Makinde Signs Bill Renaming First Technical University After Abiola Ajimobi, Approves N1.4b For Infrastructural Upgrade
•By Oyeniyi Awojoodu, Ibadan
IBADAN – Oyo state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has signed a Bill for the renaming of First Technical University into Abiola Ajimobi Technical University into law.
This was as the governor also approved the sum of ₦1.4 billion for the infrastructural upgrade of the institution which include fencing of the school, construction of inner roads within the university, and other structural facilities.
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Governor Makinde announced the approval of the funds at the official signing of the Bill into law at a brief ceremony held at the executive chamber of the Governor’s office on Wednesday, July 31.
Recall that the First Technical University was first established in 2012 under the administration of former governor, Late Abiola Ajimobi after its establishment Bill was subsequently amended in 2018.
The governor stated that the law is for the establishment, incorporation, constitution and functions of the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan Oyo State and other connected matters.
In his address shortly signing the Bill into Law, Makinde noted that the renaming of the institution aimed to honor former governor Abiola Ajimobi and his vision for the school and has also accorded former First Lady of the state, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi the courtesy of making a nomination into the Governing Council of the school as a show of inclusivity in the school management.
The Governor equally expressed appreciation to the state legislature for working collaboratively with the executive arm of government for the smooth running of government.
The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honorable Adebo Ogundoyin represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abiodun Fadeyi in his earlier remark before presenting the Bill to the Governor, said the name change was in honor of former Governor Ajimobi.
The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tapping from the expertise and professional skills of notable individuals regardless of political affiliations towards the development of Oyo state.
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He noted that even though the state Governor was still in the process of constituting the Governing Council of the installation, he has accepted without any objection, the nomination of former member of Oyo state Assembly, Hon. Seyi Adisa by Mrs. Florence Ajimobi.
“It is a bill for the establishment, incorporation, constitutions and functions of Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan, and for other related matters into law.
“At the beginning of the year, the Executive Council approved the Executive Bill, repealing the First Technical University Law 2012 to be replaced by a new law, which captures the institution as structural changes the university will go through including a change of name.
“You may also recall last year that during the convocation of the institution, I made an announcement for the change of name to Honour my predecessor, under whose administration the university was established.
“So, this new law will codify the change of name, because this administration does not govern by a fiat. We ensure that right governance processes are followed. The new law also means that the University can now appoint a Governing Council to govern its affairs.
“We are in the process of putting together the Council. I have also tapped our former First Lady, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, to have a nominee into that Council so that they will know what is going on in the university.
“She has graciously nominated Seyi Adisa and I don’t have any objection because I know she has the capacity.
“We have done quite a bit together with late Professor Ibidapo Obey. We tried to look at the University on the path of sustainability and we will continue that work under this dispensation. I have approved your request of about N1.4bn to upgrade the infrastructure, fencing, security and inner roads for the university. And in the days ahead, the Governing Council for the University will be constituted.
“I am not running away from the protest. There is an acting Governor in Oyo State and I am sure he will inaugurate the Governing Council just to demonstrate to the people that government is a continuum and nobody will stay forever on this seat.
“Let me use this opportunity to restate our administration’s commitment to the education sector. We are not just paying lip service when we say that education is one of the four pillars of this administration. We are investing the required human and material resources in the sector. We are currently recruiting 7,500 primary school teachers and 100 care-givers for special needs schools as well as 7,500 secondary school teachers and 3,000 non-academic staff.
“A world-bank grant is enabling us to renovate 105 primary schools while our administration is renovating 100 secondary schools across the state as the first batch under the intervention fund of 10bn yearly, which would be included in our annual budget for education.
“A lot of people may not know what we are trying to do. When I came in, we rely solely on SUBEB towards renovating our schools and we looked at the budget. Both UBEC and the counterpart fund is between two and three million naira in a year. So, for the last five years, we have spent between 10 and 15bn. We went out to say, look, let us know precisely what we are faced with and this study was drawn about three years ago.
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“As of that time, they told me it would require about N45bn to bridge that gap. Even at that time, if we keep spending at that UBEC/SUBEB level, it would take us almost fifteen years and the school will not still be totally renovated. So, we thought of what we can do. Between them and now, and with the inflationary trend, we must have gotten close to about 70bn in terms of what we require. So, if we really want to bridge that gap, we will go on with the UBEC/SUBEB arrangement, we need special intervention.
“I have two more years to go and I said for this year, next year and the year after, we will invest 10bn special intervention yearly, which will amount to N30bn. If I have a need for it, I will invest more and see if I can bridge that gap before the exit of this administration. But the bottom line is we have to take decision from data, logic and science.
“For tertiary education, when we came in between May 29, 2019 when I paid the first salary, 1pm was added to the wage bill of Oyo State just because we paid 100 per cent subvention. But we will continue to provide subvention as agreed and also carry out capital project to improve learning facilities.” Governor Makinde said.
Speaking further the Governor said: “Finally, I want to thank the House of Assembly of Oyo State for the speedy passage of this law and for continuously collaborating with our administration to deliver a good governance to our people. Also, I want to thank the House for keying into the vision of this state. This is our state and we don’t care about political parties or political affiliation. We have to do what we have to do in the best interest of our state.
“Yesterday, I tapped Bimbo Adekanmbi and said, look, we want to upgrade the Airport and you have the capacity. Having a financial model is the key success factor out there. He was the former commissioner for finance. I asked him of his availability and told him this is his assignment for the state.
“Today, we are honoring my predecessor, late ABIOLA Ajimobi. We were together in 2007. So, for us in Oyo State, we will continue to do things in the best interest of our state.”
Present at the brief ceremony are the deputy governor, Barrister Adebayo Lawal, former Governors Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Hameed Gbadamosi, Hazeem Gbolarumi, former Oyo assembly speaker, and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.
Others are Idris Abiola Ajimobi (SA to President on Livestock Matters) represented Mrs. Florence Abiola Ajimobi.
Also present are the Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Sikiru Sanda,Chairman of Oyo state Elders Council; Dr Saka Balogun, HRM Oba Hamidu Ajibade, the Pro Chancellor of LAUTECH; Professor Deji Omole, the Vice Chancellor of Abiola Ajimobi Technical University; Professor Shola Ajayi and other top management staffs of the school.
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Others are Labor Leaders: Oyo state NLC and TUC chairmen, Comrades Kayode Martins and Bosun Labiyi as well as Bishop Daniel Oluwajimade who represented Oyo state CAN Chairman, and representative of the Chief Imam of Ibadanland.