LAUTECH Crisis: Ajimobi, Aregbesola pledges irrevocable commitments

Following the lingering crisis rocking the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and his counterpart from ‎Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola on Wednesday evening pledged their irrevocable commitment to the joint ownership of  the institution in accordance with establishment laws.

This was part of both governments resolution at the end of a four-hour meeting held at the Oyo State Governor’s office in Ibadan.

The institution had in recent times faced the challenges of funding from its owner states, which they hinged on the economic challenges bedevilling the nation.

Ajimobi, who addressed journalist after the meeting, appealed to the institution’s academic staff to resume academic activities while they address their grievances.

He also disclosed that a visitation panel to be headed by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) will review the current terms of engagement with a view of consolidating the joint ownership.

Other members of the panel are Hon Rasheed Afolabi(Osun), Prof. (Mrs) Akinola (Osun), Prof. Sola Fajana (Osun), Dr Tunji Olaopa (Oyo), Prof. Ayo Salami (Oyo) and Mr S. A Raji(Oyo).

The panel has Mrs A. O. Makanjuola, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology as Secretary.

The Olanipekun panel was expected to conduct an audit into the institution’s sources and application of funds while proposing strategies for overall improvement of its quality of education and service delivery.

The governor said they regretted the current challenges of funding and management confronting the institution and restated their commitment to moving the institution forward.

“We have both agreed on the necessity for a comprehensive restructuring of the institution to ensure fair and effective development.We also agreed on the distribution of academic resources, physical structures and other assets of the university across the two states to achieve national, regional and global reckoning,”he said.

Ajimobi said that they have both resolved to rededicate their efforts towards the development of mutually beneficial goals that would further cement their bond of friendship and brotherhood.

He said both governments enjoined residents, stakeholders, students, teachers and workers in the respective states to go about their lawful duties.

The owner governments urged them to resist any temptation to take laws into their hands, saying anyone that does otherwise would face the full wrath of the law.