LAUTECH: Makinde's 2023 Political Cake

  

By Adeyinka OJEBAMIGBE

Perhaps only Governor Seyi Makinde can say with exactness why he decided to 'butcher' Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State into pieces. It was the first time in his almost two-year term that 'Omi titun' is making a controversial decision, which from all indications can affect his  political ambition in 2023. When the National University Commission (NUC) put to rest the joint ownership of LAUTECH by Oyo and Osun states, a loud public commendation greeted the announcement of Oyo state as the sole owner with the hope that the institution will be free from her crisis and head for glory, growth and academic excellence.

However, it is not difficult to say that Makinde's LAUTECH Multi-campus agenda may not be unconnected with the 2023 governorship election. The man, whatever his alleged shortcomings, appears to have a definite political strategy that is being use to console the host community, Ogbomoso. Recently, the Governor approved the completion of an 'abandoned' millennium secondary school in Ogbomoso.

On the visit to the Kara land, there are knives of different shades, butchers, where LAUTECH was expected to be divided into pieces before going to Oil and Soup and become a glorified secondary school. Interestingly, the highlight of the agenda is to politize the once crowned best state university in Nigeria with the theme" LAUTECH is not Ogbomoso's property, is Oyo State property". 

It is not clear whether Makinde believed that he needed to be in government to destroy the corporate existence of LAUTECH with the political card. If that was the case, he missed the point. Or maybe he thought that his uppermost ambition, to remain at Agodi Government House for another four-year term, was more likely to be realized if he implements multi-campus status for LAUTECH. If so, he again got it wrong.

It is revealing that Makinde seems anxious to employ every possible means, including the secular and politics of playing on people's intelligence, to advance his pursuit of power. Equally noteworthy is the political support he may be getting from certain quarters who suppose to speak up. The striking presence of some notable indigenes of the host community in his cabinet spoke volumes about the quality of the political strategy and sacrifice offered on his behalf. In government with Makinde were: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Prof Oyewo Oyelowo SAN ; Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye Commissioner for Education; the Chief Press Secretary (CPS)  Taiwo Adisa.

 But did they have the poem charity begins at home in their diary? Or, more importantly, did they forget their root because of political gain? It may be clarifying to quote CPS on the Microphone of a radio station in Ibadan. Recently, he spoke to the audience about the multi-campus proposal " Alao-Akala initiated the LAUTECH multi-campus status during his tenure"

If Makinde's record in governance should be judged by the words of his mouthpiece on LAUTECH, the CPS, whom he ostensibly approved as his image maker, he would probably be qualified as a government without focus and roadmap. In other words, his multi-campus agenda is a political agenda to cripple Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo state and turned the institution and places her among "the glorified secondary schools."

It is cristal clear that the Omi titun Governor want to use LAUTECH to specify other zones in the state and win their heart at the expense of the varsity. Can Oyo state finance multiple campuses? Or we shall resolve to borrow. Turning LAUTECH into a political cake cannot help the expected development and growth of the institution. Why should we continued to solve one problem and still create another one?