Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, on Tuesday, said his administration has taken steps in repositioning the state-owned Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, through massive infrastructural rehabilitation in the school.
Akeredolu who stated this during the inauguration of some new projects in the school said this manifested in the renovation of some abandoned projects in the university, saying the university was a museum of abandoned projects before his administration’s intervention.
According to the governor, the intervention led to the commissioning of the Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge; Principal Officer’s Quarters; and Privately Donated Buildings.
He said: ”You will recall that at the inception of our administration, we were really alarmed with the deplorable condition of things in the university, in terms of roads, workers welfare, buildings and other essential facilities incidental to a conducive learning environment.
“The deplorable situation in the university strengthened our resolve to change the narrative, by immediately commencing a gradual and systematic development of the university. You will remember that within our first hundred days in office, we had laid asphalt on the road from the Main Gate into the heart of the campus.
“Other areas of impact by our administration in making OAUSTECH a great university include: the completion of University Library; the completion of University Auditorium; and the completion of Administrative Building which were commissioned on the 13th August, 2020.”
Akeredolu noted that his administration, with the support of the ever-committed Council and the Management, was able to facilitate the donation of science equipment worth millions of Naira from Seeding Lab., USA.
“Again, OAUSTECH for over eight years was a One-School-University, with only School of Science offering ten programmes in three departments. Our intervention through improved funding enabled Council and Management to add two additional schools: the School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and School of Engineering and Engineering Technology. More schools are being planned and would start off soon after NUC approval.
“As a government, we will continue to do that which will enhance the rapid social, educational and economic development of our dear State. I am happy to note that all programmes due for National Universities Commission’s accreditations have been accredited. This has been accomplished as a result of our commitment to the development of the university.
“In line with our desire to make this university a world-class institution, it has been enlisted as a beneficiary of TETFund for the first time since inception. The university is at present having some interventions that can raise the status of the institution. I am glad to disclose that the first TETFund assisted Faculty building was delivered in 2021 and is already in use while a second one has reached 90 per cent level of completion.”
Akeredolu lauded the Governing Council for being able to save funds from the meagre Internally Generated Revenue of the university to complete the Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge and four units of Principal Officers’ Quarters that had been abandoned since 2009.
While acknowledging the contributions of well-meaning individuals to the development of the institution, the governor commended the family of the late Olusegun Agagu, who generously paid N30m for the completion of the Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge.
“The Council and Management have also been able to facilitate private support for this university which culminated in the donation of some projects.
Akeredolu however, said better days are coming for the University, and assured that his administration will continue to do its best to improve funding to the university and indeed to all tertiary institutions in the state.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the school, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa commended Akeredolu for the giant strides recorded in the institution, saying his vision is to build a bi-lingual, entrepreneurial, ICT driven and world-class university through teaching, research and community services.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Professor Akinbo Adesomoju said the narrative of the institution changed tremendously since the assumption of Governor Akeredolu in office.
Prof. Adesomoju also announced the naming of the University’s Senate Building after Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN. The University Senate Building is now known as the “Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Senate Building.”
Chancellor of OAUSTECH and Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba Dr Fredrick Akinruntan also lauded Akeredolu for supporting the governing council at ensuring that transparency and merit were employed in the appointment of the principal officers, especially the new Vice-Chancellor.
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