UNILAG Lecturers Protest, Demand Removal Of Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Wale Babalakin
Lecturers at the University of Lagos, Akoka have protested against the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Wale Babalakin, amid management disagreement which led to postponement of the 51st convocation ceremony of the institution.
The protesters, supported by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, UNILAG branch, marched round the school carrying placards and chanting slogans against the pro-chancellor to cal for his removal.
The protest followed a week of a renewed clash between the varsity management led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, and the governing council.
Ogundipe earlier announced that 13,489 graduating students would be conferred with degrees, diplomas, and certificates from March 9 to 13.
However, the National Universities Commission (NUC), in a memo, called for the suspension of the event.
NUC halted the programme after Babalakin complained to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, that the varsity council was sidelined from the convocation ceremonies.
UNILAG ASUU Chairman Dele Ashiru during the protest expressed they had reviewed the circumstances that led to the postponement of the convocation.
He claimed the reports obtained by the congress revealed Babalakin was dictatorial, hence they made a resolution to declare him a persona non grata (an unacceptable or unwelcome person).
Ashiru said;
After taking an analytical perspective of this unwarranted postponement, the congress noted the damaging activities of the pro-chancellor of this university. Beginning from today (Wednesday), Dr Olawale Bolanle Babalakin has been declared a persona non grata (an unacceptable or unwelcome person) in this university; he is not to be seen in the council chamber anymore.
He urged the lecturers to enforce the resolution, adding that any day Babalakin was seen at the institution, he should be thrown out.
A senior official of the varsity, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed a loyalist of Babalakin was sent out of the ASUU congress.
He said;
The congress held first before the protest. The (hall for the) congress was filled to capacity; everyone spoke with one voice, except one Daramola, who wanted to make excuses for him. He was chased out. Babalakin wants to run UNILAG like his law chambers.
The source added that;
Contrary to the claim of the council, there is evidence that the convocation was discussed during their meeting. UNILAG is number one now in Nigeria and 13th in Africa, the pro-chancellor is supposed to capitalize on that to move the school forward, instead of all these issues.
Babalakin allegedly told a Premium Times reporter that the union did not have the power to declare him a persona non grata (an unacceptable or unwelcome person).
While urging the protesters to direct their anger at the NUC, which cancelled the convocation, he said his actions followed by the laws governing the university.
