The joint ownership crisis rocking Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso was on Wednesday evening
resolved as the governors of the two owner states
met in Ibadan to end the crisis in the institution.
Aftter the reconciliatory 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 on the institution
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.
While reading the communique on behalf of his colleague
shortly after the four hours meeting co-chaired by the
two governors,attended by their deputies and some
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.
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