Ahead of the award of honorary degrees to former President Olusegun Obasanjo by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), Ogun State today, the Police command,

has beefed up security in the capital, Abeokuta, and around the campus.

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) will also receive the Doctor of Agriculture (Honouris Causa) as part of activities marking the 21st anniversary and 16th convocation of the institution.

The award, particularly to Obasanjo, has, however, been mired in controversy as members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the varsity kicked against it.

The union, which described the award as an affront on the entire academic community, said the former President did not deserve it. They argued that the former President did everything to destroy the education sector and during his eight-year tenure and military rule.

But the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Oluwafemi Balogun, on Wednesday faulted ASUU’s position, saying Obasanjo was qualified “by every standard” for the honorary award.

Balogun, who was appointed as VC by the Obasanjo administration, insisted that UNAAB would not be deterred by the internal opposition.

“If ASUU has any social problem with any of them, they should go and solve it elsewhere. With due respect, ASUU members are Senate members. To now go outside and start protesting amounts to protesting against yourself and rubbishing the integrity of the Senate, which we cannot associate with,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor added: “Chief Obasanjo is being awarded not for social reasons, not for political inclination. He is being awarded a degree as a major contributor to food security in Nigeria, in Africa, and by any standard, even globally. The Ota farm is known beyond the shores of this country and it has meaningfully contributed to the alleviation of starvation in the Third World .”

The next course of action by the ASUU members was not clear as at press time. The union’s officials could not also be reached for comments.

However, in what appeared to be a measure to contain ASUU, the Ogun State Police Command deployed its officers and men to ensure that the ceremony is without any hitch.

Speaking with the Saturday Compass on telephone yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the deployment of policemen to UNAAB for its anniversary and convocation ceremonies.

Adejobi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), denied that the deployment was in connection with threats by ASUU members.

According to him, it was normal for policemen to be deployed, especially when there is a high-profile event that would attract former Presidents, serving Governors and top government functionaries.

“Yes, we have deployed policemen for the UNAAB programme and this is normal. Our men are solidly on ground to ensure security and maintain law and order,” he stated.