Razaq Bamidele
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has strongly advised stakeholders in academic business in Nigeria that no circumstance should arise where embarking on strike should be an option again.
The Sultan of Sokoto, who is also the Chancellor, University of Ibadan, personally acknowledged the 96-year-old former student of the university, Prof. Adetoun Ogunseye, during the 74th Founder’s Day and Convocation of the university, on Thursday, 2022.
Speaking as the institution’s Chancellor, Sultan Abubakar, attributed the low turnout and lack of adequate preparation for the 74th Foundation Day and Convocation Ceremony of the university to the recent strike by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
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He lamented that the ASUU strike affected this year’s ceremonies to the extent that no provision for honourary doctorate degrees that are usually done in recognition of distinguished contributors of progress to the nation, especially in the area of education.
The UI Chancellor, who thanked God that the ASUU’s strike was now over, however disagreed with people who talk and present Nigerian university system like it is the worst situation in the world, adding that there must be ways of resolving issues in the academic sector without any union of staff resorting to strike.
His words, “No. Ours is not the worst situation. If it is so, how come then that products of Nigerian universities go abroad and are doing well there?”
They are doing well abroad, the Sultan asserted, because the universities in Nigeria are doing great but advised that, “We must be able resolve our problems without going on strike.”
The Sultan was accompanied to the ceremony by Ooni of Ife by proxy, Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Lagos, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Atayero of Aramoko, Oba Adesegun Aderemi (JP), Elemuren of Emuren, Ogun State, Oba Adesegun Bolaji Alowonle, Olubosin of Ifetedo Kingdom, Osun State, Oba Akinola Oyetade Akinrera, President Muslim Ummah of South West (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, Executive Secretary MUSWEN, Prof. Muslim Yahaya, Chief Imam of Challenge Muslim Community, Ibadan, Sheikh Musa Najimdeen Al-Murshid, President, Muslim Media Practitioner of Nigeria (MMPN), Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Balogun, among others.
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Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Rashheed represented the Visitor and President Muhammadu Buhari, while Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Registrar/Chief Executive of Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Pro-Chancellor, UI, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, and vice chancellors from various universities also graced the occasion.
The high point of the event was the special announcement of a 1948 admitted student, who is now 96 years old, Prof. Adetoun Ogunseye. The announcement drew the interest of the Sultan, Abubakar, who quickly walked down from his high seat to personally acknowledge the presence of the old student of the University he leads as Chancellor.