UNILAG Speaks On Inviting NURTW Boss, MC Oluomo

The management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has said it was aware of the invitation of the Caretaker Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State, Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo to the school.

Naija News reports that National Association of Geography Students, UNILAG chapter, had invited MC Oluomo and several other top officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation to a programme.

This lead to criticism by Nigerians on social media who wondered why MC Oluomo was honoured with an invitation when a former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was prevented from addressing students when he was invited for a similar gathering earlier.

Reacting in a statement on Friday, UNILAG Principal Assistant Registrar, Communication Unit, Mrs Taiwo Oloyede, said MC Oluomo did not attend the event.

She said, “The management of the University of Lagos hereby notifies parents, guardians and other stakeholders of the university that it is aware of the event to which the Lagos State Caretaker Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya, was allegedly invited.

“The event was a colloquium on ‘Transport Efficiency: Employing Lagos Terrain Alternatives.’ organised by the National Association of Geography Students (NAGS) on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.

“Relevant stakeholders in the transport sector invited to the event were: Arc. Abiodun Dabiri, MD, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA); Engr. Ibrahim Alhassan, Chairman, Nigerian Railway Corporation; Dr. Olusegun Spencer, Director, Amalgamated Mega-City Transport; Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, MD, Lagos Waterways Authority; Dr. Adewale Sanni, Station Manager, Lufthansa and Dr Charles Asenime, LASU School of Transport, PG Coordinator.

“Although Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) was one of those to be invited, which informed the draft banner with his picture, currently trending on social media; the approved banner did not have Alhaji Akinsanya as an invited guest, neither did he attend the event.

“For the record, events are organised on campus to expose students to current trends in the academia and industries. During such events, experts and relevant stakeholders with considerable knowledge and experience on the theme of such activities are carefully selected and invited to come and share their thoughts with our students. The goal is to produce students that are locally relevant and globally competitive.

“Therefore, the general public is enjoined to disregard any propaganda making the rounds on social media about the propriety of inviting a particular guest or not.”