Barring any last minute hitches, the Senate will today commence the debate on the amendment of the University of Lagos Act, which provides for the establishment of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), to pave the way for the change of name of the institution to Moshood Abiola University, Lagos (MAULAG).
During the last Democracy Day celebration on May 29, President Goodluck Jonathan announced the decision of the federal government to rename UNILAG after the acclaimed winner of the June 12 1993 presidential election, the late MKO Abiola.
However, the decision turned to be controversial with the students, academic faculties and alumni of the institution rejecting the change of name.
It soon became the subject of litigation, as the alumni association of the institution filed a suit against the name change ahead of Jonathan’s submission of an amendment bill to the National Assembly.
Irrespective, the president still sent the bill to the legislature to jumpstart the process for the change of name.
If the bill secures the support of the majority senators, it will pass through the second reading today after which it will be committed to the Senate Committee on Education for further legislation.
Last week, when THISDAY got a hint of the forthcoming debate on the bill, and asked the Senate Committee Chairman on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, about the amendment, he expressed ignorance about the bill, stating: “I will be surprised if anybody attempts to bring that bill to the chamber.”
Also, when THISDAY approached Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, on the matter, he also said he knew nothing about the bill.
However, the notice of Senate commitments for today showed that the bill would be debated.
JD:It would be stirring the hornet’s net if the the senate proceeds to debate the bill on the name change.given the denial of the two principal actors in this regard that they know nothing about it,one can only guess that it was either tabled in error or came up from an automated system.what one is sure of is that ultimately University of Lagos ill forever be Unilag!Great Akokites!
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