By Armsfree Ajanaku
Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Mr. Lanre Arogundade is set to present a book, which documents his days as a students union leader at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Mr. Arogundade, a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), in the book chronicled narratives focusing on his time as helmsman of the students’ body when he led its struggles.
A statement by the organisers noted that his memoir captures his “interventionist and leadership roles in student unionism at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in the early 80s. The book also dwells on aspects of his childhood and early education.”
It is pertinent to note that Mr. Arogundade led NANS at the same period Major General Muhammadu Buhari was the military Head of State. He was at the forefront of several struggles against the military government especially on its planned commercialisation of education in Nigeria.
“The over 250-page book titled: Breaking Coconut with Your Head (Akowe’s journey in student unionism) recalls the role of a generation of students’ union activists in defending the right to independent unionism and fighting for a functional tertiary educational system. It will be formally presented in Lagos on Monday, October 10, at an event to commemorate Arogundade’s 60th birthday.”
According to the Event Planning Committee led by Mr. Ayo Aluko-Olokun, the event will be chaired by legal luminary and rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, while the Chief Presenter is Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC Chairman and former students’ Union leader at the University of Sokoto during Arogundade’s era of NANS.
“Dignitaries from different walks of life including past and current activists, top government functionaries, school administrators, ASUU leaders, trade unionists, etc, are expected at the book presentation as Guests of Honour and Special Guests. The book will be reviewed by Prof. Rotimi Olatunji, Dean, School of Communication, Lagos State University.”
Arogundade was also Chair of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and has authored two books previously – Media and Elections: The Professional Responsibilities of Journalists and Fela: Yesterday’s Message as Today’s Reality.
