LAUTECH: It’s Not War, But We Will Become Sole Owner – Makinde

 Governor Seyi Makinde on Thursday moved to take over sole ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH declaring that the experiment of co-ownership had failed.

The governor, however, declared that the state government was not at war with the Osun State government even as he inaugurated a committee to realize the goal of sole ownership.

The committee which is chaired by Professor Ayodeji Omole, Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UI chapter has a former minister of state for the FCT, Chief Jumoke Akinjide; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Bolaji Ayorinde; Professor Oyelowo Oyewole (Oyo State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General) and Professor Dahud Sangodoyin (Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology) as members.

Speaking at the inauguration of the committee on Thursday, Makinde said:

“30,000 students. 1,200 staff. Hundreds of thousands of Naira in daily income from dependent businesses.”

“Each time the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH) shuts down due to non-payment of salaries or any other issue facing the institution, everyone suffers.” 

“This is because LAUTECH is not just the centre of academic activities in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, most commercial activities in this town revolve around this institution. And since anything that affects the socio-economic dynamics of any section of Oyo State affects us all, we must give these challenges due attention. It is for this reason that we are inaugurating this five-man committee today.” 

“Why do we need a committee to take charge of the LAUTECH deliberations?”

“For those who read the Bible, you will recall a dispute that took place between Abraham and Lot’s servants. They quarrelled over a well. The patriarch and his nephew came up with a solution that worked for both of them. No doubt each had their grievances. Yet, they sought a workable solution. This solution involved parting ways.”

“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 has 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.”

“My dream is that LAUTECH becomes that University of Technology that people from across Africa and indeed the world aspire to attend. Tertiary Education can become a revenue generator in Oyo State. But we cannot accomplish this with joint ownership.” 

“Let me state that we are not declaring war on Osun State, we do not begrudge them. Just as Abraham and Lot held no grudges against one another after they separated, we shall continue to collaborate with the good people of Osun State on other matters. But on this, we have to put our interest and the interest of the economy of Oyo State first.”

The chairman of the committee pledged to navigate what he said was a difficult job because of the interests involved towards finding a lasting solution.

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