The embattled Pro- Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Wale Babalakin has resigned his position as UNILAG’s Governing Council Chairman
His resignation is coming on the back heel of the visitation panel reports sent to the university by the Federal Government which was not favourable to Babalakin.
The Federal Government had in the ‘heat’ of the imbroglio intervened, by replacing with media mogul and Chairman of Channels TV, John Momoh.
Babalakin’s letter of resignation was addressed to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, and copied to President Muhammadu Buhari.
He appreciated the President for presenting him with the opportunity to serve as the Pro- Chancellor of UNILAG for three years.
The erstwhile Pro-Chancellor reiterated that all the federal government representatives who are independent members on the governing council voted for the removal of Oluwatoyin Ogundipe
He also faulted the terms and reference of the committee, while alleging that they were set to achieve a predetermined agenda.
“How can a committee of Vice-Chancellors, determine the culpability or otherwise of the actions of a Pro-Chancellor and a Governing Council?
“On the face of it, it is simply wrong! Furthermore, the Vice-Chancellors on the panel were drawn from relatively smaller universities who are not likely to have a comprehensive understanding of the procedure contained in the University of Lagos Act (as amended).
“Even Vice-Chancellor of state universities were included. As Chairman of the Federal Government Negotiation Team, I know the challenges faced with administration of state universities. I only appeared before the Panel out of my very great respect for you, Sir. My training as a lawyer revealed to me clearly, that the Panel was inappropriate for the assignment.
“During my appearance, I made it very clear that I was appearing in protest and the Panel, as constituted, could not determine the issues before it. The active participation of the staff of the Ministry of Education in the Panel and their contributions throughout the sittings especially hounding of witnesses who came to testify against the Vice-Chancellor was enough to show very clearly that the technocrats in the ministry had a defined agenda.”
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the Chairman, Governing Council of UNILAG, Wale Babalakin and Vice-Chancellor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, to step aside pending the outcome of the Special Visitation Panel sent by the federal government to to investigate the matter.
