No one can change University of Lagos’s name, says Gowon
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.)
A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has assured members of the University of Lagos community that the name of the institution remains sacrosanct.
According to Gowon, nobody can change the name of the university.
He spoke on Tuesday in Lagos during the university’s 2012/2013 Batch A convocation where 36 of the 3,264 graduands passed out with first class degrees.
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He urged the graduating students to remain committed to the ideals of the institution, saying the university known for excellence has come to stay.
President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2012 Democracy Day had renamed the institution after the late winner of the 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola.
The name change attracted criticisms and litigation from many stakeholders before a court declared the President’s action as an illegality.
The university’s Chairman, Governing Council, Prof. Jerry Gana, during his inauguration in 2013, also said that the President had reversed the name change.
But addressing the graduands on Tuesday, Gowon urged them to build on the reputation of the university and maintain its good name.
The former visitor to the university said, “No one can change the name of the university. You must improve yourselves to the glory of God, the university and the country at large. Ensure that you build good reputation and maintain the good name of the university.”
He also enjoined them to endeavour to be self-employed in order to impact on humanity meaningfully.
Earlier, the UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello, had congratulated the graduating students on the successful completion of their studies.
He urged them to be good ambassadors of the university.
He said, “As you leave the four walls of this university, it is your responsibility to promote the good image of the university. Identify with your Alma Mater and contribute your widow’s mite to the development of the university.” (Punch)
