Proposed Ilesa Varsity establishment won’t exert unnecessary pressure on State’s finances – Oyetola

…as governor inaugurates implementation committee

Governor Gboyega Oyetotola of Osun State has said the goal his administration is to increase access to quality and equitable education at all levels.

He said, the government has constantly collaborated with the private sector and other key stakeholders towards improving education system in order to empower Osun citizens realize their full potential.

Governor Oyetola stated these in Osogbo, while the inaugurating the implementation committee of the upgrade of College Of Education, Ilesa to to a university status.

He said the upgrade was an idea to further expand access to qualitative education, among other opportunities, for the young population.

Oyetola expressed appreciation to all members of the Implementation Committee for accepting to be part of history to midwife the delivery of the new University.

He noted that it was conceived to be entrepreneurial and innovative university that will be funded through a mix of sources such as the government, community, industry, and other stakeholders without exerting unnecessary pressure on the finances of the State.

He said “The decision to upgrade the College of Education, Ilesa, I must note, is not a product of mere fanciful effort, but one that is a product of thorough and rigorous interrogation, characteristic of the culture of deep engagement for which this administration is noted.

“Among others, we also took into copious consideration, the College of Education, its existing infrastructural and human resource assets as the State’s oldest College of Education.

“I wish to emphasise that equally important to us is a demonstration of the self-sustainability of the University and the continued support of all critical stakeholders, considering the current and future economic outlook of the State.

“This is because upgrading the College to a University will require enormous financial and human resources, and concerted efforts of stakeholders.

“It is for this reason that the university has been carefully conceived as a thoroughly entrepreneurial and innovative university that would be funded through a mix of sources such as the government, community, industry, and other stakeholders without exerting unnecessary pressure on the finances of the State.

Speaking on behalf of the newly-inaugurated Implementation Committee, Prof. Olu Aina commended the Governor for responding to the yearnings to rescue the College of Education, llesha.

He said the initiative became necessary as colleges of education all over the country has recently been plagued by a decline in enrolment.

He promised not to only meet the target but also beat the expectations adding that, members of the Committee have given their consent to serve with utmost diligence and commitment to ensure the quick actualisation of the upgrade of the College to a full-flegded University.

“Going by the caliber of people and personalities in this Committee, I am confident we will deliver on our mandate. I commended Mr. Governor for organizing this team. I am assuring you that we will not let you down. I appreciate the government for rising to the upgrade of the College. With this gesture, Government has done the needful”, he added.

Prof. Aina used the occasion to call on the Federal Government, ASUU and all stakeholders to behave responsibly, set aside their differences and put a stop to the shut down of public university campuses in Nigeria.

The newly-inaugurated Committee chaired by a renowned educationist, Prof. Oluremi Aina, has former Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Prof. Labo Popoola; a former Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University, Prof. Yemisi Obilade; a former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Lead City University, Prof. Jide Owoeye; Pioneer Vice-Chancellor Osun State University, Prof. Sola Akinrinade; Professor of English Language and Applied Linguistics, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun, and Mr. Rasheed Sarumi.

Recall that the State House of Assembly had on Monday, August 8th, 2022, passed into law the Bill seeking to upgrade the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa to a full-flegded University.