UNILAG VC says ASUU strike may end soon
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has expressed hope that the protracted nationwide indefinite strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) would soon be over.
Ogundipe gave the hint in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the inauguration of a multi-million naira laboratory, refurbished and donated to the Faculty of Engineering by Mr Oyetayo Ige, an alumnus of the university.
The event took place at the UNILAG campus in Akoka, Lagos, on Tuesday evening.
“I want to say that things may soon pick up in the system. We are already aware of the various interventions by some concerned stakeholders in the country, in ensuring that things are normalised in the system so that our children can come back to school.
“So, with the latest development and the kind of green light coming from the government’s angle, there are strong indications that the strike may soon be over; very soon, and I want to assure you that we are very hopeful,” Ogundipe said.
Speaking on the donation of the laboratory by a former student of the UNILAG, the vice chancellor stated that he was elated, describing the development as heartwarming and the way to go.
“Today, we are unveiling the New Frederick Adegboyega Ige Laboratory Complex, a multi-million naira facility donated by an alumnus of this university, who graduated from the Faculty of Engineering.
“The laboratory is for the Department of Electrical and Electronics.
“You know, what he has just done is in line with our ‘3P3’ initiative, which is Pick a Project, Pick a Person and Pick a Programme.
“So, he has been able to commit millions of naira to improve the state of this laboratory in a bid to give back to his alma mater and by extension, impact teaching and learning.
“We have three different sections in this laboratory; they comprise the software, the electrical and the hardware sections, and with this, our engineering students will surely be unstoppable,” Ogundipe added.
He lauded Ige, the donor, and urged others to replicate the same, in whatever ways they deemed fit, for the advancement of society and the good of humanity.