•’Oyo, Osun’ll resolve LAUTECH crisis’
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has attributed his administration’s decision to stop funding of state-owned tertiary institutions to dwindling resources, as well as the need for their managers to be creative.
The governor stated this at the dedication of a multi-million Vice Chancellor’s Lodge donated to the Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).
The administration conveyed stoppage of subventions to all state-owned tertiary institutions to their chief executives in a September 20, 2016 letter.
The letter stated that the institutions should no longer expect subventions, whether for any arrears, current or future expenses.
Addressing reporters, Ajimobi, however, said government would continue to support the institutions with 25 per cent subventions as a sign of its commitment to their well-being.
He explained the way to go for better funding and management of education is participation of all stakeholders including parents, philanthropists and the private sector.
The governor stressed: “Looking at the economic situation of the country and in the whole world, we have dwindling oil revenue. It has affected virtually all aspects of our socio-economic life and we are unable to really cope.
“Therefore, we believe that apart from the dwindling resources, all Nigerians must participate in education. Education is participatory.
“It is not for the government alone or for the government alone to pay for education. We believe that parents, teachers, everybody must participate.
“What we are witnessing here today for me, exemplifies our belief in participatory education. Here is an individual, a great Nigerian, an accomplished legal luminary who on his own has built several institutions.
“Nigerians must copy this man. Nigerians must contribute to education and the development of our children.”
He also pointed out that managers of the institutions need to work hard to plug leakages and be creative in serving their communities.
“We are still supporting the tertiary institutions. We have not cancelled subventions completely.
“We have reduced it from 100 per cent to 25 per cent. And we see many loopholes, leakages. They should go and plug them.
“We believe that they can raise Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) through efficient management of their resources, through plugging of leakages and through offering various services to the community.
“You can see that private institutions are not taking subventions from anybody. Education is not absolutely free. Nothing is absolutely free.”
On the crisis rocking the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Ajimobi said: “Before we came in 2010, the former governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala and his Osun State counterpart then, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, had an agreement to transfer LAUTECH to Oyo State.
“But Governor Rauf Aregbesola went to court and the case got to the Supreme Court. In 2012, the court gave a judgment that co-ownership of LAUTECH by both states remained unbroken.
“The judgment held that unless both owners sit down and agree, no party can singlehandedly decide to severe the relationship.
“Agreed that Osun State is not paying as it should be paying, Oyo State has paid substantially more than Osun has paid.
“What we are saying now is for us to sit down and see the need for co-owners to fulfill our obligations.”
Source: The Nation
Social Media Links
Facebook – www.facebook.com/osundotlife
Instagram – www.instagram.com/osundotlife
Twitter – www.twitter/osundotlife
(5)
Donate to osun.life Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government. For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in Osun State, we ask you to consider making a modest support to our efforts towards a just and equitable society in Osun State. DONATE NOW
Are you an indigene or resident of Osun? Click to join our WhatsApp group and receive instant news alerts JOIN NOW
To share a story on osun.life: CLICK