Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that his administration will set up a special intervention fund to address infrastructure and academic gaps at the College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin, a campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH ), Ogbomoso.
The governor stated this on Saturday, January 17, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Office of the Governor, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
According to him, among the things that would be captured under the intervention are accommodation for students and lecturers; Information Technology Centre, healthcare center, and buses to ease mobility for students and lecturers.
Responding to some of the issues raised by the stakeholders, Governor Makinde said that the Oyo State Government had invested about N15 billion on the campus, stating that it would not shy away from taking necessary steps to ensure that the campus thrives.
The governor, however, warned that staffers, students and residents of the host community must shun indiscipline and actions that could add to the teething problems of the fledgling institution.
He added that his administration would continue to provide necessary support to the education sector in the state, stressing that the stakeholders, especially students and lecturers must cooperate with the government and the Governing Council of the institution.
He charged the students to always discuss their requests with the government rather than resorting to protests, which can result in vandalism.
The governor, while allaying fears over the future of the Campus, said: “For the Iseyin Campus, I am prepared to put in a special intervention fund to hasten your settling down as quickly as possible.
“I want the Vice-Chancellor to, within a week, give me a list of the things needed by the campus. Let everyone sign – the students, the lecturers and all stakeholders. We will put up an intervention fund for the campus.
“This will be a special intervention from the Oyo State Government. We should be able to conclude on that within the next two weeks.”
Addressing the students, Makinde said: “This is a listening administration. We don’t want you to protest. If you have challenges, bring them forward, we will discuss and find a solution to them.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman Governing Council, Prof. Ayodeji Omole, lauded Governor Makinde for his efforts, which led to Oyo State’s sole ownership of LAUTECH and the relocation of all the students of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Science from the main campus of the university in Ogbomoso to the Iseyin Campus.
In their separate remarks, the Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH, Prof Razak Kalilu; the President and Secretary of the Global Alumni of the University, Engr. Olalekan Badmus and Prof. Ige Oladiran; and the President, Iseyin Development Union, Alhaji Mubasiru Azeez, appreciated the governor for fulfilling the institution’s dream by solving the ownership debacle and the establishment of the College in Iseyin.
They appealed to the governor to come to the aid of the campus with the provision of some facilities.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Mr Olaobaju Israel thanked the governor for his visit to the campus recently, which he said had birthed some positive developments on the campus.
Also in his remarks, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola, pledged the support and cooperation of the people of Iseyin for the success of the university, just as he cautioned students of the institution to always present their requests without destroying properties and causing unrest in the community.
The stakeholders’ meeting had in attendance the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Commissioner for Education, Hon Segun Olayiwola; Commissioner for Works, Hon. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola; Commissioner for Energy, Prof. Kehinde Sangodoyin; Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Ademola Ojo and the Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Sanni.
Others were the Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal; Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Alhaji Omokunmi Mustapha; Chairman, Iseyin Local Government, Hon Rasak Fadiran; and Senior Special Assistant on Student Affairs, Victor Olojede, among others.
