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Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, has had the edict establishing it as non-residential repealed to turn it into a student-residential university.
This was revealed by the Vice – Chancellor of the institution, Prof Rasak Olatunde ROM Kalilu, while answering reporters’ questions during the Tuesday press conference held in the institution to herald the 17th convocation ceremonies and 35th Founder’s Day anniversary slated for this week and next week.
In similar veiw he spoke on the late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola Estate in Ogbomoso donated to the institution by the family of the late Premier of the defunct Western Region, saying certain bottlenecks are however inhibiting putting the estate into use.
Prof Kalilu speaking against the backdrop of security challenges facing the students in their off-campus residences, said the law had been amended since 2020 and that as a follow up four large capacity hostels had been built within the institution.
“Part of what we have been able to do is that four large hostels have just been constructed in the campus here. We have just advertised for facilities managers, who may be interested to come and manage it for the university. We have gotten one and the council has approved that.”
So, the hostels are yet to be put into use because of lack of facilities managers to supervise the use of the hostels
“We have gotten only one when what we want are four. That is what is delaying the implementation,” the VC disclosed.
He noted that if the hostels become operational and most of the students relocate on campus “the security nightmare assailing our students will be a thing of the past.”
This is as he disclosed the efforts of the management in tackling the menace of armed robbery incidence in students residential areas off campus which included synergizing with security agents.He affirmed the efforts are paying off with the arrest of some miscreants suspected to be involved in these nefarious activities during patrols recently assuring the management would not relent even though asserting provision of security off campus is a statutory responsibility of the local government.
On the issue of the SL Akintola Estate, he said the university got full possession with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the family and the institution only late last year.
Prof Kalilu explained they couldn’t have done anything at the site because it wasn’t theirs unless the MOU was signed which he enthused had now been successfully done.He however noted it’s not yet uhuru since all valuables therein had been evacuated asserting a huge amount of money would be needed to put the place into use.
He disclosed the management had decided to convert the estate into the centre for Institute of African Studies, which the university just established.He added that a sum of N10m is provided for in the university ‘s budget this year, which he said would be committed to giving the place a preliminary facelift.
“Long before the family signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the university, it was mere announcement and we couldn’t take possession of the place in such circumstances. It was only last year that we discussed and they wanted to give us the place for ten years but the university council felt that ten years was too short so the MOU that we signed (towards the end of last year) is now 30 years,” the VC stated.
“But if you enter the place it had been deleted of every material, only the walls are standing. The monumental destruction that befell the estate is unimaginable. So it will cost millions of naira to put it back into shape and it is a very large place.
“By the time we signed the MOU nothing was budgeted for it but I think we budgeted N10m now to give it a facelift, clean the compound though it can’t be put to any appreciable state. We are seeking support, stakeholders’ involvement. We are planning to move our newly established Institute of African Studies there, which will have Centre for Material Culture Studies and Centre for Ogbomoso Studies, that is likely what is going to happen.”
He added that a guard has been put there permanently.The LAUTECH’s helmsman who in the past served as Deputy Vice Chancellor also spoke on encroachment on the institution’s land assuring the problem is being addressed.
“We will flush out encroachers. They are only going to be there for a while, l assure you, the land is gazetted by the government. We sometimes ago toured the land, the 10, 000 hectares land, and we will soon put perimeter wire (fence) to secure it before we construct fence.”
