Worried by failure to have a government university in the area to meet the educational needs of its teeming youth population, the people of Oke-Ogun in the northern part of Oyo State covering 10 local governments, have initiated moves to establish university of their own.
Spearheading the project, the Oke-Ogun Development Council (ODC) at the weekend set up a committee to facilitate the establishment of the university at Agunrege community.
The committee is headed by a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Kehinde Yusuf.
At the inauguration programme held in Iseyin, the Deputy Governor of the state, Otunba Moses Alake-Adeyemo, assured the people of the area of government's support for the project. He also promised government’s full involvement in the running of the university.
According to the deputy governor, Ajimobi administration was appreciative of the unflinching support which the people gave it in the past years and, particularly during the last elections.
Adeyemo, who also hailed from the area, said that Governor Abiola Ajimobi was particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of Oke-Ogun people and will ensure that necessary developmental projects are brought to the area.
He said, “The state government will certainly see to it that Oke ogun University takes off before the end of its second term.”
In his keynote address, a university don, Professor Layi Egunjobi said that University as a growth pole often represents a catalyst for development in any area. He enjoined the committee to be steadfast, pointing out that the task before it was onerous but achievable.
“I like to congratulate the people of Oke ogun as it is my belief that this idea, because it is possible to conceive, is by faith already done,” he said.
Also speaking on the occasion, Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB), Prof Dibu Ojerinde, after underlining the importance of tertiary institution, admonished the people that setting up a university is not a tea party.
The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Otunba Niyi Otunla, represented by his Special Assistant, Mr. Yisau Adepoju, reminded them that university is a capital intensive project.
“It is important to identify ready sources of money that will always be there for the take-off and running of the institution,” he said.
He and Ojerinde suggested the idea of consortium for the purpose of raising funds for the proposed university.
Other members of the committee drawn from all the ten local government areas in Oke ogun include, Deacon S. A. Oyedemi, Prof D. A. Oyeleye, Mr. Mathew M. Ogunjimi, Barrister Bayo Toluwalase, Mr. Zaccheus Adepoju, Mr. Gbade Iyilade, Prof Oladapo Olaniyonu, Dr. Olusegun Olawoyin, Arch Niyi Kehinde, Dr. Olusegun Ajuwon, Prof. Tunji Akande, Prof A. Odekunle, Princess Oyenike Ayoola, Barrister Kehinde Abioye, Comrade Remi Adegbola, Prof Gbemi Remi Adeoti, Chief (Mrs.) Mary Aboyade and Prof. M. Fasasi.
Others include Prof O. Oladepo, Prof Babayemi, Chief Niran Bioku, Surveyor Ola Siyanbola, Prof Layi Oladele, Mr. Ademola Ojeleye, Dr Femi Dayo Ajayi,Dr Diran Olabisi, Dr Bolanle Wahab, Dr. Seyi Ige, Prof Layi Egunjobi, Prof Dele Layiwola, Dr Bola Olaniyan, Prof A. Ahmad, Dr. Al-Azeez, Dr. Soji Awoyemi, Dr. Ayo I. Tunbosun, Dr. Caleb Aborisade, Dr. Stephen Ogundipe, Dr. Rasaq Adefabi,. Alhaji Muda Ganiyu, Mrs. Ruth Alao, Prof Micheal Ajayi and Prof Tunde Ayeleru.
Source
0 comments: