By Yusuf Adua
The senate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has today elected Professor Folasade Ogunsola, the institution’s deputy vice-chancellor for development services, as acting VC after having Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe removed and Professor Omololu Soyombo tasted the seat of leadership within the last three weeks.
It all began when Professor Ogundipe was removed on the 12th of August by the university’s Governing Council led by its Chairman and pro-chancellor, Dr.Wale Babalakin(SAN). The governing council met in Abuja, presided over the removal of Ogundipe as VC of the university, and later named Professor Omololu Soyombo as the Acting Vice-Chancellor.
The embattled VC, Ogundipe then asked Mike Ozekhome (SAN) to file a suit to challenge his removal from office.
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Few days later, President Muhammadu Buhari directed Ogundipe and Babalakin to step aside and allow the senate of the university to nominate an acting vice-chancellor. Reacting to the directive in a statement last Saturday, Professor Soyombo said he had stepped down “with immediate effect” in obedience to the presidential directive.
News sources had earlier reported that the senate committee will convene today to elect an acting vice-chancellor as recommended by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The meeting held today but not without tough rows to hoe as mild drama ensued when some Senate members of the University who were to meet to nominate an acting Vice-Chancellor at the main auditorium were initially barred by a memo posted on the door of the auditorium.
The memo, signed by the Registrar, Oladejo Azeez, stated in part, “This is to inform all Senate members that no meeting of the Senate has been summoned, members should await proper notice of meeting after the Federal Government of Nigeria has clarified some issues germane to the meeting.”
However, Professor Folasade Ogunsola emerged the new Acting Vice-Chancellor today, 24th of August, 2020. She secured the prestigious position after garnering 135 votes to defeat Professor Ben Ogbojafor who polled 31 votes. A vote was declared void, making the total votes cast 167.
Who is Ogunsola?
Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola(born 1958, 62 years) is a Nigerian professor of medical microbiology. She specializes in disease control, particularly HIV/AIDS.
She is the principal investigator at AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) at UNILAG and has been the chairman of the Infection Control Committee of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Her stout role in assisting Nigeria overcome the Ebola outbreak in 2014 was scholastic and highly commendable.
She has also contributed to the health sectors of other African countries, including Uganda.
She has been the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (development services) of the institution since 2017.
Ogunsola, a former provost of UNILAG College of Medicine, is the first woman to occupy the number one position in the university.
It is on record that Professor Soyombo stepped down willingly in accordance with the directive of the President of Nigeria making Professor Ogunsola the first female professor to head the institution.
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