Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said his administration would set up a special intervention fund to address infrastructure and academic gaps at the College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin Campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
The governor stated this on Saturday, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at his office.
He said what would be captured under the intervention fund included accommodation for students and lecturers; Information Technology Centre, healthcare center, and buses to ease mobility for students and lecturers.
Makinde, while responding to some of the issues raised by the stakeholders, said the Oyo State Government had invested about ₦15 billion on the campus, stating that it would not shy away from taking necessary steps to ensure that the Iseyin Campus thrives.
The governor, however, warned that staffers, students and residents of the host community must shun indiscipline and actions that can add to the teething problems of the fledgling institution.
He added that his administration would continue to provide necessary support to the education sector in the state.
He stressed that the stakeholders, especially students and lecturers must cooperate with the government and the Governing Council of the institution.
Makinde charged the students to always discuss their requests with the government, rather than resorting to protests, which can result in vandalism.
The governor, while allaying fears over the future of the Iseyin Campus, said: “For the Iseyin Campus, I am prepared to put in a special intervention fund to hasten your settling down as quickly as possible.
“I want the Vice-Chancellor to, within a week, give me a list of the things needed by the campus. Let everyone sign; the students, the lecturers and all stakeholders. We will put up an intervention fund for the campus.
“This will be a special intervention from the Oyo State Government. We should be able to conclude on that within the next two weeks.”
Addressing the students, Makinde said: “This is a listening administration. We don’t want you to protest. If you have challenges, bring them forward, we will discuss and find a solution to them.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman Governing Council, Professor Ayodeji Omole, lauded Governor Makinde for his efforts, which led to Oyo State’s sole ownership of LAUTECH.
The efforts, he added, also led to the relocation of all the students of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Science from the main campus of the university in Ogbomoso to the Iseyin Campus.
In their separate remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Razak Kalilu; President and Secretary of the Global Alumni of the University, Mr Olalekan Badmus and Professor Ige Oladiran; and President, Iseyin Development Union, Alhaji Mubasiru Azeez, appreciated the governor for fulfilling the institution’s dream by solving the ownership debacle and the establishment of the College in Iseyin.
They appealed to the governor to come to the aid of the campus with the provision of some facilities.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Mr Olaobaju Israel thanked the governor for his visit to the campus recently, which he said had birthed some positive developments on the campus.
Also in his remarks, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola, pledged the support and cooperation of the people of Iseyin for the success of the university.
He also cautioned students of the institution to always present their requests without destroying properties and causing unrest in the community.
