THE Alumni Association of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, has appealed to the executive governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his Oyo state counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to save the future of the students of the institution by proffering a lasting solution to the lingering crisis, which led to the sudden closure of the university campus for weeks.
This was contained in a release, signed by the National President, Jide Bewaji; National General Secretary, Kamal K. Oloso and the National PRO, Owoyokun Samson, and made available to journalists in Ibadan.
The release read inpart: “It has become imperative as the owners of the university and concerned major stakeholders in the LAUTECH project to make a clarion call to government of Oyo and Osun states to compassionately rescue our institution from untimely collapse and save the future of our beloved undergraduates.”
“The reason for the industrial strike action embarked upon by NASU, SSANU and ASUU is over several months of unpaid salaries and allowances, and refusal to release timely approved budgetary subventions for research, capital projects and smooth running of the university operations by the funding states.”
“We are not oblivious of the precarious financial situation of the two concerned states as a result of dwindling allocation accrued to them, but we owe it a duty as partners and collaborators to ensure we give a lending voice to save a university once adjudged “the best state university in Nigeria.”
The alumni also commended the public-spirited administrative acumen of proven accountability and genuine creativity under the able chairmanship of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of council, Prof. Wale Omole, and Vice Chancellor, Prof. A. S. Gbadegesin, which has sustained the peaceful coexistence and a conducive atmosphere of the labour union thus far.
“We attest to the fact that our graduands over the past two decades, through the education imparted and applicable knowledge in technological advancement, has contributed meaningfully via implementable research and studies to the economic progress of our funding states which are evident in all spheres of life nationally and globally, hence the need for us to make this appeal to keep the flag flying always.”
“We hope our governors heed to our request through their financial intervention urgently.”