Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun state has inaugurated an Implementation Committee for the proposed University of Ilesa, Osun state.
Governor Oyetola inaugurated the eight-man committee at Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, Osun state.
The governor stressed his administration’s commitment to building a truly-diversified and resilient economy through a knowledge driven population.
He said the idea of the university became necessary to further expand access to qualitative education, among other opportunities, for the teeming youths of the state.
He also said that the proposed university was deliberately conceived as a dynamic institution, whose funding would flow from a variety of sources and serve as a model for other citadels of learning.
“It is for this reason that the university has been carefully conceived as a thoroughly entrepreneurial and innovative university, that would be funded through a mix of sources such as the government, community, industry, and other stakeholders without exerting unnecessary pressure on the finances of the State” said Oyetola.
“What this means from the word ‘go’, is that this is a university that is undoubtedly going to be unique, because it is being carefully nurtured to be inoculated from the perennial challenges that plague an average public university in the country, but benchmarked against the best global practices,” he added.
According to Oyetola, the state government had focused on sustained investment in education as part of efforts to drive its agenda and galvanize requisite human capital development.
Bill for upgrade from college to university
The State House of Assembly had on Monday, August 8th, 2022, passed into law the Bill seeking to upgrade the State College of Education, Ilesa to a university.
Governor Oyetola said the upgrade was not a fad but a conviction based on his government’s culture of deep engagement for greater productivity.
He said the rich profile of members of the Implementation Committee, comprising of eminent academics and professionals would help the College transit to a full-fledged University.
The Implementation Committee is chaired by a renowned educationist, Prof. Oluremi Aina, with former Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Prof. Labo Popoola; a former Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin University, Prof. Yemisi Obilade; a former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Lead City University, Prof. Jide Owoeye; Pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Prof. Sola Akinrinade; Professor of English Language and Applied Linguistics, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun and Mr. Rasheed Sarumi serving as members.
Speaking on behalf of other members, chairman of the Committee, Prof. Oluremi Aina, promised not just to meet the set target but to also surpass outlined expectations.
He said: “Going by the caliber of people and personalities in this Committee, I am confident we will deliver on our mandate. I commend Mr. Governor for organizing this team. I am assuring you that we will not let you down”.
According to Prof Aina, since members of the Committee had given their consent to serve with diligence and commitment, a quick actualisation of the upgrade of the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa to a full-fledged University would be achieved without much ado.
Emmanuel Ukoh
