The Senate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), is currently meeting at the Main Auditorium to appoint a new acting Vice Chancellor for the institution.
The meeting held under a tight security provided by Policemen From Sabo Division of the Nigeria Police and the institution.
Recall that the Federal Government had earlier directed the varsity’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Wale Babalakin, and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, to recuse themselves from official duties, pending the outcome of the Special Visitation Panel set up by the President Muhammadu Buhari.
Also, the Acting. VC, Prof. Theophilus Soyombo, appointed by a governing council presided ober by Babalakin stepped down following the instruction by the Federal Government.
However, a mild drama ensued on Monday as some Senate members of the University of Lagos, who were to meet to nominate an acting Vice-Chancellor at the main auditorium were initially barred by a memo posted on the door of the auditorium.
The memo, signed by the Registrar, Oladejo Azeez, stated in part, “This is to inform all Senate members that no meeting of the Senate has been summoned, members should await proper notice of meeting after the Federal Government of Nigeria has clarified some issues germane to the meeting.
However, after a while, some workers opened the door to the main auditorium for the Senate members.
In a mail titled: “Notice to All Senate members”, Oladejjo Azeez, who has been an ally of the Governing Council chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin, said no meeting had been summoned.
Babalakin and the embattled VC the Council removed, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, were asked to recuse themselves from the affairs of the University until the Visitation panel set up to look into the university’s affairs concludes its investigation.
Oladejo’s mail reads: “This is to inform all Senate members that no meeting of the Senate has been summoned.
“Members should await proper Notice of Meeting after the Federal Government of Nigeria has clarified some issues germane to the meeting.”
The Registrar also signed a letter addressed to the Head, Auditorium Management Unit, J.J.F Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos and pasted around the main auditorium, venue of the Senate meeting, instructing the official not to make any facility available for the Senate meeting for the same reason.
It reads in part: “It follows that you are not make any of your facilities available for any meeting until otherwise advised.”
However, the Senate convened regardless.
A member of Senate (names withheld) told The Nation that Oladejo was not a member of the Senate.
“Oladejo is not a member of Senate. We are about to start in the Main Auditorium,” the source said.
The source said the Senate would vote one of the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola (DVC Development Services), or Prof. Ben Oghojafor (DVC Management Services) as Acting VC.
“Meeting is ongoing. We are waiting for ballot papers to vote for the Acting VC ie Prof Folasade Ogunsola and Prof Ben Oghojafor,” the source said.
