By Gabriel Dike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU) chapter recently organised a symposium in honour of Prof. Silas Egbowon, who retired recently from the services of the university.
The symposium, the first by ASUU-LASU saw Egbowon’s colleagues, both within and other universities showered encomium on him for his contributions and dedication to the struggle of the union.
The symposium titled: ” Intelligentsia, Activism and Nation Building” was delivered by former Lagos ASUU Coordinator, Prof. Adesola Nasir. The 2nd speaker, Prof. Sola Olorunyomi from the University of Ibadan, spoke on “The Importance of Cadership Education” while Ms. Titi Akosa focused on “Women and the Struggle for Academic Freedom”.
The event took place at the Conference Hall, New TETFund Building, Faculty of Arts of LASU. It attracted Egbowon’s colleagues, family members and civil societies. They used the occasion to acknowledge his support for the ASUU struggle.
The convener of the symposium, Prof. Femi Obayori, said the leadership met and agreed to honour retired members that have shown loyalty to ASUU.
He added: “This is the first in the series of symposiums to our dedicated members. In the last six years, our union has faced a series of challenges.”
The former ASUU -LASU chairman, Dr. Adekunle Idris, showed encomium on Egbowon for his contribution to the union’s struggle, adding, that he showed commitment to issues affecting the union.
Idris further described him as a faithful and dedicated ASUU-LASU member, was always available for congress and also helped the union to edite documents.
In his paper, Prof. Nasir of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, appreciated Egbowon for remaining loyal to ASUU struggle and also his contribution to Intelligentsia.
Nasir tasked the Intelligentsia to find the truth and also be bold enough to proclaim it, insisting that the Intelligentsia and allies must wake up and be feasible.
He disclosed that the university is a breeding ground to produce Intelligentsia but acknowledged there are others in the private and business sectors.
The unionist explained that Nigeria needs institutions that would check politicians and their allies to ensure they do the needful.
Prof. Nasir observed that the government does not listen to its Intelligentsia but rather to the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and other foreign agencies.
“The government is serving debt with a huge budget allocation that affects education, health and other social sectors. Over the last decade, the government has not spent up to 10 percent on education.”
Prof. Olorunyomi of the Institute of African Studies, UI, saluted ASUU-LASU for honouring one of their dedicated retired members.
Olorunyomi acknowledged that some Intelligentsia are now working against the system.
An activist with the Movement for a Socialist Alternative (MSA), Comrade Dagger Tola commended ASUU-LASU for honouring a member that contributed positively to the growth of the union.
He tasked the Intelligentsia to find solutions to the current problems confronting the country.
In his remarks, Prof. Egbowon advised ASUU to organize orientation for new members, “we must reach out to younger academics and prepare them for the journey ahead.”
According to him, “some people see ASUU as trouble makers. No, we are not. The union has helped to get the Federal Government to improve university education.”
Egbowon assured the union that he would always be available to advise the union on several areas when the needs arise.