Former students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) on Wednesday said any move by the Federal Government to re-name the institution after ex-President Shehu Shagari would be vehemently resisted.
At a news conference in Akure, they vowed not to entertain such moves.
They promised to mobilise all students and Akure, the host community and other stakeholders against the Federal Government.
Founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has suggested to the Federal Government to rename FUTA after the late Shagari.
His administration initiated the Act of Parliament that established the institution.
President of FUTA Alumni Association, Adesomoju Olaitan, said the identity change would affect the fortune of the university if allowed.
Olaitan said: “After extensive consultation and discussions with alumni members globally, we wish to state clearly that the overwhelming majority vehemently oppose any name change to our alma mater.
“It is of note that FUTA was not the only university established by the Act of Parliament during Alhaji Sheu Shagari’s regime, at least six other Federal Universities of Technology were established.”
The old students said the Federal Government should consider any of the other institutions in the North instead of an institution in the South.
They pointed out the Federal Government named the University of Ife after Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a university in the South instead of a university in the North.
According to them: “FUTA is an established professional brand that is globally respected for technological innovations.
“FUTA has also developed several domestic and international collaborations with other leading institutions.
“These advances and relationship would be marred in an identity crisis by changing its established brand name on the whim of an individual.
“Evidence abounds that previous name changes for purposes of immortalisation have done damage to institutions of higher learning than good and there is nowhere in the world that institutions of higher learning over five years old are abruptly renamed after the demise of a leader.”
They argued that Harvard and Oxford have kept the same name since their creation and establishment, stressing these brands are globally respected and identifiable.