Let us always accord the dead honour. We do not know when, how and what will kill us when it is time. Give Levi Ajunuma his respect as a dead man. Allah says; Verily, the death from which you flee will surely meet you, then you will be sent back to (Allah), the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will tell you what you used to do."

"And we granted not to any human being immortality before you (O Muhammad), then if you die, would they live forever? Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us you will be returned."(Qur'an Al-Anbiyah 21:34-35
Let us pray for our own soul not to die the way Levi and his cohorts died. Also, let us write our names in Gold before death, so that people will not mock our demise. That is the lesson to be learn. Imam Luqman

[center]DOING THE RIGHT THING, AT THE WRONG TIME: IMPLICATIONS OF NAMING UNILAG AFTER MOSHOOD KASHIMAWO ABIOLA


Imam Luqman AbdurRaheem[/center]


All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the universe. May His peace and blessings be upon the noble Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), his faithful companions and dutiful followers till the end of time, amin.

I write as a stakeholder in Nigeria and as an alumnus of UNILAG with the intent to set the records straight on the implications of the recent pronouncement by the Federal Government naming or renaming University of Lagos as Moshood Abiola University, Lagos (MAUL) in honour of the indefatigable hero of democracy, our father, mentor and friend, MKO Abiola. There are two opposition groups in this matter, those opposing based on timing and those doubting the credentials of Abiola. To both, I reply that, by the powers vested on Mr President, as the Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he has the full right under the constitution to make such pronouncement. Emotion apart, the fact above presupposes that FGN owns, controls and funds UNILAG; and as the owner can name and rename the institution at will and based on exigency. However, before a true democrat embarks on such sensitive political task, the socio-economic and political implications in terms of timing, legal complications, ethical issues and public opinions should be pragmatically examined to forestall backlash. Alas! I don’t think that was done. In fact, the VC of the contentious institution just died. I am not sure before the man died, he had feeler of what was coming. Again, we are back to timing!

The naming was right because MKO deserves more than that, but why now? The first opposition group queried. The people in this category with several others who are non-aligned want deliverables of democracy on their tables as we speak, not rebranding of university to win credibility and sympathy from June 12 activists. They want jobs, food, stable electricity, cheap fuel, affordable university education, functional health-care, affordable drugs/medications, cheap accommodation, living wages, security of their lives & property, enabling environment for SMEs to thrive, prosecution of fuel cabals, good governance et cetera.

If I were in the shoe of Mr President, I would have sought public opinions on the matter via polls, robust meeting with stakeholders of the University, and consult objective technocrats before rushing to make a pronouncement, that back-fired as bitter rejection! The damage is already done; the next thing is to resolve the matter amicably. I belong to the group that queried now!!!!! It could have been done rightly with consultations, at another time.

More importantly, for those who queried the qualification of Abiola to be so honoured, I have the following fleshed narrative response extracted from books, TV documentaries and internet archives.

Alhaji (Chief) Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola often referred to as MKO was a popular Muslim, born into a poor family in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria on August 24, 1937. He received his elementary education at Baptist Boys' High School. His brilliance earned him a scholarship to attend the University of Glasgow, Scotland, where he received a degree in economics. He climbed to the top of several corporate ladders, building a political and financial empire. He bridged the gap between Northern Muslims and their brothers in the Southern Nigeria. On personal preference, which aligned with Islamic tradition, Abiola took four wives; Simibiat Atinuke Shoaga in 1960, Kudirat Olayinki Adeyemi in 1973, Adebisi Olawunmi Oshin in 1974, and Doyinsola (Doyin) Abiola Aboaba in 1981. Abiola's second wife, Kudirat, was murdered in the capital city of Lagos in 1996. His third wife, Doyin, ran a media outfit, owned by Abiola, until it was closed down. Abiola by the Grace of Allah amassed a fortune from various enterprises, including publishing, communications, manufacturing, shipping, transportation, and oil.

With his educational background in accounting, he assumed the position of deputy chief accountant at Lagos University Teaching Hospital from 1965 to 1967, and comptroller of Pfizer Products, Ltd. between 1967 and 1969. In 1969, he became the comptroller of International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT), Nigeria, Ltd., and rapidly rose to become vice president for ITT's Africa and Middle East branch. He was also chairman and chief executive officer of ITT Nigeria, Ltd. from 1972 through 1988. During this period Abiola founded and sat as chairman of Concord Press of Nigeria Ltd. and served as chief executive at Radio Communications Nigeria. While employed with ITT, he was frequently admonished by the general public due to the dreadful condition of the Nigerian telephone system. His adventure into entrepreneurship took him round the globe and enhanced his connection and popularity. His chains of businesses were visible in almost all parts of the world. He was a leading figure in the development of African sports and football in particular. Have we all forgotten Abiola Babes? No wonder he is generally regarded as a pillar of sports in Africa. Bashorun’s intellectual prowess and intellectual sagacity was never in doubt considering the positive roles he played in reshaping Nigerian economy. His generosity earned Abiola the nickname "Father Christmas" among the citizens of Nigeria. He donated lavishly to notable tertiary institutions in Nigeria, including University of Lagos (UNILAG). He took the controversial Yoruba warlord title, dreaded by all –Aare Onakakanfo (The Generalissimo of war).

Abiola's fortune was freely shared with Muslims, Christians and Freethinkers in Nigeria. He sent over 2,500 students through the university system as well as donating huge sums of money to charities and championing the cause of Islamic Madrasa and the Quránic events. He empowered many churches, Christian organisations including late Evangelist cum Musician Sonny Okosun, who wept at Abiola’s grave. Prior to the death of the latter, he released special album for the former title: La ilaha ila LLahu, Muhammadur Rasulullah (There is no other god, except Allah, Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah). This is unprecedented in Nigeria.

Abiola was considered an astute advocate of Shari’ah law in Nigeria without prejudice to the interest of non-Muslims, the stands, which he defended logically before the CAN and PFN. He reiterated that, he was seeking mandate on the platform of the Nigerian constitution, and had no intention open or secret to convert Nigeria into an Islamic State. During the interaction with the Christians, he venerated several times, the name Jesus Christ, saying peace be upon him. These rare feats demonstrated the dynamism, courage, patriotism and pragmatic qualities of Abiola, as one the best candidates for the post of President, that Nigeria never had. As a Muslim, I believe Allah knows best, man knows nothing. For years when he lived, the man carefully cultivated friends throughout the country, from East, North and West. He even had friends in the military! They denied him during the period of need.

Abiola lobbied the United States and several European nations in 1992, strategically and passionately demanding reparations for the enslavement of African people and recompense for the fortunes made in harvesting Africa's raw materials. This put him on the alert list of the West for advocating Reparation and Compensation. He was betrayed.

Abiola aspired selflessly to reposition Africa in general and Nigeria in particular by running for the presidency in 1993; he won, but the results of the election were annulled by the preceding military president Ibrahim Babangida. He was arrested, incarcerated in solitary prison and died under questionable circumstances. He was a Muslim and died valiantly as a Muslim, without compromising the mandate of governance given to him by Nigerians across faiths, creeds, and ideological leanings. He deserves the posthumous award, but the timing is wrong!! These are my reflections for my alma mater.

I recommend a peaceful resolution of the crisis as soon as possible because of the implications. I just discussed one, the timing, there other implications in law, even recognition outside the country, social contract issue for awarding students who chose UNILAG as desired institution certificates reflecting MAUL.

The lesson is that, there must be strict adherence to the principle of consultation (with stakeholders) and the effective use of public opinion in governance. May Allah, help Nigeria.