I’ll make OSUTECH an institution of first choice, revive Agagu’s legacies, says Akeredolu

THE candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has promised to transform the state University of Technology at Okitipupa (OSUTECH) from what he termed “glorifying secondary school” to an institution of first choice.

He also promised that, if voted into power, all the legacies of the immediate past governor of the state, late Dr Olusegun Agagu which he alleged that the outgoing Mimiko-led administration has abandoned, shall be revived.

Akeredolu, who spoke on Friday at Igbotako when his campaign team visited the palace of the Rebuja of Osoro land, Oba (Dr) Gbadebo Rebuja, said it was unfortunate that, eight years after OSUTECH was established, the institution was yet to produce a graduate.

Akeredolu also vowed to revive the dreams of Agagu for Olokola Free Trade Zone, regretting that despite its attendant benefit to the state, the Mimiko administration allowed the OKLNG at Olokola to be relocated to Epe in Lagos State.

“The incumbent governor, my friend, Mimiko, claimed to be the closest governor to former President Goodluck Jonathan yet, under his watch, the Federal Government and Alhaji Aliko Dangote relocated the Olokola Liquefied and Natural Gas Project sited at Olokola to Epe, Lagos.

“I have studied extensively, the policy paper of Olokola Free Trade Zone. I must confess that I envy those who formulated the concept. If the blueprint of Olokola had been aggressively implemented, poverty would have been a history in Ondo State, today.

“It is now almost nine years that the University of Technology at Okitipupa was founded by our big brother, late Agagu, but the institution has not produced a graduate. This is unfortunate and sad. I will correct this injustice when we get there. OSUTECH will become an institution of first choice within two years when will get to office.” He said.

Akeredolu also said he has gathered together a consortium of experts and foreign investors that would establish a Coastal Sea Port in Ilaje/Ese Odo council areas of the state which it is targeted at boosting the economy of the state.

“Today, Lagos and Port Harcourt Sea Ports are overloaded. They are now congested. We will engage in Public Private Partnership to establish a coastal sea port in Ilaje/Ese Odo council areas which will turn around the economy of this senatorial district and the state in general.

Oba Bajowa, while responding, described Akeredolu as an encyclopaedia of knowledge. The paramount ruler of Osoro land said a character like Akeredolu is needed in power.

He prayed to God to grant Akeredolu and his running mate, Agboola Ajayi, their hearts desires.

Aside Igbotako, the headquarters of Osoroland, the Akeredolu campaign team also visited Ijuodo, Ilutitun, Odeaye and Okitipupa, the headquarters of Okitipupa council area.