Members of the Academic Staff
Union of Universities (ASUU) from both Lagos and Ibadan zones on Friday warned
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola of
Osun State not to “kill” the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
Ogbomoso, the institution they described as “the best state university in Nigeria”.
They gave this warning when they
staged a peaceful protest across Ibadan, the Oyo State capital over what they
termed, continuous neglect of the institution.
The protesters, who gathered at
the headquarters of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Agodi Gate, carrying
placards walked through Total Garden –UCH Road and terminated the protest at
the Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan where they delivered a letter of
protest to the Oyo State Governor, Ajimobi.
The protesters were led by both
the Ibadan and Lagos zonal leaders of the union.
They said in the placards:
“Aregbe, Ajimobi, do not kill the best state University in Nigeria”, “What is
Omoluabi in not funding education”, “Education is the heritage of Yoruba’s, do
not kill Lautech”, ASUU Lagos Zone demands adequate funding for LAUTECH,
Ogbomosho, and fund education in Nigeria”, “ASUU LAUTECH, Ogbomosho says
LAUTECH must not be liquidated. Governors Ajimobi/Aregbesola, release funds to
LAUTECH as advocated by Wole Olanipekun visitation panel” and “You are all
products of free public education, do not destroy it.”
Others read, “Do not sacrifice
LAUTECH for mushrooming Tech U”, “Oyo/Osun People, shine your eyes, LAUTECH
must not die”, “KPMG did not recommend increase in tuition, stop taking
education away from the reach of the masses”, “Aare Atunluse and Ogbeni, do not
destroy public education”, “Do not sell LAUTECH. LAUTECH is not a commodity.”,
“Support LAUTECH Governing Council by making funds available” and “Do not put
the lives of 30,000 students of LAUTECH in jeopardy. Aregbesola, Ajimobi act
fast”.
Speaking on the rationale behind
the protest, ASUU Chairman, University of Ibadan, Dr. Deji Omole said the protest
was in support of the struggle embarked upon by the academic staff union of
LAUTECH to get the university properly funded.
Omole said, “We realized that
since the beginning of the administration of Aregbesola and Ajimobi, they have
simply refused to fund the university. The university that used to be one of
the best state universities in Nigeria is now groaning in pains of
underfunding. And we view this as gross irresponsibility on the part of the
owner states. We are here to register our protest to the way the university has
been treated by Ajimobi and Aregbesola.”
The Ibadan Zonal Coordinator, Dr.
Ade Adejumo said that the government insistence that the institution can
survive on internally generated funds was the peak of irresponsibility, noting
that LAUTECH as a public institution must be funded by public funds which were
in the coffer of the government.
The Chief of Staff to Ajimobi,
Dr. Gbade Ojo while receiving the protesters on behalf of the governor assured
them of the commitment of the owner state governors.
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