The clock is ticking, the expectation is high that baring any last minute change of policy, 200l students from the faculty of Agriculture, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso will resume for academic exercise of second semester in Iseyin, this is in fulfilment of the promise of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state.
Natives and residents of Iseyin and its environs will have a date with history, not only because that resumption will be the first insignia of university education in Oke-Ogun land, but because the host community must make the place habitable, comfortable and appealing to defeat the sinister motive of the opposing elements, whose perception of the movement is equal to aberration.
Since the inauguration of the campus along, Okeho road, in Iseyin, the hope of first university campus in the entire ten local government area of Oke-Ogun rose, and for the true lovers of the neglected zone, final resumption of students should call for celebration.
Oke-Ogun, one of the most industrious zones in the state had remained committed to concept of collaboration, it has supported people across other zones in the state. Politically, Oke-Ogun is an ally of those that have ruled the state in time past and now, even though, its development did not reflect her commitment.
From Late Lam Adesina to Chief Rasheed Ladoja, Oke-Ogun was a strong support base for the late governor General, Adebayo Alao Akala, and the fate of late Senate Abiola Ajimobi during his struggle for second term was sealed with enormous votes he garnered in the zone, yet development remained a mirage. It is therefore a sad reality that when the idea of moving faculty of Agriculture of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology to Iseyin, so many conspiracy theories rose to thwart such genuine move.
Commendations should be given to some notable voices in Ogbomoso land, who understand that life is all about give and take, most conspicuous is that fantastic elder state man, Dr Saka Balogun, who stood firmly with the policy of the state government, reminding some persona non grata, who perhaps might have suffered amnesia that the university remains property of the state government, to that extent, Governor Makinde is still the visitor. But this did not deter the bad belle over relocation of the faculty.
Apart from sponsoring the students to kick against the imminent relocation, all sort of de-marketing strategies are up in the sky, most recently was an unfunded claim that a room is being rented out in Iseyin for as much as 180,000 naira. This has been debunked as figment of the authors imaginations.
As we speak, some faceless elements from Ogbomoso zone, the area people of Oke-Ogun consider as ally are hell bent on setting across this noble move, whipping up sentiment with all form of caustic write ups, as if the institution is a private entity.
Oke-Ogun people have trusted others, they have worked with and supported other zones out of the belief that when the compass of development turned to her side, such level of support would be given but this movement is showing otherwise. As some non-entities are describing the location of the campus as unsafe, local and unbefitting of a university, rather an institute should be given instead of a university campus.therefore, the host community must not play into the waiting arms of the disgruntled elements.
Two years ago, when Jamb decided to post applicants out of their areas to sit for UTME, a number of jamb candidates were posted to centres in Oke-Ogun, cries among same set of people who are crying wolf today rented the air, a number of them even questioned the rationale behind posting their ‘wards from cities to villages’ such was the kind of hatred some harboured against a zone that is harmless as lilly.
With the imminent arrival of our new visitors to Iseyin, it is our prayers that the land of Oke-Ogun will be peaceful to them and they will have cause to smile. Welcome to Oke-Ogun, the food basket of Oyo state.
Dayo Ogunsola is a son of Oke-Ogun, he writes from Abuja. He can be reached via ogunsola.dayo@yahoo.com
