‘We’ll commence process of turning AUTECH Iseyin campus into full-fledged university,’ Makinde discloses

‘We’ll commence process of turning AUTECH Iseyin campus into full-fledged university,’ Makinde discloses

Yinka ADETUNJI

Oyo state governor Engr Seyi Makinde has assured that his administration would begin the process of making the Iseyin campus of LAUTECH an autonomous university.

Advertisement

The Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has disclosed move to make the Iseyin campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), a full-fledged university.

The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of LAUTECH was excised few years ago and taken to Iseyin in Oke-Ogun area to constitute a satellite campus. Though students, parents, lecturers and residents of Ogbomoso resisted the move but the governor had his way. This development made the agricultural Sciences study defunct in Ogbomoso. However, with this disclosure, the faculty might have started its journey back to its founding home.

Advertisement

ogbomosoinsightonline.com recalls many suggested then that an autonomous institution should have been founded in Iseyin instead of “killing” such successful and flourishing faculty as that of agric; and so, the idea of fragmenting LAUTECH was vehemently opposed.

Meanwhile, the governor Thursday was in Iseyin to commission a school building at LA Primary School, Oke-Esa, a project executed by a community leader, Ahmed Raji SAN, during which he gave the assurance in response to a request.

Advertisement

Raji speaking on behalf of community leaders and other stakeholders, appealed to the governor to make the Iseyin campus a self-governing university that will specialise in agriculture, renewable energy and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The legal luminary described the LAUTECH campus as a significant investment in the educational and economic future of Oke Ogun, urging the governor to take further steps towards granting the institution full autonomy as a university.

Explaining his rationale for donating the building, Raji said he was motivated to embark on the gesture when he saw the deteriorating condition of facilities at the school and the need to provide pupils with a more conducive learning environment.

Advertisement

He added that the building was also intended to immortalise one of Iseyin’s illustrious sons, Alhaji Omosalewa Owonikoko, after whom the edifice was named.

Community leaders and education stakeholders at the event commended Makinde and Raji for their respective contributions, expressing hope that the proposed university would expand educational opportunities and promote development in Iseyin and the wider Oke-Ogun area.

The governor responding assured the people that his administration would initiate the necessary processes, including submitting applications to the National Universities Commission (NUC) and developing a sustainable operational plan for the proposed institution.

Advertisement

“Regarding your request on the Iseyin Campus of LAUTECH becoming an autonomous university, we will go through the process.

“We will apply through the NUC, and I will carry out a sustainability study too. So, what you have asked for is done,” Makinde said.

Makinde thanked Raji for donating the building, describing it as a demonstration of the importance of private participation in education and community development.

“This building can stand anywhere in the world. It shows that no government can do everything alone. Those who are blessed must support the education of our children,” the governor said.

He urged well-meaning individuals to complement government efforts, stressing that sustainable development required contributions from both public authorities and private citizens.

Advertisement