* ASUU hails FG’s decision

The Federal government has directed the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos, Dr. Wale Babalakin, and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe to recuse themselves from official duties, pending the outcome of the special visitation panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The information was contained in a press statement issued by the spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Ben Goong.

Babalakin’s Governing Council had, on August 12, sacked Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor over alleged financial recklessness and abuse of office.

Ogundipe, however, rejected the Council’s decision, saying the University’s due process was not followed.

The University’s Senate, alumni association and labour unions also argued that due process was not followed in removing Ogundipe from office.

But Babalakin insisted that due process was followed in terminating Ogundipe’s appointment. They also appointed an acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Soyombo, for the institution.

Meanwhile, the UNILAG chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)has commended the Federal government for suspending Babalakin and Ogundipe from their official dcuties.

It said the decision is not only a welcome development but a courageous step.

The chairman of the branch, Dr Dele Ashiru, reportedly said that the Federal government’s decision would provide room for all the parties involved in the crisis, which had rocked the university in the last eight days, to present their cases before an independent panel constituted to investigate the matter.

“So our union,” he said, “appreciates the Federal government for this courageous step to halt Wale Babalakin’s shenanigan in UNILAG.”