The management of the University of Lagos, Akoka has denied the recent media reports suggesting an attack by hoodlums on one of its vehicles in transit, leading to the alleged theft of graduation gowns.
The university’s spokesperson, Mrs. Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, issued a statement on Tuesday evening, shedding light on the actual circumstances surrounding the incident.
In the official statement, Mrs. Alaga-Ibraheem clarified, “The University of Lagos Management wishes to debunk certain online reports claiming that the University was attacked by hoodlums on Monday, January 15, 2024.”
She continued by providing a detailed account of the situation, emphasizing that the incident primarily revolved around crowd control measures during the release of academic gowns to graduating students of the School of Postgraduate Studies, leading up to their convocation ceremony scheduled for Thursday, January 18.
Mrs. Alaga-Ibraheem further elucidated, stating, “During the incident, some yet-to-be-issued gowns were taken, and the vehicle where the gowns were kept and being distributed from was damaged by some suspected students who may have lost patience of waiting.”
The management assured stakeholders that an ongoing investigation aims to establish the cause of the incident, identify the culpable individuals, assess the level of damage incurred, and implement preventive measures to forestall any recurrence.
Expressing gratitude for the concern demonstrated by stakeholders, the spokesperson concluded, “So, we appreciate our esteemed stakeholders for their concern, and plead with the general public to disregard wild narratives trailing the incident.”
UNILAG is currently immersed in its 54th convocation ceremony, celebrating the graduation of 17,464 students across various degree levels, including first, second, and third degrees, as well as diploma and certificate programs.
The ceremonies are organized over a span of three days, with first-degree students scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, and postgraduate students, along with three distinguished Nigerians receiving honorary doctoral degrees, set for Thursday.