Uncompleted Faculty of Science Building. This is one of the over 20 uncompleted Building Projects at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, OAUSTECH, Okitipupa
By Banji Ayoola
Irked by the high number of uncompleted infrastructural and building projects dotting the landscape of the Olusegun Agagu University, OASUSTECH, Okitipupa, formerly Ondo State University of Science and Technology, OSUSTECH, Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Thursday August 13, 2020 criticised his predecessor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko over the projects.
In fact, he described the act of abandoning projects as a total disgrace to governance and a disservice to the people, who look up to their leaders full of hope.
It was at the occasion of commissioning three of the abandoned projects which were completed by his administration at the institution where the governor lamented the number of projects initiated in the university by the administration of the late Dr Olusegun Agagu, but abandoned by the successive Mimiko administration.
The projects commissioned include the University Library, University Auditorium and the Administrative Building, all of which were initiated by the late Governor Olusegun Agagu, but abandoned for eight years by the previous administration.
Specifically, Akeredolu described “the manner of abandoning the projects due to political differences as a disgrace to governance and disservice to the good people of the Southern Senatorial district in particular and the entire state at large.”
He said his administration, “which believes in the axiom that Government is a continuum, has completed some of the projects inherited from the Mimiko administration which neglected projects inherited from the Agagu administration for eight years.”
As contained in a statement by a media aide to the governor, Mr Olabode Olatunde, Akeredolu “saluted the great vision of the former Governor of the state, Late Dr. Olusegun Agagu for his sincerity of purpose and commitment, which he said made the establishment of the University a reality.
“The statement said: “The Governor noted that at the inception of his administration, he was alarmed with the deplorable condition of things in the University in terms of infrastructure, workers’ welfare and other essential facilities incidental to conducive learning environment.
“According to him, the unfortunate and deplorable situation in the University strengthened his administration’s resolve to change the narrative, by immediately commencing a gradual, radical and systematic implementation of the State Government’s strategic plan as it relates to the University.
“The Governor disclosed that, aside the commencement and completion of a new Electrification Project, his administration was able to facilitate the donation of science equipment worth millions of Naira from Seeding Lab. USA, in order to encourage meaningful learning and research in the institution.
“Arakunrin Akeredolu said within hundred days in office, his administration completed the asphalt laying of the road from the Main Gate to the heart of the Campus, stressing that the road contract was awarded, but abandoned for over eight years.
“He explained that the institution, which was a one-Faculty University for over eight years, now has two added additional schools; the School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, as a result of improved funding from his administration.
“The Governor said: “Our administration is desirous to expand the programmes as stated in the Brief of the University.
“Marine Engineering, Applied Geology, Applied Geophysics, Petrochemical Engineering with options in Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering and Computer Engineering are some of the programmes already approved by the Senate of this University in this regard.
“It is gratifying to note that all programmes due for National Universities Commission’s accreditation have been accredited. This has been accomplished as a result of the commitment of our administration to the development of the University.
“In line with the desire of our administration to transforming OAUSTECH to a world class University, it has been enlisted as a beneficiary of TETFund for the first time since inception.
“The University is at present having some interventions in this regard, which will raise the status of the institution.“OAUSTECH has also been selected to be a major beneficiary of the normal TETFund intervention for year 2020.
”In his address, the Vice -Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sunday Roberts Ogunduyile decribed Akeredolu as the architect of the modern day OAUSTECH and a pace setter per excellence.
Investigations by The Radiance shows that despite Akeredolu’s intervention, at least 20 uncompleted building projects still dot the university’s premises along Igbokoda Road in Okitipupa.
In fact, the story of that institution since its founder, the late Governor Olusegun Kokumo Agagu left office hurriedly through a court judgement about 12 years ago, is one of neglect, whereas that institution holds bright hopes of being a vehicle for developing the rich marine and other resources in the coastal area of the state.
Ondo State is reputed to have the longest coastline in West Africa.
An exclusive story, which was an interview with the Vice Chancellor, Prof Sunday Roberts Duyile, published in the April 3, 2019 edition of The Radiance, aptly captures the story of this neglect and the potentials which OASTECH holds towards galvanising Ondo State’s economy and driving the nation’s economy at large.
Following is the exclusive story:
Planned Olusegun Agagu University Of Science And Technology Will Drive Nigeria’s Economy – Ogunduyile
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has announced the plan by his administration to rename the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, OSUSTECH, after its founder and former Governor of the state, late Dr. Olusegun Agagu. In this interview, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Sunday Roberts Ogunduyile, spoke of how the name-change would impact positively on the ongoing moves to transform Ondo State into the hub of Marine Technology in the country; and thereby turn the institution to a foremost intellectual and technological power house driving Nigeria’s economy. This, he added, is an elixir for the institution in its striving to become a first class university of global reckoning, raising a corpus of competent graduates who can respond appropriately to the technological needs of our dear Country. He reeled out other new academic programmes in the works that are highly relevant to the nation’s economy. They would soon be introduced in the institution. He spoke in his office with Banji Ayoola of The Radiance.
Here is the full interview:
How do you react to the planned renaming of OSUSTECH by Ondo State Government?
Our reaction is positive. In fact we are very happy to receive that information. I as the Vice Chancellor of Ondo State University of Science and Technology was particularly happier than any other person because it would lead to quite a number of positive things to come.
One, the image of the university is going to be enhanced. It is going to be thrown open to both local and international levels. Branding it Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology is the best thing that could happen this time.
The state government must have consulted very widely; and even without consultation, the activities of the founders of this university are well known all over; and I am sure people would react positively to it. So we are very happy. The university community is happy. We’ve held meetings to even make it known to Mr. Governor that it is a very good gesture for us.
What about the rebranding?
The rebranding is one thing. I was telling a friend recently when he was talking about the cost of rebranding. The cost of rebranding cannot be higher than the intention that the Governor has by changing that name. The moment you change a name, you give a new thing then rebranding follows. And I am sure, irrespective of what it’s going to take us, the Government that has decided to do this to the benefit of the community and university would actually assist the university when it comes to rebranding. Because when you look at it, you would see that there are many items to be rebranded.
The university itself through that process would be rebranded; and every commodity within the system would also be rebranded. And I even want to believe that even staff members would be rebranded in the process because they would have a lot to learn.
Then we also look at the activities that would be coming in. When you look at the mission and vision of this university, we are yet to arrive. This rebranding, like I mentioned, is going to expose us to both international and local organisations to see that we are meeting up with this new name.
Remarkably, before you came in, there were conflicts here and there. But since you came in, tension has doused and certain achievements have been recorded. What accounts for these?
Thank you very much. When I was assuming duties, or taking up this appointment, the gate of the university was under lock and key. There were lots of agitations. The moment I came in, I had to meet with the unions outside of the university, to plead with them and tell them that I am accessible. And by my nature, I prefer dialogue. So through that promise, the gate was opened; and that gave me the opportunity to visit all the kabiyesis in the Southern Senatorial Zone for two good days, to give them my assurance, to assure them that the university would never be locked again.
And based on that, I had to continue to dialogue with both staff and students occasionally even on my own account, take them out of the university, discuss issues being considered very important. And we thrashed them out under a very good atmosphere. Everybody speaks his mind, and at the end of the day, I tried as much as possible to implement. And my door here is open. You can see the number of both staff and students coming in. Not that it is convenient; but for the sake of maintaining peace. I have their telephone numbers, the union leaders. Occasionally, I reach out to them even from my purse. It is when the relationship is deep that you can get that assurance that you want; and God has been helping us. That has been the method.
Again, notably, before you took office, there was only one faculty here. But when you came in, two others were added.
Thank you very much. Before I came in, there was just one faculty, the Faculty of Science. And the administrative section was operating several kilometres from here. So the first thing I did when I came in was to move the administrative section to the permanent site where we have about 17 or 19 uncompleted buildings. I moved the administration to the permanent site so that people coming could see our needs. It has not been convenient. But so far as we have our aims and objectives, we believe things would change.
So when I came in, there was a faculty. And I looked through the academic brief. There are about five or six faculties to be established. We started the move immediately, and to God be the glory, within the first one year, we were able to get additional two faculties, and one extra Department of Statistics. The new faculties, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Aquaculture and so on, we were able to add.
And presently, we are working on Marine Engineering, Marine Science, Geology and Computer Engineering. All these have been approved at the Senate level. We are putting finishing touches to them. So, very shortly, you would begin to have Marine Engineering, Marine Science and so on that are relevant, and really embedded in the vision and mission of this university. Now we have three faculties. We are going to have more before the end of this year.
What would be the impact of this planned Marine Science Faculty on the economy of the nation?
It has a lot of impacts. When you look at Marine courses in Nigeria, I think there are just three universities having Marine courses. And when you look at the Maritime sector, is it the job opportunities you want to mention, they are there. In fact, graduates of Marine Technology don’t even need to look for jobs because at the international level, the moment you key into the organisation, a sort of umbrella that has been created for them, you discover that before you finish here, another country would be taking you up.
Apart from that, the development of facilities, building of ships, transportation on the high sea, all these are part of the courses to be offered. And it is most suitable for this environment. We have succeeded in having an agreement with a notable Marine University in Jamaica, Caribbean Maritime University. They visited us. They visited Mr. Governor; and Mr. Governor has given us approval to meet with them so that we can solidarise and we can make it more solid when we start. So, that is the level we are with these courses.
Then, Ondo State would be the hub of the nation’s technological development, and Marine Technology particularly?
Yes, by the grace of God. You know we have the longest sea coastline, and there are many facilities along the line. If Ondo State Government can tap in very deeply, and give us the support that we need, this would hasten the transformation of Ondo State.
This is because when you mention all these courses, they are so capital-intensive; very intensive when it comes to spending. But since our Governor has shown interest right from the beginning, he has announced it at two or three occasions that Marine has to stay in OSUSTECH, you would believe with me that it is really interesting. All the facilities that are needed, I am sure he would provide.
What would be the benefits that would accrue to Ondo State with this planned Marine Technology?
Yes. Like I mentioned, there would be job opportunities. Then you would have international people coming for exchange programmes. That is part of what the state would benefit. And I mentioned the issue of process and materials and whatever. They all go with it. I mentioned the ship issue. They were building ships around here before, long time ago. With modern technology, if Ondo State can work on that, it is an international thing.
And thank God that our Governor is already working on the road that leads to Lagos through this environment. You would see the pouring in of international people who are interested to develop the state. When you think of Marine, it goes with many things, Fisheries, Aquaculture; all these limestones that are underneath the sea would be fully explored. So, Ondo State would benefit immensely from it.
And it is going to project the name of the state, even above other states. Places where we have Marine Technology, we have in Delta, Lagos and OSUSTECH is coming up now. Where they have it again, some of them do not even have the water, the coastal area that we have. So it’s going to be an added advantage to us. We have a university that offers Marine Science without sea coast. But with what we have here, the state would benefit immensely.
What of the planned Environmental Technology Faculty?
Yes. Faculty of Environmental Technology is equally important. When you look at the academic brief, that programme has not been captured; but we are already working out a programme to be introduced to Council for approval. But then these ones would have to stabilise. Then that would be the next step. It is an area where many people from this environment can also go into.
You know, as you start Marine Technology, you start all other courses. The issue of Estate Management, where people would live, would come in. the programme of Architecture would come in. The programme of Urban and Regional Planning to assist the university would come in. Even the Industrial Design aspect would come in. All these courses, Geo Informatics, still part of Environmental, is going to be an added advantage to whatever we have on these programmes that we are having.
There are plans which you announced sometimes to introduce diploma and pre-degree courses. How far have you gone about these?
We have created the Directorate of Continuing Education; and we have just appointed a new Director. That Director has mapped out courses. We have Diploma at the lower level for some of the Marine courses. We also have Diploma in Sporting and Forensic Studies. You know, when an athlete or a soccer player, somebody who is going for international sporting event, there is usuallythis testing of their blood. We are creating a section for that; and we have many people who are ready for this.
People have approached us, even to start programme in Certificate in Local Government Administration Technology Sporting activities, Marine courses, Computer Science at the Diploma level, and other professional courses. We have CELT – Centre for Entrepreneurship and Leadership Training and Skills Development. All these are programmes of the Federal Government, where skills acquisition are taught, are also coming in under that programme. The blueprint of what is to be done would be submitted next week by the new Director. Council has given us just three months to report back on what we have been doing. We want to achieve that very fast.
How have you been able to fund your programmes?
First and foremost, I must thank the state government. When you look at the university from inception, I was lucky to have come in when Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, came in. it was around the same time. When he came in, the first thing he did was the road. Within a short time, we had the road properly developed. Before, to come in to the campus, you would find it difficult because it was so marshy. But look at the beautiful road.
And as he came in, he sent us some delegates from the US to look at what we had and how they could help us. Before you know it, NDDC (Niger Delta Development Commission) gave us big water tanker and fire extinguisher, big one. Of course we are yet to develop that one fully because of the facilities required.
After doing that, there was the accreditation issue and we were afraid, how do we go about it. We don’t have enough facilities. We cried to Mr. Governor. He was magnanimous to give us half of what we needed. And we were able to add more from our source. Then the accreditation which we were all scared of succeeded; and all the programmes under Science that were due were approved by the NUC (National Universities Commission). I have just received a letter from Mr. Governor congratulating us for this achievement.
Then, apart from that, Mr. Governor released money. You can see some of the abandoned projects as you came in. He released some money recently. You would have seen the changes by now. But the contractor handling that job has not given us the cost that would be acceptable to us. He has tripled the cost of making them up to date; and that is delaying. But we are appealing to Mr. Governor that as soon as our Council meets with him, he would see what to do with that contract. So if we have that, you can agree with me that the problem of spacing that we are having now, would surely reduce.
Then we have a very big library; we have administrative block; and the auditorium. These three major ones are the ones we want to concentrate on. By the time we have the administrative block completed, all of us in the administration would move there. The library is occupying another building that is meant for eatery. They would move. Then the auditorium would be another good one. If these three projects are completed, I am sure before they get completed, Mr. Governor would visit us again.
Have there been some philanthropists showing interest in funding some programmes, projects, activities, courses of the university?
We have started with a fund raising committee. I have traveled with the Development Officer to see some organisations. We’ve gone to FCMB (First City Merchant Bank) headquarters. We are expecting their support. They’ve given us their promise. We’ve gone to NEM, this insurance company. They are also granting one thing or the other. Then we are negotiating with Berger Paints; even if it is to repaint all these buildings would help us a lot.
Then, also the Nigerian Communication Commission has been with us; and they have been very magnanimous. They have donated 220 laptops to this university recently. We are reaching out to them and individuals too. We have one or two people who have donated for University prizes because we are yet to graduate students. We are hoping that by the time the fund raising proper is done, where we would have our dignitaries from all over Nigeria with a government administration, we believe we would be able to achieve much more.
What are the specific challenges that you are facing on which you would want the government, philanthropists, Ondo State indigenes, well meaning individual and corporate Nigerians, individuals and international agencies worldwide to come to the aid of the institution?
One of the major things we need now has to do with hostel accommodation. We have two there that are yet to be completed. Even when the two are completed, we still need more. One of them is OSOPADEC (Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission). And Mr. Governor is working on that. We’ve been discussing; and they have assured us that they are coming soon.
This morning, (March 27, 2019), I just spoke with the boss in NDDC that is handling the second project. He is sending somebody to me next week Thursday. We discussed this morning. I don’t allow them to rest. So we are hoping.
Then individuals have shown interest in BOT (Build and Transfer). We have quite a number of them. But where we have problems with those who came earlier was that they would want to charge higher, not the economic rate; and there is a limit to what the students can pay. So when we sign agreement with them to please come, the next thing is that you won’t hear from them. But we have two that are solid; and we are going to commence work with them very soon.
You know, academic is never complete without hostels when it comes to this type of a thing. Students learn better when they are in the same space. Our students are scattered all over, exposed to all sorts of dangers. But we believe that when OSOPADEC, NDDC complete these, that would be the beginning of hostel accommodation.
Another area is that this university has not been able to meet some community needs. Computer based examination for JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) is yet to take off. The Governor has given his directives, and we are reporting back to him the problems we are facing. JAMB has given its list of things that must be put in place, and we are yet to cope. Initially, we had these laptop computers that were given to us. But it is better we use desktops. So we are pleading.
I have visited so many organisations. The Omowa Club, I have been at their meetings. I have written to personalities. We have collated 443 names of prominent people from the Southern Senatorial Zone and from other zones; and we are reaching out to them one after the other. And we are getting good responses, promises. We know by the time we are persistent, at least two out of four would respond to our needs. We are doing that.
The issue is that when I came in there were about 920 students. This year alone we have admitted 1,003; which means by the time we do our matriculation, the total number of students we are going to have would be about 5,000. I am still managing the old spaces. It is going to give us a lot of headache by the time these students settle.
I have started calling them group by group to sensitise them, to plead with them that facilities would be made available. And it has been working. But there is a limit to which you can go. At one time the troublesome ones among them could stir the problem. So the issue of spacing is another thing. Then, when you look at our vehicles, they are all old. And when you look at the monies students are paying, they are already meant for so many things. It is only the tuition that is free, that we can call IGR (Internally Generated Revenue). Students who pay for ID cards would have to get ID cards. Those who pay for health would have to go to the health centre, and drugs have to be provided. That’s why the money can never be enough for universities.
All these things are posing problems, challenges. By the time you remove the issues of accommodation; office spaces; laboratories that we don’t have; and then staff quarters, they are all half way completed. The Vice Chancellor’s Lodge, the Bursar’s Lodge, are all in the bush there. But we are believing that God would answer our prayers, and those buildings would be completed so as to make life more comfortable. Those are the problems we are having, challenges that we face every day. And you know, our students are from different homes. One would need to do a lot of counseling, which we have been doing.
There is the issue of staffing. We need staff. But one thing that is scaring us from doing that is how do we pay their salaries. The government is trying. But when you look at our needs, you would agree with me that we need qualified people who can handle the various departments. For instance, they are just two at the ICT Centre. And look at the number of students.
When you tabulate the money that would be spent on salaries, you are forced to restrict yourself to so limited areas. So, it is another challenge. The Governor has tried by paying our salary up to date. We believe they would help us to top it; because certain percentage was taken out of it sometimes. But I believe they are going to restore this.
Any further comments?
My comment is to appreciate the Governing Council where you have prominent government officials and my colleagues. We appreciate them; we thank them for their efforts at seeing that OSUSTECH becomes a place that you can be proud of. And also the students; they’ve been cooperating. If I hear any news, both the SSS, the DPO, I contact them immediately and we resolve issues. That has been keeping the university to remain, to survive. So I must appreciate every one of them. Thank you very much.
The Radiance also interviewed the Acting Registrar, Mr Felix Oladapo Akinnusi, who amplified the Vice Chancellor’s words. Excerpts:
With the planned name change of OSUSTECH, what is your picture of a new university?
Like you have said, the name of any human being or organisation depicts the type of product, behaviour that is expected of that organisation or human being.
Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology would actually let us see the vision as Dr. Agagu had planned the university. Agagu, the way I knew him, was a man of taste, a man of vision. And his vision for this university was a 21st century university; a university that can compare to any university in the world. So, with the change, I would expect that the university would change dramatically from its present position to the university that was actually envisioned by the founder, Dr Olusegun Agagu.
How have you been mobilising the available human and material resources to support the administration of the Vice Chancellor in running this institution?
Essentially, that is my duty, to support the Vice Chancellor in achieving his dreams for this university. We have a challenge. Funding is an issue. However the little we have, we’ve been able to manage successfully to make sure that we deliver on our mandate.
For instance in the last few months, we had our accreditation exercise; and we had to mobilise the little resources that we had to make sure that the exercise went well. And to the glory of God, when the result came out, we almost had 100percent accreditation. Out of nine programmes, we had eight successful and just one interim. So we have been doing that quite well despite paucity of fund. I would continue to do that to support the Vice Chancellor’s vision.
The Vice Chancellor is a man of courage. He has courage in making sure that whatever he feels is good, he would also pursue. He has been doing that and he has been achieving. When he came, he worked so hard to make sure we added additional programmes, additional faculties. Formerly, we were just one-faculty university. But with his arrival, we broke the jinx and he added two more faculties and some other programmes. And many more are also in the pipeline. So we would support the Vice Chancellor. We would mobilise human and material resources to support him in achieving his objectives.
Further comments?
Just to thank you because OSUSTECH that is going to change from OSUSTECH to Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology is going to be a university of our dream, a university that delivers its mandate. By the grace of God in another few years, what you would see here would beat the imagination of people because everyone is ready, all hands are on deck.
Ogunduyile was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of OSUSTECH by the Ondo State Government on Tuesday 21st February, 2017.
A distinguished Professor of Industrial Design, he is a seasoned academic and a highly experienced administrator of over three decades. He was once Dean, School of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), and former Director, FUTA Business Development Company; among other administrative and academic positions.
He hails from Ondo City in Ondo State; and has published several articles in both local and international learned academic journals. He has over 40 publications and studio works to his credit. Besides, he has authored and co-authored many books.
He has participated and presented papers and works of Arts in over 40 national, regional and international conferences, workshops and exhibitions. He presented his Inaugural lecture at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in 2005. It was entitled: “Cottage Textile Production: A step out of Poverty.”
Ogunduyile has equally received many commendations, honours and awards. He is listed in the Nigerian Artists, Who is Who and Bibliography, compiled and published by Smithsonian Library, USA.
He received award for the best logo design for cocoa producing countries in 2,000; Master Artist Award by Society of Nigerian Artists; Distinguished Leadership Award; and FUTA Governing Council Award for Outstanding Contributions; to mention a few.
He is Patron, Nigerian Army Cadet Corps; and Grand Patron, Federation of Artists and Artistes in Nigeria.
He is a member of the Nigeria Society of Education Through Art; Nigeria Association of Textile Technologists, Fabric and Garment Designers; Society of Nigerian Artists; Arts Council of African Studies Association, USA; and Secretary, Association of African Industrial Designers; among others.
He is also a reviewer to some Academic and Professional Journals; Editor, Journal of Federation of Artists and Artistes, Lagos; Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Industrial Design and Technology, FUTA; Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Arts and Ideas, Department of Fine and Applied Arts, OAU, Ile-Ife; and others.
He is an external Examiner and Assessor to over ten state and federal universities and polytechnics in Nigeria, as well as some other notable universities in Africa.
Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, described the planned renaming of the institution after Dr Agagu as a great development and due recognition by Governor Akeredolu, of the uncommon and exemplary qualities of the late Governor.
Olowolabi, who served as Chief Press Secretary to the late Dr Agagu, recalled how the former Governor resisted all parochial pressures to site OSUSTECH in Iju Odo, his home town, said that Akeredolu’s decision has attracted statewide applause, even from the opposition.
The Commissioner told The Radiance that Agagu had stood his ground that Okitipupa, being the headquarters of the old Okitipupa Division, and the melting point of the entire Ondo South Senatorial District, should host the University.
Waxing philosophical, he said that the planned renaming shows that good deeds would always be rewarded.
In Olowolabi’s words: “It is a great development, one decision of policy of government that has attracted statewide applause.
Even people from other parties have loudly applauded the decision of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to rename the University after the late Dr Olusegun Agagu, who established that University; resisted pressures mounted by many people to put the University in Iju Odo, his home town; and said that Okitipupa is the capital and the melting point of Ondo South.
For Governor Akeredolu to rename the University after him shows that there is no good you do in life that would be left unrewarded.
It is a good step and we applaud the Governor for doing that.”
Reacting, the Agagu family expressed deep appreciation to Akeredolu for the honour done the late Governor in immortalising his name.
Speaking on behalf of the family and the teeming admirers of his late brother, the state’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, who also served as the Chief of Staff, COS, to the former Governor, Mr. Femi Agagu, thanked Akeredolu for the honour. He said that it was thoughtful of Akeredolu to bestow honour on one of his predecessors.
Also, another brother of the former Governor, Prof Akinsola Agagu, said the family would ever remain grateful to the Governor for the honour, as he described the honour as timely and in the right direction. The honour, he said, would encourage those who are privileged to do their best for the state, the country and people in whatever positions they occupy, and leave good legacies behind.
The don, a political scientist, noted that his late brother established the university, funded the existing one and financed education at all levels in the state. Beyond that, he noted that the late Governor made a laudable infrastructural achievement. According to him, part of the Agagu vision was to re-invent skill acquisition in the state through a University of Science and Technology to produce well-trained graduate manpower in the area of Technology.
Also, son of the former Governor, Feyi, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Akeredolu for the honour done his late father; saying the Agagu family “is humbled by the gesture from the Government and People of Ondo State.
His father, he said, would be greatly honoured in his grave because the university which he established has become an excellent institution for training quality graduates in courses dearest to him.
Feyi hoped that the university would continue to showcase outstanding academic breakthroughs in core engineering courses like Marine Engineering and Port Management which shaped his father’s desire to establish the university.
Also, eminent citizens of the state commended the Governor for the honour.
A former Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Victor Olabimtan described the decision as the best, noting that the former Governor deserves it. He described Agagu as a legend.
In her reaction, Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board, Princess Oladunni Odu said the entire Ikale people welcome the decision; as she described the seven years reign of Agagu as Governor as satisfactory because it brought honour to the state.
She said the Ikale people would stand by Akeredolu for honouring their late illustrious son.
Also, Senator Boluwaji Kunlere described Agagu as an illustrious son of Ondo State who deserves the honour.
Governor Akeredolu, who is also the Visitor to OSUSTECH, had on March 19 in Okitipupa, announced Agagu’s planned immortalisation during his appreciation visit to Ondo South Senatorial District , as part of his statewide tour to thank the people for their support for candidates of his party, All Progressive Congress, in the last assembly election.
His words: “You know we have Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba and it won’t be bad to have Olusegun Agagu University in Okitipupa.
“When we came on board, we noticed that the university lacked infrastructural facilities, a good road network and other areas which we looked into and fixed them.
“The project would have been added to the museum of abandoned projects, hence the need for the major upgrade by this administration.”
Akeredolu assured that the matter would be tabled before the State House of Assembly by the two newly-elected members representing Okitipupa 1 and 2 constituencies, Akinrogunde Akintomide and Akinwumi Emmanuel, who would move the motion for the renaming of the University.
According to the governor, it is a decision that can only be taken by the House of Assembly and they would move the motion as their first assignment, as soon as the House resumes
“You know we have Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba and it won’t be bad to have Olusegun Agagu University in Okitipupa.
“When we came on board, we noticed that the university lacked infrastructural facilities, a good road network and other areas which we looked into and fixed them.
“The project would have been added to the museum of abandoned projects, hence the need for the major upgrades by this administration,” he said.
Akeredolu, who thanked the people for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during the last elections, lauded them and sought for their continued support for the party.
The late governor was an illustrious son of Iju Odo in Okitipupa Local Government area of the state, in Ondo South Senatorial District, who died at 65 on September 13, 2013.
Agagu is fondly remembered in Nigeria as a consummate politician; a first class geologist and lecturer who, for years imparted knowledge to many people across the world; a meticulous brilliant planner and administrator; a great son and icon who truly loved Ondo state; a national hero; a man who never held grudges, whose death was described as a great loss to the state and the country.
On the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he governed Ondo State between May 29, 2003 and February 2009, when a court voided his re-election.
A close associate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Agagu served as the first Aviation minister of the Obasanjo administration in 1999, before he came home to contest governorship election.
Obasanjo had on June 29, 2006 commended him for the work he had done leading Ondo State, saying “You have taken time to plan. We have also seen that the execution of the plan is now showing results.”
As planned by its founder, Dr. Olusegun Agagu: “The Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) University will be a world class institution of higher learning that will attract and prepare intelligent and talented young men and women from diverse backgrounds within the State, Nigeria and beyond for all round training and development in science and technology. This will position them for scientific discovery and innovations that will positively impact on the society and influence the decision-making processes of the State and the country at large.”
It was envisioned “to be a leading internationally-recognised institution, raising a corpus of technologically-competent individuals able to respond to the needs of their environment in a technologically-driven economy”.
Its mission is “to provide sound scientific, technological and professional training, identify technological needs and problems, solve them within the context of community, national needs, and sustainable development”
Founded in 2008, the Governing Council of the University was inaugurated on 27th September 2010; academic activities took off fully in January 2011 while the matriculation of the first set of students held on Thursday 3rd of March 2011.
With its motto of “For Society and Development,” the University aims at providing the needed manpower training to address the critical areas of industrial and technological development of Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole.
