Oyo, Osun reaffirm joint ownership of LAUTECH as Ajimobi, Aregbesola meet

The joint ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso was Wednesday evening affirmed as the governors of the two owner states met in Ibadan to end the crisis in the institution.

After a meeting which lasted for about three and half hours at the office of the Governor of Oyo the two states agreed to maintain the status quo.

There have been calls for the two states to agree to part ways on the joint ownership as some indigenes of Ogbomoso under the aegis of Ogbomoso Parapo accused Osun of tactically killing the institution with its alleged nonchalant attitude.

Reading the communique on behalf of his colleague shortly after the four hours meeting co-chaired by the two governors, and attended by their deputies and senior government officials from the two states, at the Oyo state Governor’s office, Governor Ajimobi, said the two states have agreed to an irrevocable commitment to the joint ownership of the University in accordance with the laws setting up the institution.

He said the owner states regret the current challenges of funding and management confronting the institution, calling for undaunting commitment to move the institution forward.

Ajimobi said the two states have reached a common ground on the necessity for a comprehensive restructuring of the institution to ensure fair and effective development and distribution of academic resources, physical structures and assets of the University across the two states in order to achieve national, regional and global reckoning.

The communique reads in part: “After a meeting co-chaired by the two governors, and attended by their deputies and senior government officials from the two states. The meeting regrets the current challenges of funding and management confronting the institution and restate commitment to moving the institution forward.

“The meeting thereafter stated that in view of the historical affinity and long relationship between the two states of Oyo and Osun, the meeting resolves to rededicate all efforts towards the development of mutually benefited goals that will further cement the bond of friendship and brotherhood between them.

“As brothers, sisters and family members of the same Yoruba ancestry, the meeting agreed that this should be a time of consolidation between the states rather than a time of fragmentation.

“Consequently, the meeting agreed to an irrevocable commitment to the joint ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso in accordance with the laws setting up the institution.

“The meeting also agreed on the necessity for a comprehensive restructuring of the institution to ensure fair and effective development and distribution of academic resources, physical structures and assets of the University across the two states in order to achieve national, regional and global reckoning.

Appealing to the striking workers of the institution to resume duty, Ajimobi said, “the two states appeal to the academic staff who are currently on industrial action to resume academic activities while amicable and sustainable solutions are being worked out to sort out their grievances”.

He added, “the duo states hereby enjoin all residents of the two states as well as other stakeholders including students, teachers and workers to go about their lawful duties and to resist any temptation to take the laws into their hands.

“The states warned that any one or group that does otherwise will face the full wrath of the law.

The owner states announced a legal luminary and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Chief Wole Olanipekun, as the Chairman Visitation Panel whose terms of reference include, among others, the review of the current terms of engagement with a view to consolidating the joint ownership, the conduct of an audit into the institution’s sources and application of funds as well as proposing strategies for the overall improvement in its quality of education and service delivery.

While other members of the Panel include: Hon. Rasheed Afolabi, Prof. (Mrs) Akinola, and Prof. Sola Fajana representing the state of Osun, whereas, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, Prof. Ayo Salami, and Barrister S.A. Raji representing Oyo state.