I am going to fill it. When you read the form thoroughly, it is only an illiterate that will fill such form because to me it doesn’t make sense.”

    However, the Registrar, Dr Taiwo Ipaye, said compliance level was high.  She told The Nation on phone that the average students were ready to resume.

    “Over 7,000 students had downloaded the forms between 9am yesterday (Monday) and 5pm today (Tuesday).   The students are complying.  I personally went round the campus and everywhere was calm.  The average students want to finish their studies and go; the trouble makers are less than 300,” she said.

    At a news conference attended by the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) and leaders of the suspended UNILAG Students’ Union (ULSU), held at the International Press Centre, Ogba, yesterday, President of the ULSU, Muhammed Olaniyan, expressed concern about the forms.

    He said the “peaceful protest” by the students on April 8, should not lead to the condition that all students sign re-absorption form before being allowed to resume.

    “Let us state unequivocally that no student was expelled, suspended or rusticated as a consequence of our peaceful protest. Hence, we find it shocking that the school management has decided to re-absorb/re-admit already matriculated students. We, therefore, reject the terms and conditions attached to our resumption… We advise those who have signed any of those documents to also make an affidavit stating clearly that they were made to sign the undertaking under duress to partake in the examination,” Olaniyan said.

    Olaniyan also said the suspension of the Students’ Union was unjust as the students’ representatives were deceptively coerced into appearing before a panel of inquiry, which took them off-guard.

    On his part, the National coordinator of the ERC, Taiwo Soweto said the suspension of the union, just two years after it was reinstated, showed arbitrariness and inconsistency on the part of the university.

    He called for a joint protest of the all Nigerian students against the act, saying it would be a disservice to the nation if graduates are churned out without the opportunity to engage in leadership acquisition through a vibrant students’ unionism.

  • UNILAG to re-open May 2

    UNILAG to re-open May 2

    The University of Lagos is to re-open for academic work on Monday, May2, 25 days after its students were sent home for protesting.

    Each returning student will, however, meet conditions stipulated by the institution’s authorities.

    These, according to the university’s spokesman, Mr. Toyin Adebule include completion of   the undertaking form.

    Parents and guardians are also to complete an indemnity form and the completed undertaking form notarised.

    Both documents will be submitted at the various departments and a clearance obtained while all students accommodated in the halls of residence are to obtain clearance from the departmental officer.

    The clearance must be presented at the halls of residence to gain access into the rooms from the day of re-opening.

    The clearance will also be required to gain access into examination halls on May 9 when examinations will commence.

    The forms can be downloaded from the university website and must be submitted on or before May 2.

    “Examination will commence from May 9. Consequently, students are expected to generate their examination dockets and ensure they are duly endorsed by their course advisers between Monday, April 25 and Monday, May 2,” Adedule said and warned that “ no student will be readmitted without completing the above process.”

    The university’s senate ordered the institution shut on April 7 following days of students’ protest on campus.

    The students were protesting poor electricity and water supply on the campus and accused the management of insensitivity to their plight.

  • Students stranded after UNILAG’s closure

    Students stranded after UNILAG’s closure

    Many University of Lagos (UNILAG) students have become stranded following the school’s closure last Friday.

    They do not have money to transport themselves home.

    They have been forced to squat with friends, hoping that the school will reopen soon.

    An executive member of Sodeinde Hall told The Nation that students never expected the school’s closure, but only wished to draw management’s attention to their plight.

    The student said: “The school sent us text messages to vacate school that Friday morning. My phone record showed that the message (to leave school) got to my phone around 6:30am but I woke up around 7:30am to see it, which meant I had less than three hours to vacate the school. But most of the people I know that stay on campus, including myself don’t live in Lagos State. I live in Adaamo, in Ogun State so it is not possible for me to suddenly pack up and go home within the stipulated time. I did not even have the money to go home so I am squatting with a friend at Sabo”.

    The students, he said, were forced to protest because of monopoly of Unilag ventures on ‘pure’ water, among others.

    “People believe Unilag boys and girls are big boys that pluck money on trees, but it is a lie. Most of us hustle for our school fees and feed ourselves in school. So when we could not find sachet water to drink, we had to be buying table water, which was much more expensive. Imagine, I bought garri (cassava) for N20 and sugar for N10. Normally, I would have bought N5 or N10 sachet water, but because there was no sachet water in the school, I had to buy N50 table water. What polynomial function would justify N30 garri and sugar with N50 table water? Unilag has this policy of monopoly of sachet water because we have Unilag ventures, but these people have been hoarding the sachet water intentionally because they want to be selling it at N10 to outsiders.”

    A 300 level mass communication student lamented what he called management’s injustice, especially the scaring of students with security operatives.

    The student, who is squatting with a friend at Bariga, said: “People were passing through the canal because of the ongoing panic to leave school. But we never wanted the school to be closed down. To show that we did not want the school shut, we started the protest on Wednesday, around 4:30pm, the normal time that all academic activities should have stopped for the day and the protest was very peaceful. But on Thursday, before we even started protesting, we could see so many police vans everywhere, as if we were fighting a war. We did not understand it, when all we wanted was for the VC to address us and show us that the university cared. On Friday, police vans were parading the school blaring sirens. That was what even woke me up, as if they were threatening us that if we do not leave, something would happen. The school gate had been locked by University of Lagos Student Union (ULSU) because as people were moving out that morning; hoodlums were already outside collecting people’s bags and properties. So it was not safe. So that is why we had to pass through the canal. Now, I am staying with a friend at Bariga, because I don’t have the money to go home.”

    However, a 400 level law student of Biobaku Hall, believed management did the right thing by sending students home.

    He said: “I feel management did the right thing ordering students to leave campus, because things were getting out of hand. Students were getting violent, fighting, forcing students that did not want to protest to come out of their hostels and join them. But it would have been the best for the VC to come out and address the students. That would have solved a lot of issues. I live at Akoka, so it was not difficult for me to go back home.”

    ULSU President, Muhammed Olaniyan has decried management’s “refusal” to listen to them until the union was able to address the issue.

    “What we were telling management was that they should look at issues concerning students and do something about it. We told the students not to leave school on Friday, but looking at the number of police and armoured tanks the school had deployed, we had to renege on our order, by telling the students to obey management’s directive. We are working hard to speak with management to ensure that students return to school as soon as possible,” he said.

    Dean, Students Affairs (DSA), Prof Tunde Babawale, said the Senate closed the school, adding that it will reopen it when it is time to do so.

    He said: “That is the consequence of their negative actions and there is nothing the university can do but to close, because the protest was degenerating into violence. Don’t forget, we did not shut down the university until the third day of their continuous protests. It started on Wednesday, continued on Thursday and even Friday. No responsible management will wait and see the degeneration of protests into a situation of violence and disruption of activities and allow it to continue, so the school had to take the necessary and rational step of bringing the situation under control by asking students to go home. It was not meant to harm them in anyway, it was meant to restore normalcy to the school. The school was closed down by the senate, so only the senate can say when it will be open. I am not in the position to know. Even the VC can’t know.”

  • UNILAG students bow to quit order

    UNILAG students bow to quit order

    After initial stand-off with the authrorities of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) over its directive that the protesting students should vacate campus, the students yesterday departed the school for their various homes.

    The students had appeared to be spoiling for showdown with the school’s authorities after the university had, at an emergency meeting on Thursday, ordered the school shut and directed the students to leave for their homes on account of “the ongoing agitation  of the student body over poor electricity  and water supply in the community, and the difficulty faced by large number of students living off campus to attend classes as a result of the fuel crisis.”

    The Senate added: “In order to forestall further breakdown of law and order on campus, all academic activities on campus are hereby suspended with immediate effect; the university is therefore closed with immediate effect.

    “No student should remain in the halls of residence after 10 am on Friday, 8th April, 2016; a decision to reopen for normal activities will be taken as soon as municipal services improve.”

    But the Students Union, in a counter statement, asked its members to ignore the ‘go home order’, and remain on the campus.

    The students’ body on its part dismissed the management’s order as inhuman as it exposed its members’ lives to risk.

    The leadership of the students however soft-pedalled after their initial resistance, flunging the gates open for the students to go home.

  • UNILAG shut down over students protest

    UNILAG shut down over students protest

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has suspended all academic activities indefinitely and directed all students to vacate the campus with immediate effect.

    A statement signed by the University management said no student should remain in the halls of residence after 10am on Friday.

    The directive was issued following a protest on lack of water, electricity and increased cost of coming to school to attend lectures by students on Thursday.

    The statement reads in part: “The Senate of the University of Lagos at an emergency meeting held on Thursday, 7th April, 2016, considered the situation on campus occasioned by the ongoing agitation of the student body over poor electricity and water supply in the community, and the difficulty faced by large number of students living off campus to attend classes as a result of the fuel crisis… However, in order to forestall further breakdown of Law and order on campus… All academic activities on campus are hereby suspended with immediate effect; the University is therefore closed with immediate effect; No student should remain in the halls of residence after 10am on Friday, 8th April, 2016; a decision to reopen for normal activities will be taken as soon as municipal services improve.”

    Meanwhile, the University Students Union has countered the Senate’s directive, ordering all students to remain on campus.

    A statement signed by the Students Union said management’s order was impromptu and has left students stranded with nowhere to go and in the mercy of hoodlums.

    It said: “It is unfortunate that despite priding itself as the University of First Choice and the nation’s pride, the University of Lagos Management cannot handle this simple issue. The Vice Chancellor has demonstrated his insouciance towards the welfarism of the students. Despite his availability on campus today, he refused to avail the students of his presence.

    “In light of this public display of irresponsibility, the Union wishes to state that:
    1) It is an inhumane move with a dastardly motive to demand the vacation of students from the University community. This is because it has got to the notice of the Union that certain hoodlums are around the school to waylay students who are trying to leave the school.

    2) Students who live in distant areas have confessed that they do not have transport fare to take them home. This is understandable as the notice for vacation just got to students this morning at about 6:30, leaving us with less than 4hrs to vacate.

    They (management) have displayed that they do not have the interest of the students at heart.

    Hence, we implore the students to stay in school so that they won’t be victims of circumstances. Hoodlums are everywhere and leaving the school now is dangerous.”

  • UNILAG shut over students protest

    UNILAG shut over students protest

    University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been shut indefinitely by the management.
    The decision was contained in a circular issued Friday morning in response to Thursday’s protest by students. The authorities ordered students to vacate their hostels before 10am.

    Following the closure, there is tension on the campus at the time of this report as Students’ Union Government (SUG) leaders asked students to stay back on campus on the excuse that students could not afford pay for commercial buses due to current fuel scarcity.
    The Nation learnt that the SUG’s directive was followed by the arrest of the union President, Mohammed Olaniyan, and the Public Relations Officer, Jumai Fagbui. They were whisked away by riot policemen invited by the management to ensure students comply with the school directive.
    The Union’s Speaker, Adeyanju Olaonipekun, confirmed the arrest of the SUG leaders.

    The management’s circular titled: Immediate Closure of University of Lagos, reads in part: “The Senate of the University of Lagos at an emergency meeting held on Thursday, April 7, 2016, considered the situation on campus occasioned by the ongoing agitation of the students’ body over poor electricity and water supply in the community, and the difficulty faced by large number of students living off campus to attend classes as a result of fuel crisis.

    “Senate noted that the problem of poor municipal services is a national issue that the governments at both state and federal level are addressing. In order to forestall breakdown of law and order on campus, all academic activities on campus are hereby suspended with immediate effect.”

    The statement added that no student should remain in the halls of residence after 10am today.”
    Already, students have started leaving the campus amid protest by adamant students in the hostels. Police vehicles are moving round the campus to put the situation under control.

  • No light, no exams, say UNILAG students

    No light, no exams, say UNILAG students

    University of Lagos (UNILAG) students continued yesterday their protest against lack of essential amenities, insisting on their provision before examinations begin on April 18.

    The protest, which started on Wednesday, is against poor water and unstable power supply.

    The students marched round the school, with green leaves, shouting and demanding the provision of those basic amenities.

    They barricaded the school gate; restricting vehicular movement.

    Police vehicles were stationed at the gate; one followed the protesters.

    In the hostels, many of the students including boys stood at the corridors, chanting war songs. They said the examination would not hold if the university failed to provide them light and water.

    A statement by the University of Lagos Students Union (ULSU) Public Relations Officer, Jumai Fabuyi, tagged: “Our reasons for the protest”, stated that the protest was necessitated as a result of the hike in the prices of commodities on campus, irregular sharing of power supply and the slow pace of renovation of Sodeinde hall.

    Jumai said the challenges faced by students are “affecting their mental capabilities.”

    Her words: “Yes we are aware the situation in the country is critical, but UNILAG students don’t have to pay for it. Commodities should be sold at the same price they are sold outside the university. Irregular sharing of power supply was as a result of two out of four generators functioning.”

    John Odediji, a 200 level student, said they were tired of complaining about these amenities.

    A Science student, Kemi Dada, said the protest would continue if the school refused to provide the amenities.

  • Protest in UNILAG over water, electricity

    Students of University of Lagos on Thursday  protests at against lack of water and electricity in their hostels.

    Academic activities were paralysed as the gate of the campus was shut  by the students.

  • UNILAG students protest against ‘epileptic’ power supply

    UNILAG students protest against ‘epileptic’ power supply

    UNIVERSITY of Lagos (UNILAG) students yesterday protested against the epileptic power supply, lack of water and the rise in pure water price on the campus.

    The action coincided with the protest of the Muslim  Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) against the deferment “till further notice” of the congress to review its bye-law.

    The protesters marched round the campus, complaining of an inconducive environment for learning.

    They said: “There is no water in any hostel as at this (yesterday) morning. Students that managed to take their bath were those that fetched water yesterday (Tuesday) or that had reserved water days before and to crown it all, there is no light”.

    The students marched in groups from the university gate to the Senate building, denying motorists access into the campus.

    The MSSN congress, which was held at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, was adjourned because the students refused to adopt the resolutions of the bye-law review committee.

    Addressing the students, the Dean of Students Affairs (DSA), represented by his Deputy, Dr Carol Ogbanika, said the school would prevent the association from being hijacked by staff and postgraduate students.

    He urged the students to set aside their personal interests for the progress and betterment of MSSN UNILAG.

    A staff adviser, Dr Ismail Musa, said the bye-law was flawed and as such it could not be used as the only reference for the new bye-law.

    But, the students refused to adopt the financial guideline which stated that the staff advisers should be the primary signatory to the association’s account.

    A student, Mukaila Tajudeen Akolade, faulted the call for the adoption of the school’s financial guidelines, noting that it has not been adopted by the University of Lagos Students Union (ULSU)

    He said the proposed financial guidelines is alien to the standard of the university management.

    Akolade said the former and current ULSU executives rejected the Staff Adviser being the principal signatory to the union’s account.

    “If the financial guidelines have not been adopted by the number one society in the school (ULSU), then where is the clamour for justice in relating it to that of MSSN? All former and present ULSU executives have rejected the role of the staff adviser as the principal signatory to their account,” he said.

    Another student, Chiwuzo Alexander, 400 level Economics Education, blamed the university for shifting the Congress till yesterday.

    The MSSN said it wanted its bye-law to conform with the MSSN  at National level, which is the parent body for all MSSN in the country.

    Since none of the resolutions in the first chapter of the bye-law was adopted and the students refused to move to the next chapter, the presiding officer adjourned the congress “till further notice”.

    Dissatisfied with the pronouncement, the students marched to the DSA’s office in protest

    At the DSA’s office, Ogbinaka said the students could not vote for new executives during the congress because the former executives were also not voted in.

    The students disagreed, saying the bye-law provided for two-third majority to vote in their executives.

    The Deputy Dean II, Dr Johnson Agunsoye, assured the students that the school would call for another stakeholders’ meeting on the students’ observation during the congress.