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Opinion: Admiring Arakunrin’s Thoughtfulness of Dr. Tunji Abayomi’s Appointment As Pro-Chancellor Of AAUA

Published

7 years ago

March 13, 2018

Eric

By Dr. Kayode Ajulo

I have had the privilege and honour of marching on the streets in a protest against tyrannical rule of the military as an undergraduate of UNIJOS in the 90s and also working with and benefitting from the wealth of knowledge of Dr. Tunji Abayomi- a selfless, dedicated and gadfly advocate for human rights.

While finding my feet in my profession as a lawyer between 2003 and 2005, I served as Head of Chambers of the Tunji Abayomi Law firm, and in that capacity forged with my then principal a beneficiary relationship that has endured through the years.

Dr. Tunji Abayomi is a man of many sides, a lawyer and a man deeply and stubbornly sworn to his ideals for a better and even society.

His many critical statements and actions against the dictatorial military junta saw him behind the bars on more than a few occasions where he only further deepened his commitment to human rights and equality at pains to bones and limbs.

His publications on executive and legislative functions are go-to authorities, just as much if not more are his opinions expressed vociferously on the responsibility of a good government to its electorates.

It therefore comes with little surprise yet wholesomely welcomed to see the appointment of Dr. Tunji Abayomi as pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ondo State Premier University, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Okoko by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu , SAN of Ondo State.

It is an appointment well advised and made, and it surely reflects on the government of Arakunrin as one cognitive of merit, skill and ability over mediocrity.

The appointment of Dr. Tunji Abayomi in said capacity is one that going forward signals the dawn of a beautiful and eventful era for the university. His tenacity and passion for service are sure-fire indicators of a new level of leadership delivery much needed to reposition the school for greatness and improve its lot among other tertiary institutions in the country.

For Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, new vistas of possibilities and renewal is its new lot. For its staff and students, Dr. Tunji Abayomi ‘s accessibility and modesty presents an opportunity to explore areas of needs necessary to grow the university on a personal level.

Very articulate and effusive, yet studiously egregious critic, and due to his political experience, knows when to close his mouth and open his ears with genuineness of his selflessness unmistakable. Dr. Tunji Abayomi is a leader who sits within the same radius as those he leads, his fastidious attention to details means very little ever escapes his knowledge.

I say with all conviction that the staff and students of Adekunle Ajasin University whom I am privilege to work with as Adjunct Lecturer have a right to expect an immediate geometric progression in the fortunes of the school. His antecedents offers an anticipatory picture of a prosperous future for the system. He is not only directional in his thoughts and actions, his scope of creativity is almost limitless.

The considerable circumference of his experience as a successful lawyer, activist and no a politician of note, assures of new heights and new levels for the great university. Indeed, a new dawn is afoot in Ondo State.

Let me reiterate my genuine admiration of the thoughtfulness of Dr. Tunji Abayomi ‘s appointment by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN of Ondo State. In a time and system where mediocrity beats merit in government circles, Governor Akeredolu has made an emphatic statement of his willingness to appreciate talents, skills and capacity over cronyism. It is an administrative policy that we hope to see repeated in his time in office.

Finally, may I extend my warmest regards to Dr. Tunji Abayomi, members of the constituted Governing Council and the staff and students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. I enjoin all within the school system to work together with and tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience of the university’s newly appointed pro-Chancellor. There is now before the school a new and solid opportunity to improve its standing amongst other tertiary institutions in the state and country as a whole.

News

Sack Wike Now, Niger Delta Youths Tell Tinubu

Published

19 hours ago

March 15, 2025

Eric

The youth chapter of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesom Wike, to retract his publicly disparaging remarks against the Ijaw nation and the leaders of this socio-political body.

According to the youths, it is embarrassing that Wike insulted the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, even in death without respecting him.

Addressing journalists on Saturday, the National Youth President of the Youth Wing, Doben Donyegha, who gave the ultimatum, said that it was annoying that Wike abused the leaders of the South-South geopolitical zone less than 24 hours after its delegation met with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Wike, during a media chat on Thursday, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.

Donyegha, who also urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately sack the minister from his cabinet, said that the youth wing no longer had confidence in him and that keeping Wike in his cabinet may affect the president’s re-election chances in the Niger Delta come 2027.

The President of the PANDEF youths also asked the Code of Conduct Bureau to investigate the minister, alleging land-grabbing activities in the FCT.

News

Ahead Budget Presentation, Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly Adjourns Sitting Indefinitely

Published

2 days ago

March 14, 2025

Eric

The Rivers State House of Assembly has adjourned its sittings indefinitely.

The decision to adjourn legislative duties indefinitely was reached during plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The development comes hours after the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, wrote to the Speaker, informing him of his intention to visit the House to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill for consideration and approval.

The governor, in a letter dated March 13 and addressed to the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, said he intends to present the budget on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, or any other day within March that the House may deem fit.

Fubara said his decision is in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment and in response to the lawmakers’ request for him to re-present the budget.

He recalled the bitter experience of visiting the Assembly Quarters with his entourage, where the lawmakers were temporarily sitting to present the budget, but he was denied access to the complex.

News

Suspension: Natasha Sues Akpabio, Others for Contempt

Published

3 days ago

March 13, 2025

Eric

The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has filed contempt charges against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and others over her six-month suspension without pay from the Senate.

Others listed in the Form 48 contempt charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja and sighted on Thursday, include the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuen.

It will be recalled that Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on 4 March, while delivering a ruling on an ex parte motion filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan through her legal team led by Mr. Michael Numa (SAN), restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct from proceeding with any investigation against the plaintiff/applicant.

This investigation related to alleged misconduct following events that occurred during the Senate plenary session on February 20, 2025 and a subsequent referral on February 25, 2025.

The court’s order was to remain in effect pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.

The court also issued an order directing the defendants to show cause why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted to restrain them from proceeding with the purported investigation against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged misconduct, as such actions would affect her privileges as stipulated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

Additionally, the court declared that “any action taken during the pendency of the suit is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”

The Court granted Akpoti-Uduaghan permission to serve the originating summons and accompanying documents on all defendants through substituted means, such as delivering them to the Clerk of the National Assembly, cited as the 1st Defendant, or by pasting them on the premises of the National Assembly and publishing them in two national dailies.

However, just two days after the court’s ruling, the Senate proceeded to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.

In response to the court order, the Senate President contested the power of the court to interfere in the internal affairs of the legislature, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to intervene in Senate matters.

In her contempt charge, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that her suspension constituted wilful disobedience to the subsisting court order issued on March 4 stating that an enrolled order of the interim injunction issued by Justice Egwuatu was duly served on the defendants on March 5.

According to Form 48, the defendants/contemnors “deliberately and contumaciously disregarded” the binding directive of the court and “proceeded with acts in flagrant defiance of the authority of the court.”

The court, in a notice of disobedience of a court order signed by its Registrar pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act 2004, informed the defendants/contemnors of their wilful disobedience to the court order issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

It warned that defying the subsisting order rendered Akpabio, Senator Imasuen, and the Clerk of the National Assembly liable for contempt of court, which could result in their committal to prison.