Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has promised to set up a special intervention fund to address infrastructure and academic gaps at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin Campus.
Governor Makinde made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting held at his Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, the State Capital.
He highlighted some of the things that would be captured under the intervention to include accommodation for students and their lecturers; Information Technology Centre, ICT, Health Centre, and shuttle buses to ease mobility of students and lecturers.
Governor Makinde, while responding to some of the issues raised by the stakeholders, said the Oyo State Government had invested about N15billion on the campus, stating that it would not shy away from taking necessary steps to ensure that the Campus thrives.
The Governor, however, cautioned members of staff, students and residents of the host community against indiscipline and actions that could add to the challenges of the institution.
He charged the students to always discuss their requests with the Government rather than resorting to protests, which could result in vandalism.
Earlier,the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council of LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Professor Ayodeji Omole, lauded Governor Makinde for his efforts, which led to Oyo State’s sole ownership of Institution and 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, LAUTECH, Professor Razak Kalilu, the President and Secretary of the Global Alumni of the University, Olalekan Badmus, Professor Ige Oladiran; and the President, Iseyin Development Union, Alhaji Mubasiru Azeez, appreciated the Governor Makinde for fulfilling the institution’s dream by solving the ownership debacle and the establishment of the College in Iseyin.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Mr Olaobaju Israel appreciated the Governor for his visit to the campus recently, which he said had birthed some positive developments on the campus.
In a remark, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola, pledged the support and cooperation of his subjects for the success of the university, just as he cautioned students of the institution to always present their requests without destroying property and causing unrest in the community.