BY LAJU ARENYEKA

All roads led to the University of Lagos recently, when its Political Science department hosted the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihediora, as the guest speaker in their annual lecture tagged: “The Legislature: Roles, Misconceptions & Experience in Consolidation of Democracy in Nigeria.”

The crème de la crème of town and gown were present. The Deputy Speakers entourage included Mrs. Rose Okoh, Acting Chairman on the House Committee on Education, Mrs. Abike Dabiri, Chairman Committee on Diaspora, Owoyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the House Committee on Research, Kolawole Taiwo, Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly amongst others. The University community was well represented and led by the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Rahamon Bello.

Although the theme of the lecture was well handled, it was without doubt that the question on the minds of students, staff and the general public about the House’ stand on the change of the University was itching to be asked. It was therefore not surprising that this was the resounding theme of the management staff and even students who had the opportunity to speak at the event. Some subtly so, and others, not so subtly.

In response, the Deputy Speaker said that before making any decision considering the President’s Bill, the House will take into consideration the views of the students, staff, Alumni and majority of Nigerians.

Ihedioha in his lecture, called on the electorate to empathize with the Legislature saying that they have had more than their fair share of doubts from critics. According to him, one major reason for such criticism and misconception is the “crisis of expectation from the electorate” The deputy speaker said that “even enlightened people confuse the role of the legislature with that of the executive.”

He also called on the academic community to make their input into the ongoing process of amending the constitution while stating that the constitution will be amended again in April next year.