A prominent indigenous Lagosian and former Minister of Communication, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju rtd, has reacted to the cancellation of ongoing process to appoint a new Vice Chancellor for the Lagos Sate University (LASU).
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, who is the Visitor to LASU, on Friday cancelled the process, and directed that a fresh process that would terminate in forty five days should commence immediately.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Governor Sanwo-Olu’s decision on the cancellation came after a thorough investigation and stakeholders engagement, which were necessitated by various petitions against the selection process.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu was inundated with petitions arising from the selection process of the Vice Chancellor by the Governing Council. After a thorough evaluation and investigation of the various complaints, Mr. Governor, in his capacity as the Visitor to the University ordered the cancellation of the process,” he stated.
Reacting to the cancellation in a press statement issued on Saturday, General Olanrewaju said “It seems there are still some behind the scene schemings and obvious partisan intrusions to foist an unpopular and non-indigene upon LASU which is at variance with the original ideals of the founding fathers.”
He urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to “to take the right and proper decision in this very delicate times when voices are rising every day about the brazen marginalization of the native Lagosians.”
Below is full text of the press statement:
LASU : Let us do the right thing
Despite the various outcries and public interventions by many indigenous stakeholders about the attempt to skew and muddle the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor of the Lagos state University in favor of Professor Ibiyemi Bello, the wife of Mr Tunji Bello who has been in public office for well over 20 years , the Lagos state government has issued a statement which outrightly cancelled the former proceedings where four leading indigenous candidates had emerged as the clear frontrunners, with Mrs Bello making the rear.
It seems there are still some behind the scene schemings and obvious partisan intrusions to foist an unpopular and non-indigene upon LASU which is at variance with the original ideals of the founding fathers.
There is no state University that is being run by a non-indigene. It is a deliberate policy to empower the indigenous professionals and create better opportunities for the young indigenous population to have a better opportunity of University education.
I played my role in ensuring better educational conditions for our people when i supported and encouraged the ceding of the Epe Artillery Base to LASU. I was then the Commander of the Artillery Corps. I personally supervised the handover of the facilities to Governor Otedola to serve as a satellite campus of LASU.
I am yet again advising the Governor to take the right and proper decision in this very delicate times when voices are rising every day about the brazen marginalization of the native Lagosians. History will judge all of us for whatever role we play in this challenging moment.
⁃ Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju rtd.
⁃ Former Minister of Communications
