Oyo, Osun pledge irrevocable commitment to ownership

Oyo and Osun Governments have pledged their irrevocable commitment to the joint ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).

The state governments made the resolution at the end of a four-hour meeting at the Oyo State Governor’s Office in Ibadan.

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, appealed to the institution’s academic staff to resume academic activities while governments address their grievances.

Ajimobi said that a visitation panel, headed by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) had been inaugurated and empowered to review the current terms of engagement with a view of consolidating the joint ownership.

The Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs A.O. Makanjuola, is the Secretary of the panel.

The other members of the panel were: Rasheed Afolabi, Osun; Prof. Sola Fajana, Osun; Dr Tunji Olaopa, Oyo; Prof. Ayo Salami, Oyo; and Mr S. A Raji, Oyo.

According to the governor, the panel is expected to conduct an audit into the institution’s sources and application of funds, propose strategies for overall improvement of its quality of education and service delivery.

Ajimobi expressed regrets over the current challenges of funding and management confronting the institution and restated government’s commitment to moving the institution forward.

“We have both agreed on the necessity for a comprehensive restructuring of the institution to ensure fair and effective development.

“We also agreed on the distribution of academic resources, physical structures and other assets of the university across the two states to achieve national, regional and global reckoning,” he said.

Ajimobi said that they had both resolved to rededicate their efforts toward the development of mutually beneficial goals that would further cement their bond of friendship and brotherhood.

He said both governments enjoined residents, stakeholders, students, teachers and workers in the respective states to go about their lawful duties.

The owner governments urged them to resist any temptation to take laws into their hands, saying anyone that did otherwise would face the full wrath of the law.

LAUTECH became a joint property of Oyo and Osun following the splitting of the old Oyo state into two in 1991 by former military President Ibrahim Babangida’s administration.

The institution had in recent times faced the challenges of funding from its owner states, which they hinged on the economic challenges bedevilling the nation.