Oyo state assembly moves to take over varsity ownership

The Oyo state ministry of justice and its educational counterpart have been summoned by the State House of Assembly over the ownership status of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.

They are slated to appear before the assembly on Tuesday, September 27.

The summon was followed by a motion titled, “Reviewing the Joint Ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology: A Step toward Sole Ownership by Oyo State Government,” by Mrs Olawunmi Oladeji (Ogbomoso North/LP) and co-sponsored by nine other lawmakers at the plenary session on Thursday.

Mrs Oladeji noted that the move would allow for the critical issues and crisis tormenting the institution since co-owner, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, failed to fulfil his state’s financial responsibility to the institution, to be addressed.

“Osun State Government has defaulted, particularly in the payment of salaries of the institution’s members of staff for about 15 months.

“This has made it difficult for the smooth-running of LAUTECH.

“The Internally Generated Revenue of the institution, which is meant for the payment of gratuity, pension of retirees, as well as other developmental projects within the university, has been depleted.

“This is due to the fact that the money is being used for the payment of workers’ salaries.

“This calls for the total hand-off of Osun Government from running of the university, and allows the Oyo State Government to take charge of sole and full ownership.”

Contributing to Mrs Oladeji's standpoint, Adesina (Ibadan South-East I/Accord), emphasised the need to resolve the issue of joint ownership of LAUTECH since Osun established its university and was no longer ready to fund it.

The Chairman, House Committee on Parliamentary Matters, Mr Olusegun Ajanaku (Ibadan South-West II/APC), agreed, saying that the issue of LAUTECH was a national matter, adding that the issues require much more work between both parties involved.

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He also urged the people of Ogbomoso to maintain patience and allow for amicable resolution of the issues between the two parties.

The cosponsors include, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Musah Abdulwasi (Saki West/APC); the majority leader, Mr Kehinde Subair (Ibadan South-West I/APC); Mr Peter Oyetunji (Surulere/Ogo-Oluwa/LP); Mr Akeem Oladipo (Ibadan North West/APC) and Mr Jimoh Akintunde (Ibarapa North & Central/APC), Mr Afeez Adeleke (Iseyin/Itesiwaju/APC), Mr Fatai Adesina, Ibadan South East I/Accord) and Mr Lukman Balogun (Oorelope/LP).