Clement Adeyi, Osogbo
Osun State governor Gboyega Oyetola has said that the state is committed to the joint ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
He said his administration would not relent in its efforts to promote and support things that would strengthen the bond of the joint ownership of the university by Osun and Oyo states.
Oyetola spoke during a visit on Wednesday by the management of the university led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael Ologunde.
The governor promised more support to the university to maintain its standard.
He said his government remains resolute to meeting up with its responsibility as stipulated by the law on the joint ownership of the university to make the institution a great citadel of knowledge.
Oyetola described the university as a “fortune” to the citizens of Oyo and Osun states but decried what he described as the “lopsided pace of infrastructure development” of the university with a large concentration of facilities at the headquarters in Ogbomoso.
“We have always been committed to LAUTECH. We have always regarded the institution as a joint asset of Oyo and Osun states and we are committed to the ownership structure.
“As we are committed to ensuring equitable distribution of resources, so our administration will continue to support the university to maintain its standard and make it the best citadel of knowledge not
only in Nigeria but in Africa.
“Although the bulk of the infrastructure of the university is located at the headquarters (Ogbomoso) as seven and a half faculties of the university are located in Ogbomoso while only one faculty is located in Osogbo.
“We are looking up for more infrastructure development that will speak volumes of the reality of joint ownership.
“We remain, equal partners, as affirmed by the Supreme Court judgment which affirmed the joint ownership of the institution,” Oyetola said.
The vice chancellor commended the administration of Governor Oyetola for prioritising education.
He applauded the state government for being supportive of the development of the university.