LAUTECH: Landowners appeal to Oyo, Osun govts over payment of compensation
Yinka ADETUNJI
Ogbomoso was agog in 1990 following the establishment of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, by the military administration of Col. Sasaenia Adedeji Oresanya, in the community, which lacked a government-funded higher institution until then.
Great enthusiasm greeted the prospect. Ogbomoso allotted the former site of Ogbomoso Girl’s High School, which was relocated, for the new university.
Tens of hectares of land were allocated to the institution then known as Oyo University of Technology (OSUTECH). On the basis of Land Use Decree 1978, all land belongs to the government. However, when government takes over a land for development, it often rewards original landowners with monetary compensation.
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The landowners at LAUTECH were expectant too but up to the time of filing this report, no compensation has been paid and the victims are crying, it is learnt.
“My people of Ile Agunbiade of Isale Afon Ogbomoso are one of the major land owners of LAUTECH land. Since about 34 years ago or so we have not been compensated, not one kobo,” a representative of the family, Engr Simon Adewole Adeshina, told ogbomosoinsightonline.com as he decried the “shabby treatment” he said the families are subjected to on the matter.
According to findings, the Olugbon family of Orile-Igbon has the largest land in LAUTECH.
“The Olugbon family has over 98 percent of the land of LAUTECH over which compensation was not paid,” a member of the family who spoke on the condition of anonymity said.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of LAUTECH, Mr. Fadeyi remarked, “that question should be directed at the state government.”
An official of the Oyo state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, informed that he knew nothing about payment of compensation to landowners in the school. “But l am aware the state gave compensation to the land owner where Ogbomoso Girl’s High School was relocated at Oke-Anu.”
The Agunbiade family’s spokesman, Engr Adeshina, who contested Oyo North senatorial district on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in 2011 and 2019, lamenting the “humongous” loss to the family, said, “Our children, grand children and even unborn children’s inheritance have been taken away from them forever.”
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He observed that while Osun state government that owns no land at LAUTECH received huge money as compensation the real land owners are left with nothing and gnashing their teeth.
“Government is proving difficult. Since 20 years ago we started the request for compensation after allowing the universty to take off. But funny enough Osun government has been paid the cost of their share of asset in LAUTECH, about N8 billion, while Oyo state government retained N92b worth of assets. Osun has no land in LAUTECH but were paid off including the value of the land of the asset shared to them sits on. So we plead with the Oyo state governor to pay compensation for the value of our land, which is an inheritance. We also appeal to Osun state government to do same, from the value of the assets shared to them.”
He further posited that if worked out the compensation for land owners would amount to about N15b citing a developer’s submission.
“Developers and properties’ consultants say land value in an asset is about 10-20% depending. If total asset valued in 2020 is N100 billion, then our compensation average is about N15billion. At least to assuage the loss of d inheritance, we should be rewarded.”
He disclosed about 15 families own the land at LAUTECH confirming the Olugbons own the largest parcel.
“There are about 15 families including the Olugbons. But Agunbiade family has the 2nd largest land mass (village settlement) after the Olugbons. We want the public to be aware of this and help us appeal to the two governments of Oyo and Osun. I want to say that an uneasy comfort is brewing amongst the land owners of LAUTECH.”
When spoken with via phone the reigning Olugbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, corroborated Engr Adeshina, however expressing joy that the university is named after a descendant of Olugbon – Late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, former Premier of defunct Western Region.
“I will take it up sometime. Olugbon family owns the largest part of the land. The Olugbon family owns vast expanse of land especially in time past.
“I however have joy that the institution is named after an Olugbon illustrious son. But l will take it up sometime,” the Vice Chairman of the Oyo State Traditional Council.noted.
