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Osun State government on Friday tackled Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde over the comments he made on Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
The Supervisor, Osun State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Hon. Adelani Baderinwa in a statement signed and made available to journalists in Osogbo, advised Governor Makinde to always do proper findings on any issue that is of public interest before speaking to the public.
Baderinwa was reacting to the a statement credited to Makinde during his media chat to celebrate his 100 days in office, where he accused the Osun State government of not paying the salary of LAUTECH workers since July.
Recall that Makinde had also said that he plans discussing issues affecting the institution with Osun State governor, Gboyega Oyetola, with the ownership question on the table. Makinde had said that Osun had failed to fulfill its own part of the funding agreement reached earlier in the year.
But Baderinwa argued that contrary to Makinde’s claims, Osun State government has been living up to its expectations and performing its responsibility as equal partner in the LAUTECH ownership since the school was established.
His words: “Osun has always been cheated on LAUTECH: only one (1) out of the eight (8) academic faculties is in Osun, while Oyo has about twice of the staff strength of the University. Osun single-handedly funded the infrastructure development in the LAUTECH campus in Osun; also 85 per cent of the total institution’s infrastructure is in Oyo, whereas funding is equally carried out. Despite this, we are fully committed to joint ownership of our joint heritage.”
According to him, Osun has never faltered in its responsibilities and obligations to LAUTECH, noting that the state would continue to work as a partner in progress and would ensure that the academic activities at the institution is not disrupted.
“Governor Oyetola who is passionate about functional education, a team player and a goal getter will not cease in funding LAUTECH.
“The amiable Governor Seyi Makinde is urged to take a deeper and more rational outlook at the matters of existence and operation of LAUTECH, otherwise he will get lost in the shenanigans of ‘LAUTECH OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL.’ Oyo has been a great cheat on Osun in this matter and only a dispassionate and discerning mind can deductively make good sense out of the situation. GSM is thus advised to take rational path before making statements on LAUTECH matter.”