The Visitor to the University of Lagos, President Muhammadu Buhari, has set up a Special Visitation Panel to look into the crisis in the university and has directed the two protagonists in the imbroglio, Pro-Chancellor Wale Babalakin and Vice-Chancellor Toyin Ogundipe to step aside pending the outcome of the panel’s visitation.
The Visitor has also directed the university Senate to nominate one of their members to the Governing Council to be appointed acting Vice-Chancellor, pending report of visitation panel.
Vice-Chancellor
Pro-Chancellor
The Director, Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Education, Bem Goong, said yesterday that the Visitation Panel will look into the circumstances that led to the removal of Prof. Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor.
The seven-member panel is expected to submit recommendations to the President in two weeks.
Members of the panel are:
- Professor Tukur Sa’ad, former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna – Chairman
- Barrister Victor Onuohar
- Professor Ikenna Onyido
- Professor Ekanem Braids
- Professor Adamu K. Usman
- Chief Jimoh Bankole
- Barrister Grace Ekanem
Its terms of reference are:
- To review the report of the Governing Council’s sub-committee on the expenditure of University of Lagos since May 2017 and make appropriate recommendations after affording those indicted an opportunity to defend themselves.
- To examine the step taken by the Council leading to the removal of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and ascertain whether due process was followed as stipulated in the universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2003 and the principle of fair hearing adhered to.
- To determine whether the process (if any) leading to the appointment of the Ag. Vice-Chancellor for the university was consistent with the provisions of the enabling Act.
- To make appropriate recommendations, including sanctions, to all those found culpable by the special visitation team on the allegations contained in the report, as well as other subsequent actions arising from therefrom and to make any other recommendations that will assist the government to make decisions that will ensure peaceful, stable and efficient administration of the university.
- Government directs the Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of Council, Dr. B.O. Babalakin and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe to recuse themselves from official duties during the period of the visitation.
- Government also directs the Senate of the University of Lagos to immediately convene to nominate an acting Vice-Chancellor from amongst its members for confirmation by the Governing Council. He/she shall oversee the affairs of the university pending Government’s decision (s) on the Report of the Special Visitation Panel.
With the last point, the appointment of Professor Theophilus Soyombo, of the Faculty of Social Sciences at acting Vice-Chancellor by the Governing Council has been set aside.
The Special Visitation Panel will be inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, next Wednesday, 26th August 2020 in Abuja.
It will be recalled the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), had last Wednesday called on President Buhari as the Visitor to the university to set up a special visitation panel to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the events that led to Ogundipe’s removal.
ASUU’s National President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi said those found to have breached the rules in the ‘illegal removal’ of Ogundipe should be made to face the wrath of the law.
Unilag’s Governing Council chaired by Dr. Babalakin had sacked Professor Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor over what it called ‘financial misappropriation and abuse of office’. However, Ogundipe protested against his removal, saying due process was not followed and that he was not given opportunity to defend himself. He further filed a lawsuit to challenge the removal, but withdrew the suit yesterday, with his lawyer saying he took the action after consulting with stakeholders and supporters within and outside the university community.
The withdrawal, he said, was also to defer to the authority of the President as the Visitor of the university.
Many observers had expected the Visitor, the supervising Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission and the Chancellor of the University, Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi to wade into the crisis since it blew into the open in March, when the 2020 convocation had to be postponed because of disagreement between the two principal officers.
It is hoped that the special visitation panel will do a thorough job and make recommendations that will ensure that peace reigns in Unilag one again.
IMAGE CREDIT: education.gov.ng, unilag.edu.ng
Epa Ogie Eboigbe, veteran journalist, broadcaster and public affairs specialist writes on, and analyses current and historical issues with a ‘wise pen’.
