Senate Opens Debate To Rename UNILAG Moshood Abiola University

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.

The Senate also Tuesday approved the establishment of nine federal universities by the federal government in 2010.

The approval followed the presentation of the reports of the Senate Committee on Education on the bills establishing the institutions.

The nine universities are Federal University of Lokoja; Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo; Federal University, Otuoke; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Federal University, Dutse; Federal University, Wukari; Federal University, Dutsin-ma; Federal University, Kashere; and Federal University, Lafia.

The Senate also approved the establishment of University of Uyo.
Senate President, Senator David Mark, while affirming the approval, advised the federal government to adequately fund the institutions so that they could live up to their responsibilities.

“Hopefully, these universities will now take off properly and we hope they will be properly funded so that students and graduates from there will be recognised,” Mark prayed.

In addition, Jonathan asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of Adesoji Olaoba-Efuntayo as the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Olaoba-Efuntayo, if confirmed, will represent the South-west in the commission.
The president also sought confirmation for four other members of the commission from the four geo-political zones of the country.

Other nominees to the commission are Uwasonba Udochukwu (South-east), Emmanuel Ibitolu (North-central), Michael Ebong (South-south) and Ismaila Mohammed Dukku (North-east).

In a letter addressed to the senate president, Jonathan cited Sections 2(3) of the EFCC Act 2004, which he said empowers him to appoint the nominees.

He also sought the Senate’s confirmation for members of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) in accordance with Section 154 sub-section 1 and 3 and paragraph 12 (e) of the 1999 Constitution.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/senate-opens-debate-to-rename-unilag-moshood-abiola-university/145796/

From what I can read these days, GEJ is working but the media is simply misinforming and misleading some of us with their agenda setting editorial policies.

Why debating again, they said they don't want the nomenclature!

Better they give the name to Federal university Oye Ekiti if it is a must to honour M.K.O Abiola with a school!

Tought dis is dead n buried. MUALAG again. Ohh I 4got daz where d NSCDC chief , my oga at d top, Shem graduated frm. Maybe they feel his misdemeanor has caused d institution some embarrassment n somtin need to be done. See wetin Shem has caused naw.

Keneking: From what I can read these days, GEJ is working but the media is simply misinforming and misleading some of us with their agenda setting editorial policies.

are u okay?
Are the senates not tryin to clean jonathan's unwiped asss?

Keneking: From what I can read these days, GEJ is working but the media is simply misinforming and misleading some of us with their agenda setting editorial policies.

i'm i missing something pls point out where d report said anyting about gej achievement or does changing name of a university happens to be an achievement or wtf are u saying,let him provide equipment needed for learning in d school and not concern himself with useless renaming of unilag which does not affects d school profile.talk about misplaced priority

How can this be a priority while the PIB remains unpassed?

this people again. we are ready for them bring it on

Thank god am on first page for the first time in history

Why is Jonathan this stubborn?
Why are they wasting time on something that'll NEVER materialise?...as in NEVER EVER materialise!!
#siddon look mode#

I thought it was a forgotten issue...these senators should focus on more pressing issues than waste valuable time on this needless matter! Oshi

hmmmmmmm following

They won't leave UNILAG alone.Wetin we do una?

any1 wit HTC DESIRE HD for sale shud pls snd me his numba....Okworigeorge@gmail.com

Why is the federal government hell bent on renaming UNILAG to MAULAG.Is this a personal agenda of one of the godfathers in Nigeria.Maybe an alumnus of UNILAG has insulted him and bragged about where he finished from and the godfather promised him that he will reduce that his shakara by changing the name of his alma mater to MAULAG.

Keneking: From what I can read these days, GEJ is working but the media is simply misinforming and misleading some of us with their agenda setting editorial policies.

Nawa 4 u o, hw is GEJ achievements related to dis news. Besides is he nt d incumbent president, he hs control over evrytin including d media. GEJ hs nothin to do again datz y he is fighting over common name wt d masses. Der r up to ten new universities wtout name, if he is sincere enuf, he cn name any of dem afta MKO.GEJ is as clueless as ever.

MAULAG HAS COME TO STAY TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT
I JUST HOPE DY WON'T CHANGE MY SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN
THE FIRST AND THE BEST

UNILAG is under fire...

We no go gree ooo we no go gree, the FG should bring it on We're ready to march to Aso rock this time around, when there are other important things to do, the man no do am he sha wan spoil ma SWAG..........

PROUDLY AKOKITE

This F.G no dey hear word... If I hear say we gree, this time around na bombing tins, maybe part of our amnesty program will be restoring the name... Hehehehehe...m yeye people... If u are an akokite, like this post

This administration seems more ruthless than any previous one in the country! At this rate, they will silence any form of opposition, overtly or covertly and will use Uncle Okups to finish the job!

Please what is MKO Abiola?

what about d federal colleges of education? when will dey approve d bill for them to become universities?

This MAULAG issue brings again to d fore d fact dt Gej's govt is a very divisive one (a govt of divide & rule). The primary aim of Gej in renaming Unilag after d great MKO is simply to divide d south west,...MKO's family,friends & supporters on one side,and d general public who feels there is something nostalgic,Behind,and classy about d name Unilag on d other side.
If Gej truly agrees dt MKO is deserving of National honour then he shud name University of Abuja after MKO,...he cud as well rename the National Stadium Abuja "MKO ABIOLA NATIONAL STADIUM". Truth is,Gej is simply playing politics,....he doesn't mean to honour MKO and every objective Nigerian knows dt.

Stupid people wasting time when there are more pressing issues.

They can change it to Chinua Achebe University and we will be happy.

Frankie9ice: This MAULAG issue brings again to d fore d fact dt Gej's govt is a very divisive one (a govt of divide & rule). The primary aim of Gej in renaming Unilag after d great MKO is simply to divide d south west,...MKO's family,friends & supporters on one side,and d general public who feels there is something nostalgic,Behind,and classy about d name Unilag on d other side.
If Gej truly agrees dt MKO is deserving of National honour then he shud name University of Abuja after MKO,...he cud as well rename the National Stadium Abuja "MKO ABIOLA NATIONAL STADIUM". Truth is,Gej is simply playing politics,....he doesn't mean to honour MKO and every objective Nigerian knows dt.

You know how it is that "illiterates" always say "What is special about being educated"?

That is the problem with GEJ!
He has a deep Inferiority Complex to Unilag Graduates!
With all the current problems in Nigeria, his "fixation" is on UNILAG! Wetin?

Can someone tell him that he can still write JAMB as there is no age limit?
Moreover, his "Thought process, I.Q. and Actions" has exposed him as not worthy of that PhD degree he appends to his name (Maybe he got it from MAULAG! ).

Let him enrol at UNILAG (if he can pass JAMB o! ) and we will "school him properly" .....
.....To be a GREAT AKOKITE!

Nothing do you Jona, keep making a public mess of yourself.

Lastpage! (Proud Akokite Alumni of the 80's!)

Why is goodluck so desperate and hell bent on changing the name to maulag,i think theres more to this than they are telling us,he is acting as if his life depends on changing the name,i tire ooo

This Gej dey really fall my hand o. why not name ASO ROCK VILLA AFTER MKO. MKO ABIOLA PRESIDENTIAL VILLA. simple !

like if you agree

Tolexander: Why debating again, they said they don't want the nomenclature!

Better they give the name to Federal university Oye Ekiti if it is a must to honour M.K.O Abiola with a school!

lmao....dude i love ur pm,no one can b more apt & precise in describing nairaland