The Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has expressed confidence in the university of Ilesa to measure up to the expectations of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Governor Oyetola expressed the belief while receiving the report of the university of Ilesa implementation committee led by professor Olú Aina in his office.
Speaking on what informed his administration’s decision to approve the conversion of Osun State College of Education to a full fledged university, the governor slighted numerous multi billion Naira projects executed by the Ijesas through communal efforts , urging other towns to follow suit.
According to him, “A community that builds a palace without asking other people to contribute to it, lo and behold, within a short period again, they have a centre made up of about 1. 2 billion naira. They have proven to me without any reasonable doubt that if indeed every community has this level of passion for development, whatever they ask for they should automatically have it.”
He stated further that funding would not be a problem for the university because the law establishing it was predicated on collaboration among government, community, stakeholders organizations and industries.
“I thank the team member professor Olú Aina for a wonderful job well done, it is on record that the university was processed within 3 to 4 months and I want to assure you that we will ensure implementation of all your recommendations here, the beauty of this one is the fact that it is not just a conventional university, it is designed to take care of professionalism, that is mining, agriculture, health sciences, ICT and things like that.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the implementation committee, Professor Olú Aina while presenting the committee’s report to the Governor reminded him of his charge to the 12 man committee at its inauguration on August 24, 2022, and stressed that the vision of the government is to increase access to quality education.
“It will be recalled that in November 2020, the Osun State government lost its part ownership of LAUTECH to Oyo State in order to put to rest the perpetual crisis over the management of the institution, today, we are happy to deliver to you, a unique partnership arrangement for the success of take off of a long terms Sustainable management of the university of Ilesa which I call the legacy to behold.”
Professor Aina said in keeping to the terms of reference for the committee, his team among others had worked with the Osun State Assembly to evolve q the appropriate law for the university, develop academic brief and fiscal master plan to ensure its systematic growth and development.
According to him the committee had developed other necessary documents relevant to meet the needs for certification by the NUC which was obtained on November 9, 2022 and put it in the league of beneficiary institutions of JAMB, NYSC and TETFUND.
“Using world standard processes and procedures, we have screened and recommended proven and credible individuals who we believe would be assets to pioneer the governing council, function as principal officers as well as the development foundation, we have also made adequate provisions for the smooth progression of the careers of staff and students of the defunct College of education.”
The principal officer designates are : Professor Kayode Ijaduola- VC, Oluwole Olalere Dada –Registrar, Mukaila Oyekanmi- Bursar, Dr Helen Komolafe Opadeji- Librarian, Dr Adedokun Oluwafemi Ojelabi- Director of Academic Planning, Babatunde Mathew – Director of Public Relations.
The presentation was witnessed by representatives of the University of Ilesa planning committee including the chairman, the Sawe of Ilesa, Chief Akinwande Akinola, The Lumobi of Imobi Ijesa, Oba Adetayo Haastrup, Barrister Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, Chief Afolabi Igbaroola, Wale Idowu, Femi Esan and Isaac Haastrup.