STUDENTS of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology ( LAUTECH) Ogbomoso has called on the Governor of Oyo state Senator Abiola Ajimobi and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the state of Osun to fulfil their financial obligations and resolve the ownership issues of the institution to save it from the reoccurring crisis.
They also appeal to them to do all the needful to ensure the immediate resumption of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) who went on another industrial action to truncate the ongoing second-semester examination.
Speaking on behalf of over 3,500 students of the institution at a press conference held in Ogbomoso on Saturday president of the Student Union Government SUG Abiodun Oluwaseun said “If government continue to show lack of commitment and disrespects the lives of over 3,500 students of the institution, we cannot but embark on a10,000 student match to the federal capital territory Abuja to show the entire world the callousness we suffered in the hand of the governors of Oyo and Osun whose priority ought to be building a brighter and formidable future for this nation but has decided to kill it instead.”
The SUG president noted that the incessant strike action embark upon by both teaching and non-teaching staff of the institution is already having a physiological effect on the students
While describing the continuous silence of chancellor of the crisis rocking the institute, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as a callous act, the student appeal to him and the Federal government to immediately rescue the institution to safeguard the dying educational standard of the nation with their timely intervention.
The students recommend recommending Immediate release of grants for infrastructural development and payments of salary arrears and other allowances as well as the regular release of monthly subvention for payment of the salary of workers.
They also call for the full implementation of the outcome of Wole Olanipekun led visitation committee and recommendation of KPMG audit report initiate more investments and to boost the economic and internal generated revenue for the institute.
On the ownership tussle, the student noted that the problem of joint ownership of the institution remains a problem steadily eating away the survival of the university and steadily wears away the growth and development of the University and any real lasting solution to the crisis presently encountered by the institution will rest squarely on the two owners state.
“In the last twenty years, funding and ownership have always been the major source of conflict between the two owner state, especially after when each of the two states has established her own university which resulted into neglect of the 27-year-old university.”
While reaffirming the commitment of the students to ensure LAUTECH regain is back on its feet , Oluwaseun said: “We stand committed to doing our utmost as students of this institution with all sense of justice, equity and transparency to ensure that the government meet up with their responsibility and functionality to ensure continued existence of citadel of learning and take it back to its greater height.”