UNILAG beefs up security as Soyombo resumes

On Monday, security presence within and outside the University of Lagos Senate building and council office was beefed up as acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Omololu Soyombo, addresses workers of the university.

TopNaija recalls that the Governing Council of UNILAG led by Wale Babalakin, Pro-Chancellor had earlier sacked Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, accusing him of gross misconduct and acts of corruption.

Soyombo, solicited the support of the workers, adding that he had resumed effectively as the acting vice-chancellor. “I have resumed effectively as the VC and I hereby solicit the support of every member of staff, so we can work together and discharge our duties peacefully for the interest and progress of UNILAG,” he said.

Our correspondent, who visited UNILAG, observed large numbers of policemen around the Senate building and governing council office and they restricted movement in the areas.

According to a worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, policemen from the Apapa Division were deployed in the institution to maintain the peace.

However, some senior staff members, including a former Dean of Social Sciences, Prof. ‘Lai Olurode; and a member of the Senate, Prof. Ayo Olowe, in different statements, called for peace.

Olurode said, “Under the law which governs UNILAG, only the vice chancellor or anyone acting in that position can authorise a meeting of the Senate. To do anything otherwise is to act in defiance of the law.

“An acting vice chancellor has been appointed; he should be allowed to function in that capacity until a contrary pronouncement is issued. Prof. Omololu Soyombo is a man of peace and proven integrity. I have full confidence in his ability to resolve the current impasse in the university,” he said.

Reacting in a statement on Friday, the acting VC earlier said he accepted the position out of a sense of duty and in the interest of peace.

Soyombo said: “I wish to start by noting that this is a position of responsibility that was thrust upon me and which I accepted out of a sense of duty to our university.

“I see this as a call to service with the overall objective of fostering an atmosphere of peace for the normal university business of teaching, research and community service.

“This appointment is a definite step to resolve the impasse between the University Governing Council and Management in order to ensure a conducive atmosphere for normal university activities to continue to thrive.

“I know that opinions are divided on issues at stake and the steps taken so far to resolve the impasse. Our paramount goal should be an amicable resolution of all the issues and to win back the peace and stability of our University.”