Alumni Association of Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has rejected Afe Babalola (SAN)’s call to immortalise the late former President Shehu Shagari by renaming the institution after him.In his tribute to the late former President, Babalola had urged the Federal Government to rename the institution after Shagari, but in a swift reaction, the Alumni resisted the call.

President of the FUTA Alumni Association Worldwide, Adesomoju Olaitan, who led other members of the association to a media briefing in Akure, rejected the idea of changing the institution’s name.

Also speaking on behalf of the branches in Europe, America and other parts of the world, he said FUTA was not the only institution established by the late Shagari when he was President between 1979 and 1983.

“FUTA is an established brand that is globally respected for technical innovations. FUTA has developed several domestic and international collaborations with other leading institutions.

“These advances and relationship would be marred in an identity crisis by changing its established brand name on the whims and caprices of an individual,” he stated.The group argued that previous name changes made to institutions for the purpose of immortalising great Nigerians have done a lot of harm, insisting that foreign institutions like Harvard and Oxford universities retain their names and were still globally respected.

An alumnus, Professor Yemisi Adefarusi, said: “FUTA is an identity, a legacy and it’s not just an alumni issue, but what affects the entire students of the institution. It is an embarrassment to us, a national and global embarrassment.” Adefarusi, who is one of the second set of graduates produced by the institution, noted that the change of name would do more harm than good to the university.

She explained that a good number of the over 100,000 FUTA graduates since inception were currently working with international organisations like UNESCO, WHO, UNO, UNICEF and others and would adversely affect their certificates and resumes.

However, the association advised the Federal Government to embark on other meaningful projects in the tertiary institution rather than rename it after the late President Shagari. “It should consider building a world class infrastructure like science laboratories, lecture theatres or any other infrastructure that will last for a long time in our alma mater, and name such after Shagari. “This will help resolve some of the challenges we have on our campus rather than compounding them with a change of name. Consequently, we plead with the Federal Government to allow the FUTA brand to remain for posterity and peace,” she added.

https://m.guardian.ng/news/renaming-futa-after-shagari-global-embarrassment-alumni-tell-afe-babalola/


Lalasticlala

Good alternative provided.

When obj dies, God forbid you will change that of ogun State to OBJ and when BAT dies you change LASU to BAT..

When you are over comfortable you talk anyhow like Afe Babalola..

Am in support of immortalising shagari's name with that of futa.


It should be changed coz this is one nigeria....anybody that is against this is against Nigerian unity.....


We have no other country but nigeria and shagari is nigeria former president.


It should be changed to his name....as fast as possible.

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Some of these our Southern leaders/prominent persons I did not hear of any suggestion from any northern quarter to rename any higher institution in the north after the late Ekwueme who was Shagari's VP. Even Afe himself did not suggest that so what is this madness now? Na dem carry one-Nigeria for head yet when time reach na our Southern children dem go send to go die for north in the name of federal security forces fighting boko haram.

Misplaced priorities.

They better not touch FUTMinna

They should change Lasu! Bola Tinubu will spearhead it

Yoruba people

Lalasticlala do the needful

mushystuff:
Some of these our Southern leaders/prominent persons...I did not hear of any suggestion from any northern quarter to rename any higher institution in the north after the late Ekwueme who was Shagari's VP. Even Afe himself did not suggest that so what is this madness now? Na dem carry one-Nigeria for head yet when time reach na our Southern children dem go send to go die for north in the name of federal security forces fighting boko haram.

A lot of this southern leaders/politicians are just so stupid and daft...

why don't they change the name of northern Universities.?

..This Bubu is a national mistake.. Just immortalizing every Tom,Dick,and Harry..first it was MKO, now Shagari!??
What did he achieve??

When will Ojukwu and Nnamdi Cownu be Honoured??

Chai!
Yoruba people who do una this thing?Even Fela Anikulapo Kuti on oversized pants is greater than shehu shagari.Fela song wey Julius Berger expatriates dey play and dance to.

You people should leave hausa alone,they are not your God!Of all the prominent omoluabis in South West,you want to name your University after a Notherner?!?It's disgraceful to say the least.

What about Dele Giwa?

Goo

.

From Futarian to Shagarian
Not bad

Yay! Today is my birthday.. Make una bless me today o. God go bless una. 3039110115 firstbank

wulipapi:
biggest embarassment.

Shut up, Buhari is not stupid

Babalola should change the name of his university to Shagari University

Why can't he asked them to rename ABUAD

Does it make sense to even name a Nigerian School after any politician? Does it? Any University in the country must have graduates that have done so well in their fields of endeavour and are hosting the flag of the school anywhere they go to.

What have the numerous politicians done for the schools if not to loot monies for developing the education sector?

Change University of Nigeria, Nsukka to Shehu Shagari University Nsukka! Make I run...

Nigerian government and useless moves. SMH

Has schools finished for oke oya?I mean in the north. Make dem no try am o, if na joke make dem stop am. They should name the presidential villa after him.



Seun please name nairaland after me, that is enemyofprogress.com