The University of Maiduguri Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has promised to make its decision on the renaming of the institution after late President Muhammadu Buhari by President Bola Tinubu known soon.
In a telephone interview on Sunday with PUNCH Online, the chairman of the university ASUU, Dr. Abubakar MShelia, said their position will be disclosed to the public after the next congress meeting.
He said, “Our members will be meeting, and we shall make our position known to the public.
“We will make our position very clear by the time the congress meets. The excos have met, and the veterans have met.
“We have collectively decided that soon, we will make our position public and convey the message to whom it may concern.”
He, however, declined to comment on what the public should expect.
On his part, the President of the Student Union Government of the university, Yahaya Maigari, said a significant percentage of the students are against the renaming.
“We cannot say all of our students, or 100 per cent of the students, have accepted the change of the university name, but a certain percentage rejected the renaming because of its long reputation.
“As a matter of fact, we will be celebrating UNIMAID at 50 soon, that’s five decades, so you know it’s not easy for some of the students to accept that sudden change,” he said.
He, however, commended Tinubu for renaming the institution, saying Buhari has contributed significantly to education in Nigeria.
“For me as the SUG President, I truly support the decision to rename the university after the late President, particularly in recognition of his lifelong contribution to Borno and Nigeria at large,” he added.
Also, the immediate past SUG President of the institution, Muhammad Bello, hailed the name change, while stating that the former President has made a remarkable impact in the country that is worth recognition
“The renaming of the UNIMAID is a tribute to the late President’s contribution to Nigeria. Though, some may debate the renaming, but for me, it is a gesture that reflects his impact on the nation, not only the nation but the world in general,” Bello said.
PUNCH Online had reported that Buhari died in a London hospital last Sunday after a brief illness.
Credit: THE PUNCH.
