Professor Theophilus Soyombo has stepped down as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, following the setting up of a panel by the Federal Government over the crisis in the institution.
Soyombo, in a statement issued on Saturday, announced his stepping down just as he stated that he accepted the offer of the acting vice chancellor in order to restore peace.
His words: “The news of the setting up of a special visitation panel to the University of Lagos by the federal government was received in the evening of Friday, 21st August 2020. The government also directed the university senate to nominate an acting vice-chancellor for the university, for confirmation by the governing council.
“With this, I am stepping down, with immediate effect, as acting vice-chancellor of the university.
“I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all members of staff and our dear students, the staff unions, alumni and the general public for their wonderful support and cooperation in the past ten days since my appointment as acting vice-chancellor of the university on 12th August 2020.
“As I noted in my address to a cross-section of staff on 19th August 2020, I accepted the offer to serve as a call to service, with the objective of restoring peace and stability in the university.
“It is my prayer that the peace and stability that we so much need and desire at this time be restored very quickly so that the University of Lagos can continue to march on as the university of first choice and the nation’s pride.”
It would be recalled that Soyombo was appointed acting vice chancellor by the university’s governing council chaired by Dr. Wale Babalakin.
His appointment followed the sacking of Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe at an emergency meeting of the governing council held in Abuja.
Ogundipe was accused of gross financial malpractices.
The development led to a crisis as Ogundipe challenged his removal, saying the process was not proper.
He went to the court to challenge his sack while Soyombo assumed office.
He has however withdrawn the case on Friday.
The Senate and unions in the institution which were against the process of the removal of the vice chancellor took the fight to Abuja.
Only yesterday, the Federal Government announced the setting up of a panel and ordered that Babalakin and Ogundipe should step aside.
The Senate was asked to come up with an acting vice chancellor.
The panel was given two weeks to work and submit its report.
