•Social commentator faults initiative.
THE initiative conceived and conceptualized by Almuni Association of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso dubbed #FundLAUTECH aimed at raising fund for the institution has generated a sum of N4 million (N4,091,089.15).
According to sources, the initiative which was activated 12 days ago has received donations from 74 people including the Ooni of Ile Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Senator Rashidi Ladoja , former governor of Oyo state and national leader of the Accord Party (AP) , and some members of the Oyo state House of Assembly among others.
Mega Icon Magazine reliably gathered that donations from the Ooni of Ife and Accord caucus in the House of Assembly are not included in the amount as Ooni’s cheque is yet to be presented , while the lawmakers are yet to present their donations as well.
Some Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo and Osun states were alleged of shying away from identifying and supporting the #FundLAUTECH concept because of its political implications and relationship with their respective governors.
Interestingly, a social commentator, Mr. Biodun Ladepo who took to his Facebook page (Biodun Ishola Ladepo) few hours ago faulted initiative, just as he expressed fear, saying that the promoters will succeed in getting a huge amount of money from the Ooni. He added that they will succeed in foisting guilt and guilty conscience on many others who will donate to the cause.
Ladepo further warned perceived donors stressing that their donations will be an exercise in futility or at best, a bandage on an open and festering sore.
In his words: “If you are able to fund Lautech this year (and I seriously doubt that enough money can be raised through this effort), how are you going to fund Lautech next year and the years after?
“Since when has a university been sustained through ‘babiAllah-type of funding? If you call yourself enlightened and you know the government is refusing to pump more money into an institution that lacks accountability, you should know the solution is not duping the generous individuals in our society into contributing money to the same unaccountable, bottomless pit of an institution.
“The Oyo State government claims Lautech has not accounted for the billions it has received during the past 15 -16 years…that the bursary cannot satisfy forensic auditors’ questions. And we want to keep pumping money there?
“This is one of the reasons I am opposed to wholesale subsidy of universities by government. If the school had to generate most of its funding, I bet the bursar and other administrators would be more transparent and more accountable”, he opined.
Refreshing your memory, the #FundLAUTECH initiative was launched 12 days ago to raise N1b in 3 months with the aim of providing financial assistance to the institution which is entangled in financial crisis.
