Makinde receives the report on LAUTECH from Professor Omole |
The governor spoke Thursday in Ibadan while receiving the
report of the Oyo State negotiating committee on the institution.
He said the government will equally move the College of
Agriculture and Natural Sciences of the institution to Iseyin.
The Iseyin campus, he said, will open this year.
The decision to open the College of Agriculture and Natural
Sciences campus of LAUTECH comes seven days after Governor Makinde declared in
Iseyin that he would fulfil his electioneering promise of siting a higher
institution of learning in the ancient city.
Makinde said the Committee, led by Prof. Ayodeji Omole, was
assigned the responsibility of dissolving the joint ownership of LAUTECH
between Oyo and Osun states about fifteen months ago, stating that members of
the committee have fulfilled their mandate.
The governor appreciated the Committee for getting the job
done, while also lauding its Osun State counterpart, 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 these negotiations.”
“You will recall that I promised that we will announce the
creation of a higher institution of learning in Iseyin. A decision has been
taken and that decision is that the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences
will open its campus in Iseyin this year.
“When we inaugurated this committee on November 27, 2019, we
were barely six months in office. We gave the members a clear mandate: to secure
a divorce from Osun State in a manner of speaking and get Oyo State sole
ownership of LAUTECH.
“Today, I am happy to officially receive your report. I see
that you have returned as brave warriors, having fulfilled your mandate.
“On behalf of myself, 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, we say thank you for getting the job done.”
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.
“Even, when we were on the campaign trail, we had always
known that there were no two ways around resolving the incessant strike actions
and other issues related to LAUTECH ownership. We had several engagements with
stakeholders.
“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.
“In fairness to all, this was the only solution. So, let me,
once again, use this opportunity to thank my brother, the Executive Governor of
Osun State, His Excellency, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, for putting aside all
differences, especially partisan politics all through these negotiations.
“We appreciate his applying wisdom in taking his time for
what is best for the staff and students of LAUTECH,” he added.
The governor equally commended the NUC’s versatility during
the negotiations, stating that having signed the LAUTECH, Ogbomoso Bill 2020
into law, the state would apply to the NUC to convert LAUTECH from a university
of technology to a conventional university so that other causes could be
taught.
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, so that a course such as law can be taught at the institution.
“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.”
The chairman of the Committee, Prof. Omole appreciated the
governor for the privilege accorded the Committee to serve the state, stating
that “LAUTECH is now fully owned by the people of Oyo State of Nigeria.”
“The state civil service can boast of top-notch
professionals, who are competent in their various fields. In an attempt to cut
costs in the process of negotiation, the exorbitant bill that was presented for
the consultant on the evaluation of the university from 2010 to 2020 was turned
down.
“Rather, each state composed a team of professionals from
the civil service to form a Technical Committee and Valuation of Assets.
“I want to say the negotiation was conducted without losing
focus and candour. Let me put it on record that the two co-opted members of our
committee were of immense benefit to our team. Their experiences in
administration and conflict management became timely when the negotiation
almost broke down in the face of obvious disagreement, uncomfortable realities
and unrealistic expectations.
“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 committees thrived resolutely, confidently and successfully to achieve this mandate.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment