Following the plan by the management on the re-opening of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, more than 8 months after it was shut due to the inability of the two owner-states of Oyo and Osun to pay salary as and when due, the institution’s alumni association has commended Governors Abiola Ajimobi and Rauf Aregbesola of Oyo and Osun respectively for the temporary palliative measure in respect of the N500m grant released.
According to its press release jointly signed by the National President, Babajide Bewaji, General Secretary, Oloso Kamal Kolawole and the PRO, Owoyokun Samson, it stated that the association was happy that peace and understanding are gradually returning to the institution, however, urged the institution’s chapter of the labour force movements: (Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities – SSANU, National Association of Academic Technologist – NAAT and Non Academic Staff of University NASU) to come to terms with the reality of the economic and financial situations and create an enabling environment for the restoration of academic activities while other grievances and agitation are discussed on a round-table with the school management.
“While we are grateful for the gesture of the two states, we are appealing to them to device means by which subvention would be provided continually without delay. The five hundred million naira released to the institution to pay two out of the eight months salary arrears should be a point of commencement, the two houses of assembly should help look into how the budgetary allocation to LAUTECH would be able to meet its financial obligations by commencing the enactment of a bill to channel a token in percentage of local governments allocation from the two states to fund the university adequately.
”We thank all the unions -ASUU, SSANU, NAAT, NASU, parents and guardians most especially the ever reasonable Ladokites for their perseverance while the whole issue lasted. The students also should cooperate with the academic and non academic staff to ensure a hitch-free resumption.
