Nigeria: State of Economy - Fireworks, as Academia, Public Analysts Clash in UNILAG

31 January 2015

THERE was always going to be something different about the proceedings of the day; and the Main Auditorium, University of Lagos (UNILAG), was already animated when the guests walked in. They were the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Babajide Alo, Public Affairs analyst, Dr. Femi Aribasala, Representative of Ford Foundation, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma and Professor of Journalism and Communication, Ralph Akinfeleye, in the company of other dignitaries from the university community.

But the tension was not about the grey hair or the spectacle of the varying physique of the guests that made their way to the front of the hall; the issue in contention was who the number one citizen of the University is, an impromptu debate keenly contested on stage by two 100-level students of Mass Communication and moderated by dramatist, Tunji Sotimirin. While one of the students argued that the answer to the question was the Vice Chancellor, Rahmon Ade-Bello, the other interjected, impressing on the audience that the correct answer ought to be the Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Jerry Gana. Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence, Akin Oyebode sat at a corner unfazed, obviously enjoying the banter.

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