Education

Makinde inaugurates Oyo’s 5-man committee on LAUTECH ownership

Published

7 years ago

November 27, 2019

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.”

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Education

ADC guber candidate, Adegoke decries 674,324 out-of-school children in Oyo

Published

1 week ago

August 18, 2026

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The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke, has expressed concern over the growing number of out-of-school children in the state.

Adegoke raised the concern on Monday in Ibadan, the state capital, while speaking at the inauguration of his campaign council.

He described the situation as worrisome, noting that urgent steps were needed to ensure that children of school age have access to quality education.

Mega Icon Magazine recalled that a recent report indicated that Oyo State has the highest number of out-of-school children in the South-West, with about 674,324 children between the ages of three and 17 reportedly out of school.

Adegoke said it was disturbing that the situation persisted despite the huge federal allocations accruing to the state.

He stressed the need for greater attention to education and grassroots development, saying local government autonomy would help drive human development and economic growth at the grassroots.

“Local government autonomy is a vital tool in grassroots human development and economic growth,” he said.

Education

Tinubu Appoints Adelabu Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ayede

Published

2 weeks ago

August 13, 2026

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Isiaka Tunji Adelabu as the substantive Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State.

The appointment, which took effect on August 5, 2026, was announced by the Acting Director of the Centre for Information, Communication and Public Relations (CICPR), Sunday Adepoju, on behalf of the institution.

Adepoju, in a statement, quoted the Registrar of the polytechnic, Akinlolu Akinpade, as saying that Adelabu’s appointment was approved by President Tinubu.

Until his appointment, Adelabu was a Chief Lecturer in the Department of Accountancy at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, where he also served as a Chartered Accountant.

He had held several administrative positions at the institution, including Head of Department, Dean of School and Deputy Rector (Administration).

His appointment, according to the polytechnic, brings to the institution a combination of academic experience and administrative exposure considered vital to its continued development.

Akinpade said Adelabu’s track record and experience would position him to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the institution.

He urged members of the polytechnic community to extend their full support and cooperation to the new Rector as he settles into office.

The Registrar said: “The support and cooperation of the entire polytechnic community will be crucial to enabling the new Rector to advance the vision and mission of the institution.”

With the appointment, Adelabu becomes the second substantive Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede.

The management, staff and students of the institution, as well as the Governing Council, congratulated Adelabu on his appointment and wished him wisdom, strength and the capacity to provide purposeful leadership and take the polytechnic to greater heights.

Education

MAKPOLY holds maiden Music Technology performance exam

Published

4 weeks ago

July 29, 2026

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Michael Adeniyi Koleosho Polytechnic, Saki, Oyo State, on Wednesday recorded a major milestone with the conduct of the maiden final-year performance examination for the pioneer student of its Department of Music Technology, marking a new chapter in the institution’s commitment to practical and creative education.

The examination, held at the TETFund Building of the School of Business and Communication Studies, featured Master Okegbola Moses Bright, the department’s first National Diploma student. Lecturers, students, family members and other guests gathered at the venue to witness what many described as a historic moment for the institution.

The practical assessment was coordinated by the Acting Head of the Department, Dr. Abegunrin Adebayo Olugbenga, while two external examiners from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Dr. Rotimi Ologududu and Dr. Abiodun Akere, evaluated the student’s performance. The Dean of the School of Business and Communication Studies, Mr. Waheed Popoola, and other senior officials of the polytechnic also attended the exercise.

Welcoming guests, Abegunrin described the occasion as a landmark in the department’s history, saying it signalled that the vision behind establishing the programme was becoming a reality.

He said, “Today marks a milestone not just for our department, but for Michael Adeniyi Koleosho Polytechnic. We are witnessing the stage performance of our very first Music Technology student. This is the first of many, and it shows that the seed we planted has begun to bear fruit.”

He explained that the performance examination is a compulsory practical requirement for the award of the National Diploma in Music Technology, adding that it is designed to assess students’ creativity, technical competence and stage performance.

“Music Technology is not just about theory; it is about performance, production and impact. Our pioneer student is setting the standard for those who will come after him,” he added.

Congratulating the student for blazing the trail, Abegunrin urged him to perform with confidence, passion and professionalism. He also encouraged other students in the department to remain focused and committed, assuring them that they, too, would have the opportunity to showcase their talents in due course.

Speaking on the department’s future, the acting head said plans were underway to expand its studio facilities, strengthen collaboration with industry players and build a programme capable of producing graduates with the skills to thrive in the music and creative industries.

“Our goal is to make this department a hub for sound production, live performance, music business and digital creativity in Oyo State and beyond,” he said.

Abegunrin thanked the management of the polytechnic for its continued support and expressed appreciation to the Dean of the School of Business and Communication Studies, members of staff and other stakeholders for their contributions to the growth of the Department of Music Technology, saying their commitment had been instrumental to the programme’s success.