Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has commissioned some newly completed projects at the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa.
The newly completed projects commissioned by the Governor on Tuesday, included: the Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge; Principal Officer’s Quarters; and Privately Donated Buildings.
Governor Akeredolu, who reeled out his administration’s intervention at the institution, said the university was a museum of abandoned projects before his administration’s intervention.
He said:”You will recall that at the inception of our administration, we were really alarmed with the deplorable condition of things in the university, in terms of roads, workers welfare, buildings and other essential facilities incidental to a conducive learning environment.
“The deplorable situation in the university strengthened our resolve to change the narrative, by immediately commencing a gradual and systematic development of the university. You will remember that within our first hundred days in office, we had laid asphalt on the road from the Main Gate into the heart of the campus.
“Other areas of impact by our administration in making OAUSTECH a great university include:the completion of University Library; the completion of University Auditorium; and the completion of Administrative Building which were commissioned on the 13th August, 2020.”
Governor Akeredolu noted that his administration, with the support of the ever-committed Council and the Management, was able to facilitate the donation of science equipment worth millions of Naira from Seeding Lab., USA.
“Again, OAUSTECH for over eight years was a One-School-University, with only School of Science offering ten programmes in three departments. Our intervention through improved funding enabled Council and Management to add two additional schools: School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and School of Engineering and Engineering Technology. More schools are being planned and would start off soon after NUC approval.
“As a government, we will continue to do that which will enhance rapid social, educational and economic development of our dear State. I am happy to note that all programmes due for National Universities Commission’s accreditations have been accredited. This has been accomplished as a result of our commitment to the development of the university.
“In line with our desire of to make this university a world class institution, it has been enlisted as a beneficiary of TETFund for the first time since inception. The university is at present having some interventions that can raise the status of the institution. I am glad to disclose that the first TETFund assisted Faculty building was delivered in 2021 and is already in use while a second one has reached 90% level of completion.”
Arakunrin Akeredolu lauded the Governing Council for being able to save funds from the meagre Internally Generated Revenue of the university to complete the Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge and four units of Principal Officers’ Quarters that had been abandoned since 2009.
While acknowledging the contributions of well-meaning individuals to the development of the institution, the Governor thanked Dr. Olusegun Agagu’s family through Chief (Mrs)
Olufunke Agagu, who generously paid thirty million Naira specifically for the completion of the Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge.
“The Council and Management have also been able to facilitate private support for this university which culminated in the donation of some projects. The benefactors include: the construction of a Fire Services Station by Professor Anthony Olusegun Adegbulugbe; the construction of an Advancement Centre by Chief Pius Olu Akinyelure; the construction of a Functions Hall with two offices by Senator Michael Atijosan Emmanuel Onunkun OON, a 96-year old Senator of the Second Republic (1979 – 1983), who personally supervised the construction himself; and the donation and installation of 30 solar power lights to OAUSTECH by Ms Tolu Adesomoju.” He said.
Governor Akeredolu, who said better days are coming for the University, assured that his administration will continue to do its best to improve funding to the university and indeed to all tertiary institutions in the state.
Earlier, The Vice Chancellor Of OAUSTECH, Professor Temi Ologunorisa commended Governor Akeredolu for the giant strides recorded in the institution, adding that his vision is to build bi-lingual, entrepreneurial, ICT driven and world class university through teaching, research and community services.
The Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Professor Akinbo Adesomoju said the narrative of the institution changed tremendously since the assumption of Governor Akeredolu in office.
Prof. Adesomoju also announced the naming of the University’s Senate Building after Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN. The University Senate Building is now known as “Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Senate Building.”
Chancellor of OAUSTECH and Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba Dr. Fredrick Akinruntan lauded Governor Akeredolu for supporting the governing council at ensuring that transparency and merit were employed in the appointment of the principal officers especially the new Vice Chancellor, Professor Temi Ologunorisa.
Meanwhile, the Governing Council and Management of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, have named the University’s Senate Building after the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, in recognition of his giant stride in the institution.
The Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Professor Akinbo Adesomoju made the announcement during the commissioning of some project at the University on Tuesday.
Governor Akeredolu Commissioned the Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge; Principal Officer’s Quarters; and some Privately Donated Buildings at the institution.
Governor Akeredolu had within the first hundred days in office, laid asphalt on the road of the University from the Main Gate into the heart of the campus after visible neglect for eight years by the previous administration.
The Governor also commissioned the University Library; University Auditorium; and the Administrative Building on the 13th August, 2020.
Under his administration, all programmes due for National Universities Commission’s accreditations have been accredited, even as the University has been enlisted as a beneficiary of TETFund for the first time since inception.
Governor Akeredolu, who expressed surprise at the gesture, described the development as a call to do more.
“This came as a surprise to me, but all the same, it will surely spur us to do more in our education sector. What we have done is for the good of the state. We will continue to do more so as to build a stronger institution for the coming generation. We thank the founder, late Dr. Olusegun Agagu,” he said.
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