The
Moshood abiola University, Akoka today resumed academic activities after a two weeks
break. The institution was shut down over students’ the protests that greeted
the change of its name from University of Lagos Akoka by President Goodluck
Jonathan on May 29th 2012.
According to a statement from the information
unit of the university and signed by Mr. Wale Olasunmade then, the management
said it reviewed the suspension of
academic activities and considered postponing them for two weeks, to allow the
tension on the campus to calm down completely.
“The university’s Senate at its
emergency meeting then resolved that all academic activities should resume on
Monday, June, 18, and accordingly, the halls of residence will be reopened on
Sunday, June 17, 2012 at 4pm,” the statement read.
The management, however, affirmed its
position against the name change, saying the pronouncement cannot be binding on
the university.
“The University Senate also resolved
that the proposed re-naming of the University of Lagos is not acceptable and is
rejected in its entirety as it is a mere declaration of intention with no legal
effect. The Senate, therefore, supports all legal processes being carried out
by all stakeholders on the subject,” the management said.
When
CKN Nigeria correspondents visited the institution at about 9.05am this morning,
it was business as usual as students and lecturers were seen moving to lecture
halls signally commencement of lectures.
Most
of the students were also seen at their halls of residence like new men hall,Jaja
,Marere,Moremi,Queen Amina etc.
They
students were seen discussing in twos and threes.
When
we sought the opinion of some of them on the school resumption and change of
name,Sola of the department of Business
Administration said she was happy to be back in school .She said she is
indifferent to the name change.
Kwami
Osei another final year student of the institution said there is nothing they
can do about the name change, since it was a federal government decision.
But
his ascertion defers from the response of Ngozi Okoli ,a third year student of
the Faculty of Science who felt the name change would diminish their status in
the labour market..According to her, the UNILAG “swagger” as she termed it has
been dealt a fatal blow, and she is calling on the Federal government to rescind
the decision.
It
is yet to be seen how the Students Union government, Alumni association and
senate of the institution will react to the name change in the days ahead.
But
for now, its business as usual at MAULAG/UNILAG..CKN