The Federal Government has appointed the Chairman and CEO of Channels TV, John Momoh, as acting chairman of the governing council of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government last week directed the varsity’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, 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.
Momoh, who is the president of the institution’s alumni association, has been a member of the council representing the association.
His appointment follows the removal of lawyer and businessman, Wale Babalakin, from the position over the leadership crisis in the university.
In a letter addressed to the ace broadcaster dated August 21, 2020, and signed by the permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, Momoh was directed to convene an emergency meeting of the council to “consider and, if found suitable, approve the senate nomination of the acting Vice-Chancellor for University of Lagos, in line with the enabling Act.”
The letter which is referenced; FME/PS/606/C.I/III/129, is titled; “Emergency Meeting of the Governing Council of University of Lagos.”
It further reads in part;
You are to preside at the meeting in the absence of the substantive pro-chancellor/chairman of council who has had to recuse himself in line with the visitor’s directive. You are to also submit a report on the decision of the council to the visitor through the honourable minister of education immediately thereafter.
It would be recalled that UNILAG Senate on August 24 nominated Professor Folasade Ogunsola as acting Vice Chancellor, following Federal Government’s directive to nominate one amongst its members.
According to PremiumTimes, the emergency governing council meeting will hold today (Tuesday) ahead of Wednesday’s planned inauguration of the visitation panel to the university, which was set up by the visitor, President Muhammadu Buhari.
The panel is expected to review the controversies rocking the university, including a report that indicted the former vice-chancellor, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, of “financial recklessness, gross misconduct,” among other allegations.
