As a result of persistent demands by Ijesa sons and daughters, the dream of upgrading the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa into a full fledged university will soon become a reality.
Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, vice chairman of the University Project Consultative Committee, dropped this hint at an interactive session with the media held at Henigan Events Centre, Imo Road, Ilesa on Tuesday.
Asiwaju Fasuyi expressed the heartfelt appreciation of the Ijesas to Governor Gboyega Oyetola for granting their request.
“Mr. Governor warmly received all the leaders of Ijesaland and with careful attentiveness gave a no-objection consent to the conversion of the 42 year old institution into a university. ” he said.
He noted that the UPCC which comprises of eminent sons and daughters of Ijesaland like; Chief Akin Akinola (Chairman), Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi (Vice-Chairman), Prof. Babatunde Agboola, Prof. Isaac Adewole, Barrister Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, Barrister Funmi Ibikan, Mr. Wale Idowu and Prof. Kolawole Kazeem are distinguished people capable of making the dream of upgrading the institution come true.
He called on all Ijesas at home and the diaspora to fully support efforts geared at meeting the requirements that will ensure the smooth take-off of the university that there is no looking back now that all the hands are on the plough.
Asiwaju Fasuyi revealed that as part of moves to fast track work on the take-off of the university, members of the UPCC will see to the speedy passage of University Laws by the Osun State House of Assembly to pave way for the approval by the National University Commission on time.
According to him, the UPCC will also focus on the preparation of the University Master Plan, The University Brief and launch a Fundraising to guarantee that the university commences on a sound footing.
He further stated that all the interventions to set the ball rolling for the university will be done free of charge by prominent sons and daughters of Ijesaland. In this regard, he enjoined all Ijesas to put their money where their mouth is by donating generously to the targeted 600 million naira fund to be contributed for the actualization of the university project.
In his contribution, Prof. Isaac Adewole declared that the, “university will be different in the sense that the vision was to tap into the 1000 hectares of land on which the institution presently sit to promote agriculture. It will also focus on technology, particularly mining, while the education programmes will be streamlined. We shall also ensure that the university produces job creators and not job seekers.” He stated.
Adewole noted that the Ijesas have not jettisoned the idea of having their own private university giving the fact that the Ijesa Development Association is fully committed to the development of Ijesaland.
“One interesting thing about Ijesas is that when we believe in any cause, we really get round and get it done. We have just completed the second Geriatric Centre in Nigeria. All hands are on deck and we shall tap into all our networks at home and diaspora and I believe we shall surpass the 600 million naira target to support the university”, he assured.
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