Education
Makinde inaugurates Oyo’s 5-man committee on LAUTECH ownership
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday inaugurated a 5-member Committee to work with a similar Committee from Osun State to deliberate on the ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
He maintained that though Osun and Oyo states would continue to remain brothers in other areas, the Committee’s mandate is to resolve the perennial challenges facing the University due to ownership crisis, by securing a divorce.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted Governor Makinde as saying that the Oyo State Government was ready to shoulder the responsibility of sole ownership of the institution in order to ensure its smooth running in the interest of the over 30,000 students population, 1,200 workforce and the economy of Ogbomoso in particular and Oyo State in general.
The Committee, which was inaugurated by the Governor at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, had as its chairman Professor Deji Omole of the University of Ibadan.
Other members include a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN); Oyo State’s Commissioner for Education, Professor Dahud Shangodoyin and his counterpart in the Ministry of Justice, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Governor said: “I was at LAUTECH yesterday to assess things in the institution with over 30,000 students and more than 1,200 staff members. There are hundreds of thousands of naira in daily income of dependent businesses. So, each time the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, shuts down due to non-payment of salaries or any other issues faces the institution, everyone suffers.
“This is because LAUTECH is not just a centre of academic activity in Ogbomosho, Oyo State. Most commercial activities in this town revolve around the institution, and since anything that affects the socio-economic dynamics of any setting of Oyo State affects us all, we must give these challenges due attention.
“It is for this reason that we are inaugurating this five-persons committee today. And why do we need a committee to take charge of the LAUTECH delegations? For some of us that read the Bible, you will recall a dispute and I’m sure there will be something similar in the Holy Quran as well. There was a dispute that took place between Abraham and Lot’s servant; they quarreled 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 sought a workable solution. So, this solution involved parting of ways.
“You will also recall that while on the campaign trail, I made it clear that I have come across information that I believed may have misled the Supreme Court into co-joining Oyo State and Osun 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 last couple of years, epileptic strike action of lecturers has led to students spending more time in the university than they originally bargained for. More so, there is a strike ongoing right now which is going into the second week. I personally think that it is unfair to the students, the lecturers and the ancillary businesses domiciled in Ogbomosho that depend on the university.
“Well, to the members of this committee, your one job is to, in a manner of discipline, secure a divorce for us. We are ready and able to shoulder the responsibility of sole ownership of LAUTECH. In the Oyo State 2020 budget, we have already structured overhead and capital expenditure for the University. At a budgetary proposal of about N2.09 billion. We will fund any other additional expenditure which may arise from sole ownership with the supplementary budget if necessary.
“My dream is that LAUTECH becomes the 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 in joint ownership. Let me say that we are not declaring war on Osun State or the State of Osun as the case may be. We do not begrudge them, just as in the story, Abraham and Lot held no grudges against one another after they separated. So, 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.
“Therefore, I urge you to put your heart into this work and bring us results in the shortest possible time. And to ensure that the work is done in a candid manner, we want to see what can be achieved in the initial four weeks. We have set a preliminary report in the four weeks and please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.
“The Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Professor Daud Sangondoyin, is a member of this committee. So, I am sure he will be a nice bridge between the establishment here and the committee but I am also available day or night.
“If you need to reach out to any other member of this team, feel free. Whatever it is that you require, we will make it available. So, in the course of this work, I expect that our brothers in Osun State may reach out to you. I also believe several generations of Oyo State will be glad because you have been able to do this for them.”
Responding on behalf of the Committee, its chairman, Prof. Omole, appreciated the Governor for the opportunity offered them, promising that the Committee would take the assignment given to it with integrity and courage.
He added that the committee’s submissions will be based on facts and figure.
Omole said: “We know the job given to us looks very simple but it is be difficult. I want to, on behalf of this committee, promise that we will discharge our responsibility with integrity and courage. Yes, it is the Governor of Oyo State who is inaugurating this committee but the job of this committee is not about Oyo State alone. The University itself is a universal entity. The Engineering course being taught in LAUTECH is the same Engineering that is being taught in Manchester University.
“We cannot afford to lower the standard. So, this job is a service to the nation and I promise that we will discharge it within the level of our activity, once again, with integrity and courage. “You can rest assured that by the time we will be making our submission, it will be based on facts and figures and verifiable data will be presented.
“I am not a lawyer but a scholar and I know the implication of having two fathers. Let me also correct an impression, I am here as Deji Omole because when you say Chairman of ASUU, people will begin to think that this assignment is given to ASUU. This assignment is given to Deji Omole. So, I promise to do my best.”
The Oyo State Government has announced the appointment of Mr. Adewunmi Joseph Ogunjimi as the Acting Registrar and Mr. David Olukola Taiwo as the Acting Bursar of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
According to a statement released by Soladoye Adewole, the Polytechnic’s Public Relations Officer, the appointment letters were issued on behalf of the State Government by the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, and were dated 8th April. These appointments were endorsed by the Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Taiwo Lasisi.
Adewunmi Joseph Ogunjimi, the newly appointed Acting Registrar, brings a wealth of administrative experience to his new role. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Deputy Registrar of the Directorate of Academic Affairs at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Ogunjimi holds a B.Sc degree in Psychology from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and an MSc in Industrial Psychology from the University of Ibadan.
His journey in academia began at Prospect High School, Aba Nla, where he completed his secondary education between 1973 and 1978. Ogunjimi’s tenure at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, spans several years, during which he held various administrative positions, showcasing his prowess as an administrative wizard.
David Olukola Taiwo, the newly appointed Acting Bursar, comes with extensive experience in financial management. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Chief Accountant at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Taiwo began his career at the institution in March 1994, joining as an Accountant II. Over the years, he climbed the ranks to become the Chief Accountant in 2015. Taiwo holds multiple qualifications in accounting and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCE).
His contributions within the Bursary Department, including roles such as Head of the Treasury Unit and Head of the Final Accounts Unit, underscore his proficiency in financial matters.
Both Ogunjimi and Taiwo are described as family-oriented individuals, happily married and blessed with responsible children.
The appointments of Mr. Adewunmi Joseph Ogunjimi and Mr. David Olukola Taiwo signify a new chapter in the administrative landscape of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, as they assume their respective roles with dedication and expertise.
Education
UI’s 545th inaugural lecture: Pogoson urges Tinubu to review foreign policy amid global shifts
Professor Aituaje Irene Pogoson, a scholar at the University of Ibadan (UI), has emphasised the pressing need for a more coherent elucidation of President Bola Tinubu’s 4-D renewed foreign policy doctrine.
This assertion was made during her delivery of the university’s 545th inaugural lecture entitled “The World in Transition: Understanding Power in the International System.”
Addressing a diverse audience including prominent academics and former Vice-Chancellors, Professor Pogoson underscored the imperative for Nigeria to confront a myriad of socio-economic and political challenges to assert its position in the evolving global landscape.
The lecture, marking the 14th in the series for the 2022/2023 academic session and the 11th inaugural lecture from the Department of Political Science, highlighted the urgency for Nigeria to recalibrate its foreign policy strategy.
Speaking passionately, Professor Pogoson, the first female lecturer and Head of the Department of Political Science at the university, lamented Nigeria’s current positioning within the global order, stressing the need for the country to maintain respect and relevance internationally.
She emphasised the necessity for Nigeria to re-strategize and re-formulate its foreign policy framework to effectively address both internal and external dynamics.
In analysing President Tinubu’s administration’s efforts towards repositioning Nigeria on the global stage, Professor Pogoson acknowledged the unveiling of ‘Nigeria’s 4-D Renewed Foreign Policy Doctrine,’ comprising Democracy, Demography, Development, and Diaspora.
However, she urged for a clearer articulation of this doctrine, advocating for concrete policies and actions to be outlined.
This marked Professor Pogoson’s third public lecture at the university, following her previous engagements addressing issues ranging from terrorism and national security to global power shifts.
President Bola Tinubu marked a significant milestone on Wednesday as he officially signed the National Students Loan Amendment bill into law during a brief ceremony held at the State House.
The event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy President of the Senate Barau Jibrin, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Ministers Hannatu Musawa and Ayodele Olawande, as well as the president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, alongside other government officials and presidential aides.
The bill, initially endorsed by Tinubu in June 2023, aims to provide crucial financial assistance to Nigerian students pursuing tertiary education. Despite its previous signing, the implementation of the bill encountered delays attributed to various challenges hindering its rollout.
In his remarks following the signing, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the National Assembly for their swift handling of the bill, emphasising the pivotal role of education in combating poverty.
He stated, “First of all, I must thank members of the National Assembly for their expeditious handling of this bill considering the children of Nigeria, that education is the tool to fight against poverty effectively.”
Tinubu reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritising education and fostering skills development programmes to ensure equitable access to quality education for all Nigerian citizens, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds.
He underscored the importance of eliminating barriers to education, stating, “We are determined to ensure that education is given the proper attention necessary for the country including skills development programmes. This is to ensure that no one, no matter how poor their background is, is excluded from quality education and opportunity to build their future.”
Highlighting the significance of the bill, Tinubu emphasised the transformative impact it will have on addressing the issue of college dropout rates among Nigerian students.
He affirmed, “We are here because we are all educated and were helped. In the past, we have seen a lot of our children drop out of college and give up the opportunity. That is no more, the standard and the control is there for you to apply no matter who you are as long as you are a Nigerian citizen.”
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