Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that the state now has the opportunity to restore the lost glory of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, following the termination of the joint ownership of the institution between Oyo and Osun state government.
The governor also said that the real work to reposition the university and take it back to the glorious days when it was adjudged the best state-run university had begun.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor made the remarks while speaking on Ibadan-based Fresh FM’s Political Circuit, on Saturday.
The statement added that Governor Makinde appreciated his Osun State counterpart, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, for his cooperation all through the discussions.
He also stated that with the amicable ending of the joint ownership, a situation that had bogged down the university for years, he was ready to reposition the institution in line with his campaign promise.
He added that Oyo State under his watch would readily reposition the school for excellence, noting that his administration’s drive to industrialise the state would get the much needed boost with an effectively run technology university like LAUTECH.
He said: “So, we give God all the glory. Now, the real work starts because we have to ensure that the university is properly funded so that it will be contributing to the economy of Ogbomoso in particular and Oyo State in general.
“If we are saying we want to industrialise the state and we have a university of technology adding value in Ogbomoso, the industrialisation effort can proceed very quickly.”
The governor further maintained that Oyo State was ready to fully shoulder the financial responsibilities of LAUTECH, as it had been doing since the beginning of year 2020.
He said that the state government had appropriated enough funds to the institution in the 2021 budget, adding that his administration would continue to discharge its responsibilities on the institution.
