Ex- envoy, Bode George want LASU named after Herbert Macaulay

Lagos monarch seeks Yabatech’s conversion to varsity

Former Nigerian envoy to the United Nations, Oladapo Fafowora has urged the Lagos State government to name the state University (LASU) after Sir Herbert Macaulay in commemoration of his contributions to nationalism.

This is coming on the heels of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the creation of the state and recognition of its heroes. While making the call yesterday at the inaugural Herbert Macaulay Gold Lecture titled: “Herbert Heelas Macaulay and his Relevance to the Excellence of Lagos,” delivered at the Lagos Country Club Ikeja, Fafowora said it was imperative for the government to urgently set up a Herbert Macaulay Foundation, with the support of the private sector to keep his memories and political ideals alive.

He noted that Macaulay’s ideals, which bothered on welfare for the masses, security and mega-city status for Lagos were still relevant till date despite the fact that the population of Lagos as at 1946 when he died was a mere 300, 000 but is now over 20 million.

Also, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George said Macaulay’s contributions to the development of Lagos and end of colonialism was something worth recognising for.

George said, “The main trust of Macaulay’s conviction was to alleviate the sufferings of the people of Nigeria. Today we are celebrating a man who gave his all for the country and Lagos. We are celebrating 50 years of Lagos now but how will this sound without due recognition of Herbert Macaulay.

He, therefore, charged the younger generation of Nigerians and particularly Lagosians not shy away from politics. Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Gbemiga Ogunleye described Macaulay as a nationalist to the core and a foremost Nigerian politician.

Meanwhile, Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos has appealed to the Federal Government to speed up the process of converting the Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) to a university.

He made the appeal when the governing council of the institution, led by its chairman, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) paid him a courtesy call. He said institutions of Yabatech’s pedigree, which had produced graduates who had made significant contributions to national development elsewhere are encouraged to do more.

“Those who picked Fagbemi as chairman know that whatever he lays his hands on prospers. He will be working with a productive rector, who is also a strong woman.”

Earlier, Fagbemi expressed the determination of the council to turn around the college’s fortunes, adding: “We are here to restore Yabatech’s lost glory and arrest the falling standards of education in Nigeria through our efforts at the college.

“l later met with the members of the College Academic Board where the chairman solicited their support. The appeal was also prominent in the interactions the council had with the three labour unions – Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and the Non-Academic Staff Union.

The chairman was accompanied by the council’s members namely, Dr. Victor Igbum, Engineer Barrister Jude Eluma, Hon. Isah Auwalu, Lady Dr. Doris Okoroh, Hon. Tumba Nuwa, Hon. Biodun Omoleye, Dr. Margaret Kudirat Ladipo (Rector) and Ms. Biekoroma Amakapabo.