There was a sigh of relief last some days ago when the Oyo state commissioner for Education Science and Technology professor Joseph Olowofela announces that firm that is assigned the responsibility of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso will complete its operation last Friday and submit the report in no distance time. This statement gives ray of hope that the age long crisis rocking the institution will be over.
KPMG, a reputable auditing firm started operation few days ago after a lot of hot argument on who should audit the account between the government and the governing board , the responsibility which was earlier shoulder by the government was later relinquish to the newly Governing Council headed by professor Oladapo Afolabi.
Professor Oladapo Afolabi and his team and men of integrity and there is no doubting the fact the former head of service will not soil his hand into anything that will damage his integrity and credibility and that alone gives assurance that no matter how difficult the situation could be new governing council will not fold their arm and be watching the exchange of banters between the government and the staff unions but immediately swung into action to end the ugly situation which has kept the student idle and lecturers hungry for almost two years.
The students and staffs of Ladoke Akintola University have no doubt wasted a very good time of their life battling the crisis that was never their makings, the assurance is here in its usual form but one day there will be light after darkness, the crisis won’t last forever.
During the wasted years of incessant strike, a lot of water have passed under the bridge, the institution experienced so many death of students and lecturers, some good hands had left for a better offer where their live and time will be properly utilized for what they have choose to do, lives of many students may not take shape again because of the wasted time while many that still have confidence in the institution remains undaunted waiting for the day when they will sing Halleluyah or Alhamudulilahi the battle is over:
Both governor Ajimobi of Oyo state and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the state of Osun are conscious of the fact that the perennial crisis rocking the institution which is funding should not be in the first instance, Apart from the subvention released to the institution, (though not consistent ) LAUTECH has the potentials to generate fund that could sustain it with little or no support from the government , they consider mismanagement and insincerity on the part of the managements and staff Unions as a major factor responsible for the dwindling fortune of the former best state institution , hence the need to check their records.
A school of thought was of the view that the actions of the governors is inimical to the growth of the institution and development of the people they governed, not only because they have failed in sustaining the joint heritage which was established with the sole aim of providing qualitative and innovative education in Science and Technology, and one cannot but consider the establishment of separate university by the states and diversion of interest into primary and secondary education as some of the major factor that reduces their focus and commitments towards LAUTECH.
Let us assume the auditing of LAUTECH records is over, the question locking on everybody’s lips is what next? When are they submitting the reports, how long will it take for the government to review and implement the reports, hope year 2017 won’t end without the issue being resolved? The response will be determine by the next line of action, it is expected of the governing council to carry along the LAUTECH’s internal and external public about the development so that there won’t be any lacuna or another crisis base on misinformation by the third parties
Students and ex Students have all tried in making LAUTECH to rise again, one cannot but commend the effort of those who stiff out their necks and risk their lives traveling from one place to the other all in the name of bringing back LAUTECH back on its feet. Though reports says some movement are self seeking ventures just for pecuniary benefits but all the same those who joins in building are far better than those who did not do anything. Whatever we do will b
It won’t be out of place to conclude that LAUTECH needs to be properly funded, the government should put in place a structured mechanism that will not encourage any fraudulent activities and they should be alive to their responsibilities too although sharing of asset to that each states can stand on their own and decides what to do with their shares will not be a bad idea but it is not an option for now, the immediate solution is to release fund and let LAUTECH resume without further delay.
