LAUTECH alumni want government to rescue school

The alumni association of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, has appealed to Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and his Oyo State counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, put an end to the lingering crises that has been rocking the school, and which led to its sudden closure for weeks.

The appeal is contained in a press statement jointly signed by the national president, national general secretary and public relations officer Jide Bewaji, Kamal K. Oloso and Owoyokun Samson, respectively.

Made available to journalists in Ibadan, it read, “It has become imperative as the owners of the university and concerned major stakeholders in the LAUTECH project to make a clarion call to the governments of Oyo and Osun states to compassionately rescue our institution from untimely collapse, and save the future of our beloved undergraduates.”

The association noted that, “The reasons for the industrial action embarked upon by NASU, SSANU and ASUU 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 accruing 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.”

They also commended the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of council, Prof. Wale Omole, and vice chancellor of the school, Prof. A. S. Gbadegesin, for their roles in ensuring sustained peaceful coexistence in the school, and creating a conducive atmosphere for labour unions to operate.

“We attest to the fact that our graduands over the past two decades, through the education imparted and applicable knowledge in technological advancement, have 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,” the ex-students said.

“We hope our governors heed to our request through their financial intervention urgently,” they added.