New Convocation Dates for University of Lagos: Jonathan Becomes Perplexed

With series of meetings and close door activities over the postponement of the heroic Golden Jubilee Convocation Ceremonies, the authority of the University of Lagos has set new dates for the ceremonies. The dates are 7^th, 8^th and 9^th of February, 2013. Presenting the dates to the President, the authority gave him alternatives of choosing either towards the tail end of January or early February and he chose the afforementioned dates.

The fiasco over the change of nomenclature from University of Lagos (UNILAG) to Moshood Abiola University (MAULAG) was buried with the rejection of the bill by the House of Representatives. With the throwing out of such move, the President has no other alternative than to accept that the institution must remain what it is, in deed and in truth.

The main headache of the Presidency is no longer to hold the convocation, it is now whether President Jonathan will attend or not. Information from a reliable source stated that the Presidency is really very worried over his attedance because of irate students. Out of the three days scheduled for the events, President Jonathan is likely to be present by the weekend when most activities have been concluded and students will be scanty.

The representative of the President while speaking to officials in the school downplayed the name-change saying it was just an honour for a virile Nigerian, Moshood Abiola, and that the President had no ulterior motive. The President himself was reported to have communicated such to the University after his defeat. The authority wants his presence so he can with his own mouth mention the University's name in deed and in truth.

The President was playing, malingering and meadering because he knew the University Council will soon be dissolved so his calculation was to use that as a medium of delay but the University authority took him back to history that the University had had a convocation ceremony without the Council in a known distant past and that still serve as a reference and precedent.

Two historical events will also be happening at the ceremonies, for the first time in the history of University of Lagos, the Vice Chancellor will be inaugurated. The known procedure before is for the VC to be elected and work begins but now, the precedent of official inauguration is to be laid. Moreso, the new Pro-chancellor of the University, Jerry Gana will be inaugurated. The events are specially constituted to honour the renowed, amiable and dedicated Vice Chancellor, Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Shofoluwe of blessed memory. The university still waits for the appointment of a new Chancellor after the demise of the erstwhile Chancellor, the Attah of Igala.

The defeat of the President over the change of nomenclature is a sign that reasoning backed up with action will go a long way in checkmating the nefarious and obnoxious activities of the worms called leaders in Nigeria nay Africa. All the citizens must do especially those in the academics is to stand and defend the future.