Makinde mandates committee to divorce Oyo/Osun’s joint ownership of LAUTECH

OYO State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, inaugurated the Oyo State Negotiation Committee on ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, with a clear mandate that the committee should secure a divorce of Oyo from Osun State in joint ownership of the university.

According to Makinde, the push for divorce in joint ownership of LAUTECH stemmed from a continued stay in an alliance that was not working.

Makinde who asserted that sole ownership was a solution to the myriad of problems that have bedevilled the university over time, allayed fears that Oyo State was not capable to solely manage LAUTECH.

Speaking at the inauguration held at governor’s office, Makinde said the 2020 budget already captured overheads and capital expenditure for the university at N2.09billion while the government may also explore the opposition of presenting a supplementing budget.

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Named as members of the five-man committee are former minister of state for the FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; former governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Bolaji Ayorinde; Oyo State Commissioner for Justice, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo and his Education, Science and Technology counterpart, Professor Dahud Sangodoyin while Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan chapter, Professor Ayodeji Omole is to serve as Chairman.

While handing down an initial four weeks timeline for the committee to turn in its preliminary reports, Makinde said the divorce sought from Osun in ownership of LAUTECH did not debar further relationship with Osun State in other aspects.

“You will recall that whilst on the campaign trail, I made it clear that I have come across information that I believe may have misled the Supreme Court into co-joining Osun State and Oyo State as owners of LAUTECH.

“I have also always advocated that the issues affecting the institution will be better managed if only one of the two states is in charge of this school. It is obvious that this alliance is not working.

“In the past couple of years, epileptic strike actions by lecturers have led to students spending more time in the university than they originally bargained for. The latest strike is going into its second week.

“I think it is unfair to the students, the lecturers and the ancillary businesses domiciled in Ogbomoso that depend on the university. Your one job is to, in a manner of speaking, secure a divorce for us.

“We are ready and able to shoulder the responsibility of sole ownership of LAUTECH. The Oyo State 2020 budget already captures overheads and capital expenditure for the university at N2.09 Billion Naira. We will fund any additional expenditure which may arise from sole ownership with a supplementary budget, if necessary. The alliance is not working,” Makinde said.

Committee Chairman, Professor Ayodeji Omole, in his acceptance remarks, assured of delivering findings based on facts and figures and hinged on integrity.

“We know the job is simple but difficult. I want to promise, on behalf of the committee, that we will discharge our responsibility with integrity and courage.

“The job of this committee is not about Oyo State alone; the university is a universal entity. The engineering being taught in LAUTECH is the same being taught in Manchester so we cannot afford to lower the standard.

“This job is service to the nation and I promise we will discharge it within the level of our ability. By the time we will be making our submission, it will be based on facts and figures, viable data,” Omole said.