Oyetola inaugurates implementation committee on Ilesa varsity

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun on Wednesday inaugurated the implementation committee for the proposed University of Ilesa.

Oyetola said that the upgrade of the existing Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, to a full fledged university was not a product of wasted effort, but rather of thorough and rigorous interrogation.

The governor, during the inauguration in his office, Abere, Osogbo, said that the proposed university had been carefully conceived as a thoroughly entrepreneurial and innovative institution that would be funded through a mix of sources.

He said the university would be founded in partnership with government, community, industry, and other stakeholders, without exerting unnecessary pressure on the finances of the state.

Oyetola assured that the running of the affairs of the university, when established, would be a model.

He noted that the proposed university would undoubtedly be unique as it is being carefully nurtured to be inoculated from the perennial challenges that plague an average public university in the country, but benchmarked against the best global practices.

Oyetola, who emphasised his administration’s commitment to building a truly diversified and resilient economy, said the idea of the university, became necessary to further expand access to qualitative education, among other opportunities, for the teeming young population.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Olu Aina, promised the committee would not only meet the target, but also beat the expectations.

According to Aina, members of the committee have given their consent to serve with utmost diligence and commitment to ensure the quick actualisation of the upgrade of the college to a full fledged university.

“Going by the caliber of people and personalities in this committee, I am confident we will deliver on our mandate.

“I commended Mr Governor for organising this team. I am assuring you that we will not let you down.

“I appreciate the government for rising to the upgrade of the college. With this gesture, government has done the needful,” he said.

Members of the committee are; former Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Prof. Labo Popoola; a former Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University, Prof. Yemisi Obilade; former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Lead City University, Prof. Jide Owoeye.

Others are; Pioneer Vice-Chancellor Osun State University, Prof. Sola Akinrinade; Professor of English Language and Applied Linguistics, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun, and Mr Rasheed Sarumi.

It was reported that the State House of Assembly on Aug. 8, 2022, passed a the bill seeking to upgrade the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa to a full fledged university.