Yes! University of Lagos, UNILAG, Golden Jubilee Convocation has been slated for the 7th, 8th and 9th of February, 2013, an official statement on the school’s website said.
The statement, Monday, reads:
“Authorities of the University of Lagos wish to inform all graduating students, parents/guardians and other stakeholders that the Golden Jubilee Convocation Ceremonies earlier scheduled to hold at the normal Convocation period of January 17, 18 and 19 2013 will now hold on Thursday, February 7; Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9, 2013. Further information on the Convocation Ceremonies will be announced soonest.”
The announcement authenticates speculations that emerged from UNILAG Senate House after a top official meeting, Friday, that the school had decided a new date after the ceremony was earlier postponed indefinitely.
An inside source told Newsray that the ceremonies will last a day longer than the traditional two days. The additional day has been set aside to confer honourary degrees on about six distinguished Nigerians.
It is, however, unclear whether there would be any political recipient of the honourary degrees. Should that happen, UNILAG, just like the University of Nigeria (UNN), would be violating the “Keffi Declaration” of the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities that bars varsities in the country from awarding honourary degrees to politicians.
In another development, the school is set to make history by becoming the first Nigerian university to install her Vice-Chancellor in a formal public ceremony.
It was gathered that the relatively new VC, Prof. Rahaman Bello will not move into his office until he is formally presented to the public on the first day of the convocation as his office in the 11th floor of the Senate House is under refurbishment.
Newsray also gathered that former Information Minister, Professor Jerry Gana, who had been appointed the new Head of Council and Pro-chancellor of UNILAG, earlier this month, will be officially presented to the university public on one of the convocation days.
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