By Banji Ayoola
Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa would be renamed after a former Governor of the state, the late Dr Kokumo Olusegun Agagu.
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.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, disclosed the planned immortalisation of the former governor on Tuesday during a thank-you tour to Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo Southern Senatorial District.
According to him, the two newly-elected House of Assembly members representing Okitipupa 1 and 11 constituencies, Akineogunde Akinfomide and Akinwumi Emmanuel would move the motion for the renaming of the University to Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa.
He said that it is a decision that can only be taken by the House of Assembly and they would move the motion as their first assignment.
Akeredolu said: “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.
“The project would have been added to the museum of abandoned projects, hence the need for the major upgrades by this administration”.
The governor who thanked the people for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during the election, lauded them and sought for their continued support for the party.
At the palace of Abodi of Ikaleland, Oba Babatunde Faduyile, congratulated the governor for the success recorded in the just concluded House of Assembly election across the state.
He also commended the governor for his giant strides in area of infrastructure, especially the restoration of light to the area, and the revival of the Okitipupa Oil Palm Limited.
The royal father further appealed for the construction of Okitipupa township roads, and adequate security for the resuscitated oil palm industry, among others.
On the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the late Agagu governed Ondo State between May 29, 2003 and February 2009, when a court voided his re-election on account of electoral irregularities.
He was replaced by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, his administration’s former Secretary to the State Government and arch political rival based on a court injunction.
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.”(
