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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Thursday, expressed his readiness to write officially to the National Universities Commission (NUC), for the conversion of the state-owned Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), from a university of technology to a conventional university.
The governor, expressed optimism while receiving the report of the negotiation committee on LAUTECH, held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan. Makinde pointed out that the plan became expedient in order to put the institution on the path of a world-class university.
His words:-
“So it is now time to move forward with our plans. We would apply to the National Universities Commission to convert from a University of Technology to a conventional university so that courses such as Law can be taught at the institution.
We would appoint the Governing Council for the courses, to reflect the new ownership and this governing council would birth new management within the next couple of weeks.”
“Well, we were not insisting on parting ways because we do not love our brothers and sisters in Osun State, No.
As I have said on several occasions, this severance of relationship is not going to negatively impact the students and staff from Osun State, but it had to be done for the sake of easier administration and to move LAUTECH as an institution towards our goal of a world-class university.”
“In fairness to all, this was the only solution. So, let me once again use this opportunity to thank my Brother, the Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, for putting aside all differences especially partisan politics all through these negotiations. We appreciate the applied wisdom in taking a stand for what is best for the students and staff of LAUTECH.”
“Today, I am happy to officially receive the report. I see you have returned as brave warriors having fulfilled your mandate.
I remember that on that day of the inauguration, Professor Ayodeji Omole, who serves as the committee’s Chairman promised that they would discharge their duties with integrity and courage and I must say kudos because the committee has done exactly that so, on behalf of myself, the Oyo State’s Executive Council, the staff and students of LAUTECH, the people of Ogbomoso in particular and the good people of Oyo state as a whole, we say thank you for a job well done. Thank you for getting the job done.”
“I also thank Professor Olu Aina who led the negotiation for Osun State. I visited National Universities Commission who midwife the negotiations. I am pleased to say that I have signed the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso bill 2020 into law.”
“Let me use this opportunity to remind us all one more time that the safety and security of Oyo state is everybody’s business. We must not allow any individuals or groups to disrupt the economic gains that we have made so far,” the governor added.
Earlier while presenting his report to the governor, the chairman of the committee, Prof. Ayodeji Omole said the committee was quick to understand that its mission was to salvage the university from total collapse to realise Makinde’s vision of the institution as “a university of technology that people from Africa and indeed the world aspire to attend.
He recalled that the process of negotiating sole ownership of LAUTECH was engaging, energy-sapping, time and money consuming, and interesting, adding that there were assets valuation and forensic audit of the university to prepare for the negotiation.
