The Osun State Government has followed with keen interest the ongoing “auditing/screening exercise” at Ibadan, of the staff of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) by the Oyo State Government.
We wish to place it on record that the Osun State Government is not aversed to any legitimate action or exercise that is executed within the context of the extant laws establishing the LAUTECH, and in the spirit of its joint ownership.
In this context, however, the Government of Osun wishes to state categorically that:
1. If a need arises for a screening exercise, or any other action for that matter, it should be carried out within the context of the extant laws establishing the University; Osun State Government will therefore only support an exercise/action, that is conducted without prejudice to the laws.
2. For the avoidance of doubt, the so-called screening exercise infringes upon the responsibility of the Governing Council.
Sequel to these, the Government of Osun wishes to recommend as follows:
a. The Governing Council of LAUTECH which was technically and unilaterally incapacitated by the Oyo State Government’s withdrawal of their representatives should forthwith be re-instated and allowed the freedom to carry out its statutory duties to enable the University function properly.
b. You cannot run a university without a governing council because it is not a provision store. Everything starts and ends with the council, and everything done without the council is illegal and cannot stand.
c. We also find it strange that the Governor of the State of Osun, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola who is the Visitor to the University, was not even consulted about this ‘screening ‘.
d. We are also not unaware that this ‘screening’ is a provocative process targeted at intimidating LAUTECH workers of Osun origin.
d. As at today, LAUTECH is still jointly owned by both Oyo and Osun states. The only fair path is for the two owner state governments to meet immediately to iron out all issues that will allow LAUTECH function, at least in the interim, in tandem with finding a permanent solution to the various crises.
Suffice to conclude that the interest of the university, the staff, the students, and their parents is of utmost importance to Osun State Government.
