Falana Wants Jonathan To Name Eagle Square After Abiola And Not UNILAG

Radical lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, reacting to the federal government change of the name of the University of Lagos to Mashood Abiola University said in in Lagos Tuesday evening that the Goodluck Jonathan Administration deserves commendation for its decision to honour the heroic sacrifice of Chief MKO Abiola in  the struggle for the restoration of civil rule in Nigeria, but adds that since the name of the Ogun State Polytechnic has since been changed to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic by the Ogun State government there is no justification for naming another institution after the leading hero of liberal democracy in the country.

"The impression should not be created that Chief Abiola's mandate was restricted to the South West" says Falana who adds that "unlike  successive regimes since 1993 which have failed to recognise the enormous contributions of the Late Chief Abiola to the defence of the democratic rights of the Nigerian people the Jonathan Administration deserves commendation for honouring his memory." said Mr Falana

He proposed however, that the best way to honour Chief Abiola is to  release the results of the 1993 Presidential Election and declare him the winner instead of continue to refer to him as "the presumed winner "of the fair and free election.

Mr. Falana counseled the president that "Since the University of Lagos Act has not been amended by the  National Assembly to reflect the proposed change of name President Jonathan should be advised to drop the plan to remane the institution."

He also urged the students to be reasonable saying, "Instead of engaging in street protests over the matter the University of Lagos students, who are not opposed to the immortalisation of Chief Abiola,  may wish to lobby the members of the National Assembly not to approve the amendment of the law setting up the institution. Afterall, the presidential announcement is at best a declaration of intention as the name of the University has not been changed in accordance with the law!"

He reminded the president that "It was in recognition of the national character of the June 12, 1993 presidential mandate that the Senate had passed a Resolution that the National Stadium at Abuja be named Moshood Abiola Stadium but out of primitive jealousy President Olusegun Obasanjo ignored the historic resolution."

Since President Jonathan has displayed a better sense of history in the circumstance he should immediately implement the Resolution or, alternatively, the Eagle Square may be named afer Chief Abiola the lawyer said.