UNILAG: Jonathan seeks Senate Approval

Jonathan’s letter conveying the request was read on the floor of the Senate at the commencement of plenary by Senate President, David Mark.

In the letter, Jonathan asked the Senate to approve the renaming of the Federal University of Technology Umudike to Michael Okpara University, Umudike; Federal Univeristy of Technology, Yola to Modibbo Adamawa University and University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University, Lagos.

 The president’s request comes on the heels of public disapproval and protests over his renaming of UNILAG on May 29, 2012.
UNILAG students reacted to the renaming by embarking on three days of street protests.

The students have also sued Jonathan over the name change while the alumni association of the institution has declared the renaming as unacceptable.

A number of prominent Nigerians have also said the renaming of UNILAG was a wrong decision that should not be allowed to stand.

Saharareporters reacted by saying “Time and time again he(Mr President) has shown, as a result of his unnecessary unforced errors, that he is his own chief enemy. They simply resuscitate the question, as to whether he was ready to be president”

However, the family of the late Moshood Abiola has welcomed the decision and dismissed the public outcry as unwarranted