Following protests which have trailed its action, the Federal Government has declared that it has no regrets over the renaming of the University of Lagos after Nigeria’s icon of democracy, Moshood Abiola.
Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, stated this while addressing State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Jonathan had in his Democracy Day broadcast on Tuesday announced the change in honour of the late M.K.O. Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, for his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy.
In the first official government reaction to the protest by students of the institution, Maku said government would not reverse the decision.
He stated that the decision was taken in the best interest of the nation, describing such protests trailing renaming of institutions as “normal”.
“We have seen reactions by a section of students of the University of Lagos; we have also seen the out pouring of encomiums by well meaning patriots. It is our hope the reasons will prevail. We do not see the protests as disapproval.”
“This should not be allowed to overshadow the significance of this government decision,” adding that “today, Chief MKO Abiola can turn in his grave and feel satisfied that his effort was not in vain.”
He cited the example of other universities and institutions of higher learning such as the former University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and others that have been renamed after past heroes who have given their all in the service of this nation.
Meanwhile, for the second day running, rampaging students of University of Lagos (UNILAG) now Moshood Abiola University, on Wednesday continued their protest in Lagos to vent their anger over the decision of the Federal Government to re-name the school.
The students as early as 7a.m took their protest to the Third Mainland Bridge, blocking both sides of the bridge touted to be the longest in Africa, thereby bringing vehicular traffic to a standstill for hours.
Commuters and motorists and other categories of residents working on the Island and who ply through the bridge to connect their offices and business locations, were as a result of the protest stranded on the bridge, just as they expressed mixed feelings over the action.
Many workers heading for work after the Democracy Day holiday were caught in the traffic jam caused on the bridge after students protesting the change laid siege to it early in the day.
Some motorists and stranded commuters, who spoke on the development, condemned the protest, advising the students to focus on their education and not cause unnecessary chaos.
Maku also announced that the Federal Government has approved the sum of $89 million (about N13.4 billion) loan facility from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for Kaduna State government to rehabilitate the Zaria Water Supply Scheme.
The government also on Wednesday approved the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) protocol on the simplification and harmonisation of Customs procedures.
He declared that Nigeria which was part of the original convention of 1974 is yet to accede to the reversed convention agreed to by member-countries of the World Customs Organisation.
“The reversed convention makes room for the simplification of and faster processes of release of goods, increased revenue for government as well as removal of inefficient procedures that impede access to market”.
The government also approved the rehabilitation and construction of two roads including the Nkporo-Abriba-Ohafia Road in Abia State and Ada-Okhelen-Ukoni-Amedokhian Road in Edo State.
Both projects which are expected to be completed in 14 months are billed to cost the sum of N2.7 billion and N2.22 billion, respectively.
The Law on Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide and Other related matters also got the attention of government with its approval for domestication.