Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde said on Monday that the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, can now fulfill its purpose as a university, following the termination of the joint ownership with Osun State.
Governor Makinde, who was addressing students of the institution, who gathered at the Governor’s office, Agodi, Secretariat, Ibadan, led by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Federation of Oyo State Students (FOSSU), also hinted that the institution may soon become multi-campus.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that he will continue to work for the progress of the university.
The governor said it was, indeed, a pleasure to have the students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology “come here this afternoon to show appreciation for what the government has done. The bottomline was when you were singing “Seyi sa ma sin wa lo’’ (Seyi, continue to lead us).
“Yes, indeed I came to you to beg for your support for me to be able to serve you and you gave me the opportunity and serving is what we are doing. It is what we will continue to do till the end of this administration.”
He also told the students that it was time they allowed the state to feel the impact of the institution on the economy of Ogbomoso and Oyo State, saying: “I’m glad. My only advice is that LAUTECH is a university and university came from the word universal, so please, we have an opportunity now to feel the impact of LAUTECH on the economy of Ogbomoso, the economy of Oyo State and the economy of this country, Nigeria.
“LAUTECH has the opportunity now to be the citadel of learning and research and finally, LAUTECH has the opportunity to be multi-campus. It will happen.”
Earlier, the chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) JCC, Oyo State Chapter, Mr. Opakunle Oluwafunmbi, said that the purpose of their visit was to appreciate Governor Makinde over the takeover of LAUTECH by Oyo State.
“It is a great pleasure and a great opportunity that we are here today to actually appreciate Your Excellency for the kind gesture to us in LAUTECH and its community.
“It has been hearsays that we had been hearing up and down. But it’s great news to us and to the entire mass of LAUTECH that we are able to have authentic news on LAUTECH.
“So, this morning, with my colleagues, fellow LADOKITES, we tender our unreserved gratitude to you that we appreciate what you have done in LAUTECH and what you will still do in years to come.”
Also, the Student Union President of LAUTECH, Mr. Olabiyi Anthony, thanked Governor Makinde for making Oyo State’s sole ownership of LAUTECH a reality.
He appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to ensure that there is drastic reduction in the fees paid by the students which has made schooling become unattractive to some of them.
He promised their unalloyed support and cooperation with his government.
The visit had in attendance the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Seun Fakorede; Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Mr.Victor Olojede, as well as hundreds of students of the university.
