Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says the state would commence moves to convert the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, into a conventional university.
The Governor, who spoke while receiving the report of the Oyo State Negotiating Committee on LAUTECH, noted that the government would equally situate the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences of the institution, which would open this year, in Iseyin, the Oke-Ogun area of the state.
According to him, following the signing of the LAUTECH, Ogbomoso 2020 Bill into law, the state would apply to necessary authorities to change the university from a technology university to a conventional university, so that it could be strengthened and enabled to handle other courses outside the technology bracket.
Governor Makinde made the disclosure at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, while receiving the report of the Oyo State Negotiating Committee on the Resolution of the Lingering Crisis at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho.
The decision to open the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences campus of LAUTECH in Iseyin is coming seven days after Governor Makinde declared in Iseyin that he would fulfill his electioneering promise of siting a higher institution of learning in the historical city within six weeks.
The Governor said the Committee, inaugurated on November 19, 2019, and led by Prof. Ayodeji Omole, was assigned the responsibility of dissolving the joint ownership of LAUTECH between Oyo and Osun states, stating that members of the committee have fulfilled their mandate.
He appreciated the Committee for getting the job done, while also lauding its counterpart in Osun State led by Prof. Olu Aina, as well as the Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, who, he said put aside all differences, especially partisan politics, all through the negotiations.
Amicable resolutions
While appreciating the effort of the committee on behalf of himself, the Oyo State Executive Council, the staff and students of LAUTECH, the people of Ogbomoso in particular and the good people of Oyo State as a whole, the Governor re-affirmed that parting ways with Osun State on LAUTECH was not borne out of animosity but out of a desire to see LAUTECH realise its vision of being a world class university.
He noted: “We were not insisting on parting ways because we do not love our brothers and sisters from Osun State. As I have said on several occasions, this severance of relationship is not going to negatively impact the students and staff from Osun State but it had to be done for the sake of easier administration and to move LAUTECH, as an institution, towards our goal of a world-class university.”
He assured the negotiation Committee on LAUTECH that the state would thoroughly explore the recommendations of the committee, saying: “I want to commend the versatility of the NUC on the negotiations. I am pleased to say that I have signed the LAUTECH, Ogbomoso Bill 2020 into law. So, it is now time to move forward with our plans. We will apply to the NUC to convert from a University of Technology to a conventional university.
“A lot has gone into the report and we want to give you the assurance that, even though the assignment is finished, we will continue to call on you either individually or collectively to keep on advising us on the path forward for LAUTECH,” Makinde concluded.
Oyo takes ownership
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Omole, affirmed that LAUTECH was now fully owned by the people of Oyo State and appreciated the Governor for the privilege accorded the Committee to serve the state, adding that the committee conducted the negotiation without losing focus and candour.
“The Oyo State’s team was simply fantastic and terrific. To the glory of God and to the joy of the people of this state, with your confidence and support for the committee, coupled with your exemplary and nothing-is-impossible approach to leadership, the committee thrived resolutely, confidently and successfully to achieve this mandate,” Omole added.
Emmanuel Ukoh
