••Unveils Plans To Transform LAUTECH, Tech-U
Oyo state government has said that plans are already being concluded for the creation of Oyo state Tertiary Institutions Commission which would be saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the affairs of all the state owned tertiary institutions.
Attorney General of Oyo state and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Abiodun Aikomo, made this known on Wednesday, during a press briefing that was held at the Governor’s conference room, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, shortly after the state executive council meeting.
The Commissioner also said that Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, and First Technical University, Ibadan, would witness some transformation as part of Governor Seyi Makinde’s reformation in state owned tertiary institutions.
LAUTECH according to the commissioner, will be transformed from what it used to be as a strictly university of technology to an institution that now offers all other courses including humanities, social sciences, arts, education and others.
While First Technical University, Ibadan would be renamed as Abiola Ajimobi First Technical University in honour of the former governor, now late. Aikomo has said.
To this end, Aikomo said the state executive council yesterday considered and passed two bills which are: a bill to repeal the extant First Technical University Law, 2012 and to replace it with a new law, and a bill for the creation of Oyo State Tertiary Institutions Commission.
He added that two executive bills were being readied to be transmitted to the state House of Assembly for their legislative consideration and approval in order to provide the required constitutional backing for the planned transformation.
“Two memos were presented to the state executive council yesterday, first, to repeal the extant First Technical university Law, 2012 and to replace it with a new law.”
“The rationale for this is that the First Technical university would be undergoing some changes even from the name. Upon the passage of the law, it would now be called Abiola Ajimobi First Technical university and some other institutional and structural amendments that are required.”
“Universities are set up by law, something as simple as the name change can not just be done whimsically, it has to follow the law.”
“You would recall there was a time in this country a university was purportedly renamed without following the due process and it became a very serious issue such that the attempt had to be dropped so, the proposed bill for amendments of the university law was considered by the council and passed and subsequently, it will be sent to the House of Assembly for passage into law.”
“Then, the second bill that was considered by the executive council relates to a new commission that the Oyo state government is trying to put together, and it is Oyo state tertiary institutions commission bill. Oyo state government has about eight tertiary institutions.”
“LAUTECH is also going to be changed phenomenally from what it used to be as a technical university ‘stricto sensu’ (strictly) to a university that offers almost all the courses that you can think of including humanities, social sciences, arts etc.”
“So, all the eight institutions have their governing councils, they have their Senate as the case may be, but His Excellency, the executive governor of Oyo state, considers it necessary to have a body that oversees the activities of these institutions to ensure maintenance of standard and quality regardless of who are in charge of the various schools.”
“So, this commission being proposed will be the umbrella body that would liaise with regulatory agencies, licensing authorities, they would consider issues of policies, funding, liaising with international organizations etc.”
“So, the bill was presented to the executive council members and it was also passed so, subsequently we’re hoping to also have a body that will oversee the coordination of tertiary education in Oyo state.” Aikomo stated.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation,Prince Dotun Oyelade during the press briefing told newsmen that the executive council expressed concerns over the growing violence across the nation and as such, is already making frantic efforts to adequate security for lives and properties of all residents of Oyo state.”
“As a matter of fact, by tomorrow, His Excellency will be on his way to Jos in Plateau state with some of his colleagues to commiserate and encourage the governor of the state.”
“We all knew what happened there sometime ago and indeed what is still going on out there.”
“Equally recall that during Christmas last year, His Excellency, encouraged in all manners of ways the fusion of the security apparatus in Oyo state including Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army, the Police and all other security agencies including our own Amotekun to attack illegal miners who housed themselves out there at the Oyo national park, and it was a very successful operation which we’re very proud of.
“There’s going to be an immediate follow up on this and in due course you’ll be notified so that we can keep Oyo state even more secured.” Prince Oyelade said.