2015: SAN warns politicians against inciting crisis

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mallam Ola-Olu Ali has warned Nigerian politicians against turning the country into a theatre of war,  noting that violence could consume all stakeholders.

Ali stated this at the weekend while speaking on behalf of the recipients of honorary doctorate degree by Al-Hikmah University, urging the political elites to practice politics of development.

He said: “As the race to the 2015 general elections is on, I call on the political elites to practice politics of ideas and development, violence is like riding on the back of the proverbial tiger, anyone that rides it may end up in its belly. A word is enough for the wise”.

Speaking on the education section, the Senior Advocates urged both the federal, state governments as well as stakeholders to find a common ground to ensure stable, progressive and workable academic calendar in Nigerian institutions.

  He noted that the founder of Al-Hikmah University, has laid a good foundation as owner of a private university for others to follow in establishing world class private universities in Nigeria to address the acute shortage of spaces for qualified youths.

“The distinguishing factor between our public universities and other universities all over the world is the stability of academic calendar. Whereas, stability of academic calendar is assured in other universities all over the world, that is not the situation with our public-owned tertiary institutions, except the University of Ilorin, where there has been a consistent stability of academic calendar since 2001.

  “The stability in the academic calendar of our public tertiary institutions has so much eroded the credibility of certificates from these institutions, to the shame of all of us.”

  The University also honoured the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Jumoke Sunmonu with an honorary doctorate degree.