The recently appointed acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Professor Omololu Soyombo on Friday said he has resumed his new role.
Recall that the Governing Council of the university had appointed Soyombo as the new VC on Thursday after Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe was sacked at its emergency meeting in Abuja, on Wednesday.
Soyombo said he has assumed office immediately as his appointment on acting capacity takes immediate effect.
He made his first official statement to the university community on Friday.
In an internal memorandum issued from the Office of the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, the Acting Vice Chancellor described his appointment as a position of responsibility that was thrust upon him and which he accepted as a sense of duty to the university.
According to him, it is a call to service with the overall objective of fostering an atmosphere of peace on the campus.
He, therefore, appealed to members of the university community to go about their businesses and activities and avoid acts that may disrupt the peace of the university, adding that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure the security of lives and property on its campuses.
In his words, “It is with high sense of responsibility that I humbly address the university community on this occasion of grave challenges to the stability and progress of our dear university.
“I wish to start by noting that this is a position of responsibility that was thrust upon me and which I accepted out of a sense of duty to our university. I see this as a call to service with the overall objective of fostering an atmosphere of peace for the normal university business of teaching, research and community service.
“This appointment is a definite step to resolve the impasse between the university governing council and management in order to ensure a conducive atmosphere for normal university activities to continue to thrive.
“I know that opinions are divided on issues at stake and the steps taken so far to resolve the impasse. Our paramount goal should be an amicable resolution of all the issues and to win back the peace and stability of our university.
“I therefore urge all parties and members of the university community to come together at this trying period in the interest of our university.
“All necessary steps will be taken to ensure the security of lives and property on our campuses. I hereby appeal to members of the university community to go about their businesses and activities and avoid acts that may disrupt the peace of the university. Long live the University of Lagos.”
On Thursday, Ogundipe was visible on the campus same day his replacement was announced.
He with members of the university’s senate and a few staff members held protests around the Senate building of the institution in solidarity with him and against the Governing Council led by Mr Wale Babalakin.
Soyombo was expected on Thursday following his appointment but it is unclear if the Professor of sociology has physically resumed at the 11th Floor, Senate Building office of the VC.
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