We’ll implement presidential directive on UNILAG - NUC

•As knocks, kudos continue to trail govt’s decision
•Parents’ forum wants decision reversed
•Sofoluwe, UNILAG VC, buried
•Students take protest to funeral service

THE Executive Secretary (ES) of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, has decried the tendency of university students in the country to react to everything these days,

following the protest of students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) over the renaming of the institution as Moshood Abiola University, Lagos.

He told State House correspondents in a chat in Abuja, on Thursday, that since President Goodluck Jonathan as the Visitor to the institution had changed its name, it was left for the appropriate government agencies to implement the directive.

Professor Okojie noted that what the president did was not strange, as other institutions had similarly been renamed in the past, saying, “We are familiar with these issues. I have been in the university system for this long. I speak as Executive Secretary of NUC and a regulator of universities.

“We have heard Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University) changed in 1987. We have heard University of Sokoto now Uthman Dan Fodio; we have heard Yola, Modibbo Adamawa; we have Nnamdi Azikiwe which was University of Awka before. This is about the seventh.

“The president had announced that we want to honour Abiola on Democracy Day which everybody thinks is in order.

“There is nothing you do in the university system these days that students won’t react to, whether it is increase of fees or what have you. The president has given a directive; the rest is for us to follow the implementation.”

The NUC boss also dispelled insinuations that there was no consultation before the decision to change the name was reached but added that the necessary steps would be taken before it would take effect.

He noted that it was not possible for President Jonathan to have acted alone on the matter, revealing that as in the case of the establishment of nine new federal universities, a committee had worked on the honouring of the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, with renaming of UNILAG after him.

“Even matters of nine new universities, from the scratch I know the committee that worked on it. Jonathan is the most engaging president, he is very accessible, I can tell you that. That he didn’t consult will not be true,” he said.

Reacting in particular to the suggestion that the governing council of the school was not consulted, Professor Okojie said “the president has never said there is no due process, he has not said we should go and pull down the billboard of University of Lagos today and put Moshood Abiola. He is a man who believes in due process and he won’t do anything out of the ordinary.”

In another development, the remains of the late vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Adetokunbo Sofo-luwe, were lowered into the grave at 1.30 p.m at the Ikoyi Vaults and Garden, on Thursday, amidst emotions by wife, Funmi and other relatives.

The interment was accompanied by tight security, following the plan of the riotous students of the university to move the protest against the re-naming of the institution to the late vice chancellor’s burial.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of the student-protesters had invaded the All Saints Church, Montgomery, Yaba, to honour the dead vice chancellor and also used the occasion to call on the Federal Government to rescind its decision on the renaming of the institution.

The students defied the downpour in Yaba, which began shortly after the funeral service, to echo their grievances against the new name, Moshood Abiola University, stating that they had stormed the church as part of the procession to see off the late vice chancellor.

Addressing the crowd outside the church, spokesman for the students said the two-week compulsory holiday imposed by the university management would not stop them from expressing their minds.

According to him, the closure of the university by the management was an indication that it was ready to compromise with the government.

In his sermon, the Diocesan Bishop of the church, Reverend Adebayo Akinde described the late Sofoluwe as a friend that he would miss so much.

Meanwhile, the University of Lagos Parent’s Forum has kicked against the re-naming of the institution.

In a statement jointly signed by its chairman, Mr B. B. Majekodunmi and the general secretary, Mrs Victoria Osinuga, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, the forum said the change of name took it by surprise, adding that it was a decision to satisfy some people who were not happy with the President Jonathan-led administration.

According to the forum, the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola was a champion of democracy and worth immortalising, adding, however, that changing the name of the university was uncalled for, because the name, University of Lagos was not a social identity but a brand identity.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/41879-well-implement-presidential-directive-on-unilag-nuc-as-knocks-kudos-continue-to-trail-govts-decision-parents-forum-wants-decision-reversed-sofoluwe-unilag-vc-buried-students-take-protest-to-funeral-service

the comment from okojie is as dumb as the decision taken by GEJ. that you are used to a thing does not make it right or unquestionable

just imagine what will happen to hp and apple if their names are changed. the same thing that happened to IBM

anywayz, wait for beaf and cooger

One other leadership attribute attributed to GEJ- Accessible. I guess thats why people run their mouth. They've taken this positive attribute for granted

Hahaaaahaaaaaa! Serves those arrogant Akokites right!
No more swaagggg!

*dancing on UNILAG's carcass*
Zamina mina hoo hoo!
Waka waka hmhmhmm!

aguiyi: the comment from okojie is as dumb as the decision taken by GEJ. that you are used to a thing does not make it right or unquestionable

just imagine what will happen to hp and apple if their names are changed. the same thing that happened to IBM

anywayz, wait for beaf and cooger

You people hate hearing the truth, thats the real problem, bro.
The name has been changed in the same way other name changes have been carried out. Bear in mind that it was the regulator of universities speaking and reeling out examples.
When I argued that the so-called unilag act had little bearing on the change to MAULAG (being long since superceded by a raft of new laws), many argued otherwise; well, here is the regulator basically telling you what I said.

@Odunnu
Long time no see, how ya side?

Ejiné: Hahaaaahaaaaaa! Serves those arrogant Akokites right!


*dancing on UNILAG's carcass*
Zamina mina hoo hoo!
Waka waka hmhmhmm!

I like that "zamina mina" part

MAUlag finally incorporated. . .pop champagne !

Why do they keep referring to Abiola as the "presumed winner" he won the election fair and square, he was the winner.

Not when the case is in court

Do these rulers even respect the rule of law?

If una like make una protest for 2years, there will be no going back on the name change. I have spoken

UNILAG Now MAULAG.,well there's no point on protesting. seems some studends are rushing to that university because of it's classic Name. Hmm, I think GEJ, while seeking for favour and popularity has now met hatred and condemisation

That name will never change. Mark my words. For the people talking about swag, it is not about the swag, it is about mixing politics with education, besides, why is it that our university are named after politicians and not scientists or other achievers like Gani fawehinmi who fought for the masses, was harrased bx the govt and suffered for the country till he died.

the okojie guy is a Malu!

OAM4J:
“There is nothing you do in the university system these days that students won’t react to, whether it is increase of fees or what have you. The president has given a directive; the rest is for us to follow the implementation.”

When you see statements like the above, it defines the mentality of leaders in Nigeria. It tells you these people do not understand the psyche of the generations coming after them. They are a very selfish bunch. If you knew "there is nothing you do in the university system these days that students won't react to", then what did you do to hear their voices before making a rubbish of M.K.Os name with this controversy. These people need to start having their heads examined sincerely. The students are only acting their age. If Okojie does not see this then why the hell is in charge of the NUC.

why are the protesting about dis change of name?, abi dat wan go stop dem from to graduate.

Who is talking about rule of law? What does section 15 of the UNILAG ACT say about the discretionary power of the visitor of the university? Pple should read the Act first b4 opening their mouth to condemn the President.

Ejiné: Hahaaaahaaaaaa! Serves those arrogant Akokites right!
No more swaagggg!

*dancing on UNILAG's carcass*
Zamina mina hoo hoo!
Waka waka hmhmhmm!

peeing ma pant laughing

so, no going back. Unilag turns to historical name. Na wa o. MAU has no difference to student & school future. Name was change but stagnancy and deterioration in education continue.

Why exaclty are students of former unilag protestin †ЂΞ name change by GEJ? ₪O one shud τ̲̅ε̅ll ♍ε̲̣̣̣̥ abt consultations because even sch mgt dnt consult SUG wen takin decision I̶̲̥̅̊n our uni dis days jor. Or Is it because GEJ Is a simple man?

It is an irony that we often times look the truth in the face and turn blind eye to it. This is certainly a wrong way of doing the right thing. and for those who insists on asking what is a name, there is everything in it,except of course in nigeria where scant attention is paid to details. you cannot rename NTA as ANT even if both represent the same initials, or SSANU as ANUSS. MAUL? Mauling what? in the same country where a minister said it is wrong to refer to nigeria as naija? and why sectionalise the whole Abiola idea anyway, if i may ask? what is wrong in renaming the national stadium, eagle square or federal secretariat after Abiola.GEJ should do the right thing and honour abiola properly.Okogie is just protecting his Job!

kutchs: Who is talking about rule of law? What does section 15 of the UNILAG ACT say about the discretionary power of the visitor of the university? Pple should read the Act first b4 opening their mouth to condemn the President.

Pls tell us where it is stated that his discretionary powers include changing the name of the institution.

I dnt knw wat d beef is all abt.see,dis shud concern all nigerians weather u attend(ed) unilag or nt.there re sometins u dear nt touch.unilag remains a pride of d country anywhere in d world.
Why do u tink some people call all soft drinks coke,or call all sausage rolls galla,or call all toothpaste macClean,or all noodles indomie.this is because these names re brands.just imagine wat wil happen if d name cocacola were changed.
Wen ife was changed to OAU,it wasn't as branded as dis,same wit other changed institutions.
UNN wud ve been named after Nnamdi Azikwe bt dey rejected it.
The speaker said students protest against everytin(nd shamelessly included protest against increase in skul fees).he forgot dat d protest during their time was just because the wings of a full chicken which dey get for free as daily meals were removed.SMH

ifeci: the okojie guy is a Malu!

Nah, he's a MAULAG!

Unilag na Chelsea n those who support the change of name are other clubs supporters. Just imagine say they change Chelsea FC name what will be the new name? Make somebody help me.

Ola one:
I like that "zamina mina" part

hahahahahahaha my bele o waka waka lei lei oga die o hahahahaha.no more wer do u skol am an ako...ki...teee hahahaha

After all is said and done, nigeria still remains the country that we were all born to know as the only place in the world where wrong deeds are generally accepted as right.

ikee: UNILAG Now MAULAG.,well there's no point on protesting. seems some studends are rushing to that university because of it's classic Name. Hmm, I think GEJ, while seeking for favour and popularity has now met hatred and condemisation

I like the part 'while seeking for favour and popularity has now met hatred and condemnation'.He only played politics with renaming that institution.Students make una go chill o,Oga Jona no go reverse dis one o

[img]http://www.50centloseweight.com[/img]Nice work!

Reacting in particular to the suggestion that the governing council of the school was not consulted, Professor Okojie said “the president has never said there is no due process, he has not said we should go and pull down the billboard of University of Lagos today and put Moshood Abiola. He is a man who believes in due process and he won’t do anything out of the ordinary.”

This statement is a tacit admission that due process is YET to be followed meaning UNILAG remains untill the appropriate procedure is followed. Therefore, atleast for the time being, there is nothing like MAULAG.

pple are saying unilag na brand name do we need d brand name or the quality of graduate dey produce to me d president do nt have d right to consult anybodyb4 the name is change cos d govt is the financer of the school and the owner so the govt decision over rule any decision

nawawo.were d babes & guys both ajepako & ajebutter of MAUlag formerly UNIlag..?no more efizy says GEJ.mek una adjust bear dis name na.d bobo ask d babe were do u skul,she says MAUlag.d guy say na garage.lyk moluwe sound mau mau mau mau mau laggggg.because 'em giv una admission una get liver 2 protest.una beta adjust graduate b4 FG closed down d skul turn am 2 poultry abi zoo...lol