The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has commended his counterpart from Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola over the decision to cancel the joint ownership of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH) and Ladoke Akintola College of Health.

Makinde lauded Governor Oyetola during his courtesy visit to Osun State Secretary in Osogbo, on Monday, for the role he played in resolving the LAUTECH issue that had lingered for years.

Oyetola in his remarks charged the Oyo State Government to honour the agreement by ensuring prompt, complete and faithful implementation of every clause in the Memorandum of Understanding.

Recall that the National Universities Commission (NUC) recently handed over ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, to the Oyo State Government while the Osun State Government took over the College of Health Sciences in Osogbo.

They mutually agreed to a dissolution, which was formalised by signing a memorandum of agreement between governors of both states.

Makinde in his address explained that the decision by both governors was in the interest of the students of the University, above politics, partisanship and ego.

“Some people have even started to insinuate that the two states have failed because, in the spirit of regional integration and oneness, we should have been able to jointly manage the institution. My response was that their position was well thought out and lucid but they missed the point.

“The point is, the joint ownership over the years had become challenging in terms of funding and management leading to constant friction and disruptions in the university.

“What was important was to get results, get our children back to school, get the university to a point where it can fulfil its mandate which is to train children who would be instrumental to the development of the State and the nation at large. That, we are now on track to achieving.

“Also, we have had instances when identical parties held sway in Oyo and Osun, yet this issue was not resolved. But here we are today, PDP and APC have worked together and solved the problem. So, we are all winners in this matter.

“I came to thank Governor Oyetola because without him playing the role of a statesman, we could not have solved the problem. Generations yet unborn will continue to value the role you played in resolving this issue.

In his remarks, Oyetola noted that the decision to sign off the institution required him to be statesmanly and rise above political and primordial sentiments.

He added that his administration had considered the overall best interest of the state, the future of the students of the institution who were directly affected by the incessant crises, the welfare of the staff and the unity of the Yoruba nation.

Oyetola, who maintained that Osun had fully discharged its responsibilities towards LAUTECH before its exit, said that in the spirit of the agreement, the state looks forward to the 12-month Transition Arrangement that will attend to all issues, intended or otherwise, which may be thrown up by the separation of ownership.

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