SAVE OSUSTECH FROM MIMIKO’S CLAWS - APC CRIES OUT TO INDIGENES, PUBLIC.
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Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, Nigeria is located in Okitipupa in the Southern Senatorial District of Ondo State Nigeria and the only higher institution of learning in the region that is generating the major revenue for the state. The University was inaugurated on 27th September, 2010 by the then Executive Governor of Ondo State and Visitor to the University, Dr. Olusegun Agagu of blessed memory. Academic activities in the institution took off fully in January 2011 and the matriculation of the first set of students was held on Thursday 3rd of March 2011. OSUSTECH is a technology-based institution which aims at providing the needed manpower training required to address the critical areas of industrial and technological development of Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole, of which the proposed Olokola Free-Trade Zone and Deep-Sea Port, Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas, Petrochemical Industries and other allied industries are expected to be the first beneficiary.
In a statement made available to journalists through email, in Akure, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Omo'ba Abayomi Adesanya decried the present state of the University. “No sooner had the founding father left office than the institution started going down”. The administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko who took over government after the inauguration of the institution snubbed it. A University is a universal institution that should primarily serve as a center for learning, research and community development. Unfortunately and highly regrettable, OSUSTECH is not standing on this tripod right now. It is critically ill. Academic and administrative activities on this institution have been paralyzed. It is clear that the Mimiko led-administration is on a deliberate mission of wiping out this once lively institution and a legacy of formal governor Agagu, going by the actions and inaction of Mimiko in recent times.
For example, Mimiko planted in this institution, a Vice Chancellor in person of Prof. Tolu Odugbemi who has been acting the script of Mr. Governor in so many ways. Odugbemi on several occasions has instituted exorbitant and arbitrary increment of school fees (#125,000 for indigenous students and #175,000 for non-indigenes), payment of ICT fees without the facilities, neglect of the University and non-payment of the staff salaries, arbitrary withdrawer of money from the University account without recourse to due process, slow response to happenings and negative developments in this institution, to mention but a few. This is a rape of fundamental human right – education.
It is unimaginable that in this year's annual budget, Governor Mimiko only voted #100 million to OSUSTECH. This budget was passed by his rubber-stamped Assembly led by Hon. Jumoke Akindele who incidentally is from Okitipupa. Whereas, the newly established Medical University in Ondo, his home town “smiled” home with a largee to the tune of # 2.6 billion. There is no obvious justification for this double standard.
This recent development had its multiplier effect on the host community and the institution in so many ways. Commercial activities in and around the institution is on a standstill. Staff and students had been completely cut-off from the global and competitive world due to lack of internet facilities, functional laboratory, well-stocked libraries, relevant infrastructures such as hostels, adequate educational facility or equipment, conducive and hygienic learning environment, electricity supply and social amenities etc. As a matter of fact all activities are stalled at the institution right now, buildings are completely overgrown by weeds and building comfortable habitation for reptiles. Students now receive lectures under a nearly collapsed and dilapidated building which is not receiving any attention.
Therefore, it is highly imperative that all well-meaning sons and daughters and leaders of Okitipupa Division rise up in unison to rescue this institution from extinction. APC call on traditional rulers and prominent groups in this area such as: Jegun of Idepe, Abodi of Ikale Land, Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Zenith Club, Ikale World Congress, Ilaje Progressives Union, Omowa Club and other prominent groups and associations to challenge Governor Olusegun Mimiko and Jumoke Akindele for their deliberate attempt to moribund OSUSTECH for their newly created Medical University, Ondo, the statement reads.
