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Tag: Ogbomoso

  • Hijab crisis : Normalcy returns to LAUTECH school

    Two days after the crisis caused by use of hijab at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) International School, normalcy has been restored in the school as academic activities have resumed without any hindrance.

    On Monday about 55 female students who wore hijab on the school uniform were barred from entering the school premises, while others were forced to remove their hijab before been allowed into the school premises.

    The vexed issue which attracted public attention last Monday was resolved after a peace meeting between Muslim students’ parents, the school management and security agents as well as other stakeholders.

    The parents who said that they have waited for several years to ensure that their children are allowed to use Hijab in the school urged the management of the school to expedite actions on the matter.

    They urged the school authority to consider the issue as an emergency situation which should be treated with required expediency.

    The parents under the auspices of LAUTECH staff school and LAUTECH international college, Ogbomoso, Muslim Parents’ Forum, expressed their grievances on the failure of the school management to address the Muslim parents early enough.

    The parents in a communique made available to journalists in Ibadan after a peace meeting held with stakeholders of LAUTECH Staff school (LSS) and LAUTECH International college (LICO), Ogbomoso, argued that “the school process is a continuum and nothing should retard the ongoing efforts of the Committee that has been put in place to address the issue of Hijab”.

    In attendance at the meeting were: Chairman Governing Board (LAUTECH International College, Ogbomoso), Chairman Governing Board (LAUTECH Staff School), Chairman Ogbomoso Parapo, Chairman PTA LAUTECH Staff School, Chairman PTA LAUTECH International College Ogbomoso, Chairman LAUTECH Security Committee, DSS Ogbomoso North Local Government, Principal LAUTECH International College Ogbomoso, Headmistress LAUTECH Staff School, Representative of the LAUTECH Public Relations Unit and representatives of Muslim Parents.

    The concerned parents in the communique signed by the duo of Mr. Ismaheel Adigun and Mr. AbdulRahman Elegbede, Chairman and Secretary respectively, a copy which was made available to newsmen yesterday, stated that the process relating to the use of Hijab by willing female Muslim pupils of LAUTECH Staff School and LAUTECH International College be concluded in earnest.

    The statement reads, “Sequel to the peaceful meeting held on Monday 14th January 2019 at LAUTECH International College, Ogbomoso (LICO) premises with the key stakeholders about the use of Hijab by the willing female Muslim pupils, the followings were the key highlights of the resolutions at the meeting.

    “That the process for the consideration of the use of Hijab has dragged too long since 2011; That the parents strongly express dissatisfaction on the unruly behaviour and arrant use of vulgar language by some teachers against the Muslim parents.

    “The Muslim parents expressed their grievances on the failure of the School management to address the Muslim parents early enough while attack is coming from teachers.

    “That it was observed that there was a communication gap between the management of the schools and the Muslim parents on the ongoing efforts of the School in respect of the use of the Hijab by willing female Muslim pupils.

    “That a committee had already been put in place by the Governing Board to look at the issue of the School uniform as it relates to Hijab among other things. An appeal was made to Muslim parents to allow the ongoing process of the Committee be concluded.

    “The management should consider the issue as an emergency situation and should be treated with the required expediency. That the school process is a continuum and nothing should retard the ongoing efforts of the Committee that has been put in place to address the issue of Hijab.

    “We humbly appeal that the process relating to the use of Hijab by willing female Muslim Pupils of LAUTECH Staff School and LAUTECH International College be concluded in earnest”.

  • LAUTECH appoints new VC, two others

    The Governing Council of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, has announced the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor and two other principal officers.

    A statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Lekan Fadeyi, named Prof. Michael Ologunde, a renowned professor of food science, as the new vice chancellor.

    The council also appointed Dr Kayode Ogunleye as Registrar and Mr Abayomi Okediji as Bursar.

    The newly appointed vice chancellor will take over the running of the institution from the incumbent, Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin, whose five-year tenure will end on Feb. 14, 2019.

    Read Also:Don proffers solution to LAUTECH crisis

     

    The council said that Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his Osun State counterpart, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, had approved the appointments as recommended by the Prof. Dapo Afolabi-led governing council.

    It hinted that the position of the University Librarian would be filled soon.

    “The council at its 135th special meeting held last week had directed that the vacancy in the position be re-advertised while the process of appointing a new University Librarian be concluded on or before Jan. 25, 2019,” it said.

    The statement explained that the appointments would take effect from Feb. 14, 2019.

  • ‘Why Ogbomoso should produce governor’

    In this piece, Moses Olorode examines the succession battle in Oyo State and the agitation for power shift to Ogbomoso by indigenes.

    In a few days time, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be conducting the all important primaries to choose its candidates for next year’s governorship elections throughout the country. It is going to be a make or mar decision for the APC, especially in some of the states controlled by the party.

    Right now the party is embroiled in a controversy over whether it should adopt the direct or indirect mode for selection of candidates. While most members have voiced their preference for the direct primaries many of the incumbent governors are known to be in favour of the indirect mode. The situation is so volatile in some states that it is threatening to tear the party apart.

    In Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi appears determined to create a level playing ground for all contestants, whether the party adopts the direct or indirect method to select its candidate. Out of the 40 members who are vying for the party’s ticket, only about five or six of them have actually bought and submitted their nomination forms.

    In making the crucial decision on the issue of primaries, the APC under Governor Ajimobi’s leadership has consistently displayed a commendable degree of non-partisanship knowing that any mistake in making the wrong choice might spell doom for the party.

    In Oyo State today, the people are scary about who occupies the Agodi Government House after Ajimobi. Two of the serious contenstants, Olasunkanmi Tegbe and Adebayo Adelabu are money bags who many believe might go for their enormous financial arsenals to sway members to their sides in the forthcoming primaries. Both of them are from Ibadanland. The three other major contestants are Mr. Niyi Akintola (SAN), Alhaji Adebayo Shittu and Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala.

    Out of all five principal contestants, only three can actually be reckoned with, two of them, Bayo Adelabu and Olasunkanmi Tegbe, because of their financial muscles and one because of his antecedents and popularity. Niyi Akintola who though has made some fortunes from his legal practice may not come into very serious reckoning under the present scenario.

    Now, if the APC must win the forthcoming governorship election in the State, it must be stern and businesslike when deciding who to field for the next elections. Money and parochial sentiments must not be given a pride of place as any attempt to do so will produce a negative result. If party members succumb to the influence of money or sentiments, it is certain that a wrong choice will be made as the candidate that is most likely to emerge will be from Ibadanland. And therein lie the problem and the danger.

    Anti-Ibadan sentiments now pervade the entire 22 out of the 33 local government areas of Oyo State. Ibadan controls eleven local governments but with a population larger than all the 22 local government areas put together. And this accounts for the reason why the area, Ibadanland has produced five governors from the Second Republic (1979) till date, giving room for the other 22 LG areas to produce occupant of the seat only once.

    Now, if an Ibadan man is allowed, either covertly or overtly to contest for the governorship this particular time around, then the anti-Ibadan feelings will swell up more than ever before among the remaining 22 constituent local government areas of the State. Massive protest votes from those areas might seriously affect the chances of the “chosen candidate of Ibadanland” and leave room for the opposition to outsmart the APC with deft and smart political manoeuvres.

    This writer is an Ibadanman himself, probably more ‘Ibadan’ than either Adelabu or Tegbe and I have never shared the sentiments or opinions of those who believe that the Ibadans should govern the state forever simply because of their numerical strength. Apart from incumbent Gov. Abiola, who among the Ibadan indigenes who have governed the state can claim to have performed as much as the only one non-Ibadan ma who has ruled the state only once?

    Even among the Ibadan people themselves the indigene syndrome which their kins often used to win their votes may not hold water this time around and reasons for this may not be far-fetched. One of such is that the people had been consistently disappointed by the dismal performances of their own sons who had been governors before now – the only exception being the present incumbent.

    Unlike what happens in some states of the country, the people of Oyo State and the South West in general do not worship or defer to money bags and would rather consider the political antecedents as well as past socio/economic contributions of a candidate before going along with him. Electors have since adopted the attitude of ‘collect their money and vote for your conscience’.

    Thirdly, the people have come to realise that money-bag politicians are no Father Christmas who will part with his gifts without recouping the source. They believe, and rightly too, that the first occupation of a money bag on getting to office is to quickly look for means of replenishing his bank accounts which have been badly depleted during campaign activities.

    Also, these wealthy young politicians, the people believe, wound always have their attention divided between state duties and personal business to the detriment and chagrin of those who voted them into power. They would rather prefer to cast their lot with a man who has enough political experience, knows where the shoe pinches the common man and whose antecedents at governance can easily be recalled by the people.

    One major factor that is bound to come into play is the vexed issue of the Ibadan dominance of Oyo States politics in the last 26 years. This situation is deeply resented by inhabitants of the other parts of the state who, in spite of their determined bid to reverse the trend have succeeded in producing a governor only once, in the person of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala from Ogbomoso.

    Ibadan is followed by Ogbomoso as major population concentration areas and the open and general argument is that, if Ibadan has produced five governors within the period under review, then, it stands to reason that Ogbomoso should be allowed to complete its two-term slot before moving the train to other areas of the state.

    This time around, elders of Ibadanland should follow the examples of the Patrons Club, Ibadan, a socio/cultural group that has been championing the cause of equitable distribution of political office among the component parts of the state. We should stop using the issue of numerical strength of one area to deny other areas of their inalienable rights.

    The basic fact is that though Ibadan has the advantage of being home to the largest number of people, the other areas can also boast of two thirds of the 33 local government areas of the state while their combined land mass is three times that of Ibadanland.

  • Oyetola, Omisore, others pledge to solve LAUTECH crisis

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Alh. Gboyega Oyetola, Friday pledged to sustain the commitment of the state to the jointly owned Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.

    He also said a vote for him will translate to sustenance of the achievements of the outgoing governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

    Read Also:LAUTECH crisis: ASUU resists ‘commercialization’ of education

    The APC candidate said this during the first live debate by four of the leading candidates in the September 22 governorship election in Osogbo, the state capital.

    The governorship hopefuls slugged it out at the debate organized by the Yoruba service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) at the Osogbo campus of Osun State University.

    Only four candidates participated in the debate. They are Oyetola (APC), Sen. Iyiola Omisore (Social Democratic Party, SDP), Moshood Adeoti (African Democratic Party, ADP), and Fatai Akinbade of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sen. Nurudeen Adeleke, was absent.

    The five are the leading candidates in the election.

    When asked how he planned to address the LAUTECH problem, Oyetola said the state was performing its obligations to the institution, recalling that it recently released N1 billion to the university as part of the state’s obligation.

    He promised to sustain the culture of meeting Osun State’s obligation if elected.

    Omisore said he would facilitate a round table with the Oyo State Government and the management of the institution to take decisions on the way forward. He said he would not just lead Osun State out of the university but ensure that all thorny issues are addressed properly to allow the institution function maximally. Pulling out of joint ownership of LAUTECH would only be the last resort, he said. The institution is jointly owned by Osun and Oyo states.

    Oyetola said the state needs continuity of Aregbesola’s legacies to be able to replicate the Lagos example of development in Osun.

    In his own contributions, Adeoti promised to introduce incentives to attract teachers to rural areas. This, he said, would address migration of teachers from rural to urban areas which leaves rural schools struggling.

    To encourage transparency and prevent corruption, Akinbade promised to introduce due process in government dealings.

    All of them promised to clear salary arrears of workers if voted on September, 22.

  • ‘We’ll create jobs in Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun’

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Michael Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), has promised to stimulate economic growth in Ogbomoso and its environs.

    He made the pledge during his visits to leaders of the party in Ogbomosho and Oke Ogun zones ahead of the party’s primary in August to pick its standard bearer.

    The APC chieftain noted that Ogbomosho is enriched with farm produce, which could be processed into finished products for export.

    He said: “I have the blueprint on industrialisation of Ogbomosho, Oyo and Oke-Ogun, based on comparative advantage of each zone.

    “Ogbomosho has the best cashew nut and mango fruits in West Africa. I will ensure that we have fruit processing factories in at least five places in Ogbomosho, which will convert these fruits from harvesting into finished product for export. This will create thousands of jobs for our youths and empower our women financially.”

    Addressing the party’s leaders in Iseyin, Akintola promised to prioritise the Ikere Gorge Dam, which he said has the potential to generate electricity for Oyo State.

    He said: “If the dam is completed, it will generate close to 1,600 megawatt (MW) of power and provide irrigation for more than 3,000 hectares of farm land in Oke-Ogun and a larger part of Ibarapa region of Oyo State.”

     

  • Don decries dearth of medical specialists in academics

    Prof. Taiwo Adewole of the Department of Chemical Pathology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso,has raised alarm over the inadequacy of medical specialists in basic sciences at universities.,

    Adewole made the observation in a keynote address at the inaugural meeting and scientific conference of the Medical and Dental Specialists in Basic Medical Sciences ( MeDSABAS ) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The don, who defined basic medical sciences as the building block in medical practice, emphasized that in spite of this vital role professionals in the field would rather go into the clinical aspect.

    He decried that shortage of these manpower had impacted negatively on professionalism, adding that such lapses paved way for non-professionals in medical field to train basic medical sciences.

    The News men report the theme of the meeting is, “The Dearth of Medical Specialists in Basic Sciences: The way forward.’’

    X-raying the theme, Adewole attributed the inadequate manpower to poor remuneration and discrimination, among others.

    He noted that it had greatly affected the quality of students churned out from medical schools as majority of things taught were irrelevant to the profession.

    According to him, basically the challenges of the shortfall centered on students, medical specialists and universities themselves.

    The don defined medical specialists in basic sciences or academics as group of medically qualified lecturers in the university saddled with the responsibility of teaching basic medical sciences outside the clinical aspects.

    Adewole noted that due to poor welfare package large number of these professionals rather than using their wealth of experience to impact on the younger generation channel their wealth of experience into clinical aspects of the profession.

    “Every student wants to be a physician, gynecologists and pediatricians, among others. No one wants to go into academics.

    “Medical students are also good in academics because it is only doctors that are the best to teach doctors.

    “But if we fail to explore this area of medical profession and allow nonprofessionals to teach our students it would deter the competence and proficiency of our younger generations.
    “I encourage the students that there are good opportunities for medical students, who choose to go into academics.

    “So many of them have graduated with MBBS awaiting for residency programme, there is huge reward if they go back to academics where they come from, they should derive pleasure and fulfillment being a teacher training doctors in this country,’’

    Adewole, who described teaching in the profession as not attractive, however, recommended that the Federal Government should institute and implement policy that would encourage professionals to embrace teaching.

    According to him, there is need for additional incentives and better welfare package for doctors that offered to teach as such measures will provide more professionals in the field and as well increase the health outcomes.

    Read Also: Buhari off to London for medical

    “FG should put in place enabling policy, it is not easy to build doctors, who will offer to teach because teaching is not ordinarily attractive,’’ Adewole noted.

    Similarly, Prof. Tukur Umar, the president of the association, said the conference was aimed at joining forces to fight a common course for the benefit of the medical profession.

    According to him, the sole aim of the association is to build basic medical sciences in such a way that medical qualified doctors would be the one to take charge in teaching their colleagues.

    “The formation of this association is necessitated to assist in encouraging the young ones as well as the qualified doctors to come and take up teaching in the universities.

    “This will enable us have a common goals, welfare and enhance the frontiers of knowledge,’’ he said.

    NAN

     

  • N100m work tools for 1,000 constituents in Oyo

    N100m work tools for 1,000 constituents in Oyo

    Many residents of Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso areas of Oyo State will always be grateful to their representative at the National Assembly. They will continue to be thankful to him because Senator Fatai Buhari, who represents Oyo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, enhanced their economic life by giving out several empowerment items to some members of his constituency and supporters.

    The items, which included 32 cars and buses, 230 motorcycles, 14 electric transformers, power generating sets, sewing machines, grinding machines, scholarship awards and cash were estimated at a whopping N100 million.

    Buhari, who has a knack for generosity and grassroots politics, grinned continuously as he received Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the leading traditional rulers across the senatorial district at the permanent site of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Iseyin where the programme held.

    Just as the people were empowered with tools to boost their economic well-being, all the major palaces in the district also received cars for logistic purposess. The palaces were those of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Aseyin of Iseyin, Onpetu of Ijeru, Baggi of Saki, Olokakaa of Okakaa, Onjo of Oke ‘ho, Sabi Iganna of Iganna, Alago-Amodu, Onitede of Tede, Iba of Kisi, Onigbeti, Onigboho, and the Secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ogbomoso.

    Other beneficiaries included the League of Imams and Alfas in Oke-Ogun and its counterpart in Ogbomoso, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in both areas, Arewa Community in Oke-Ogun, Federation of Oyo State Students and the Ogbomoso branch of NASFAT.

    Addressing the gathering, Senator Buhari pledged that the entire All Progressives Congress (APC) would not disappoint Nigerians, even as he appreciated their patience, steadfastness and resilience in the last 32 months. He recalled that the current administration inherited serious economic, social and security challenges which were being gradually addressed.

    He said the items of empowerment were continuation of the first which he undertook in 2016 in Saki during which 1,125 people were beneficiaries of different tools and cash gifts.

    “Our commitment to quality representation and empowerment of people of Oyo North Senatorial District is the thrust of the mandate you gave me in the 2015 National Assembly election; and I want to reiterate our resolve to always strive to represent you like never before and put smiles on the faces of the people,” Buhari assured the constituents.

    He further explained that he could not make anyone wealthy but could only put smiles on their faces. The senator urged the beneficiaries to put the tools to good use.

    Governor Ajimobi commended Buhari for his contributions at the floor of the Senate as well as the quality empowerments he has been carrying out for his constituents. Judging from the quality and quantity of the tools in addition to his law-making acumen, Ajimobi declared Buhari as the best Senator the state has ever produced.

    He said the party did not regret handing over the Senatorial ticket to him in 2015 because he has performed beyond expectation.

    Earlier, the Chairman, APC in Oyo State, Chief Akin Oke, hailed Buhari for always connecting with his constituents, stressing that he was a good representative of the party.

    At the event were the Onitede of Tede, Oba Rafiu Adebimpe; Onigboho of Igboho, Oba John Oyekola; representative of Bagi of Saki, Chief Rasheed Kasali; Olokakaa of Okakaa, Oba Abdulazeez Ogelende as well as Muslim and Christian clerics.

  • Old students donate ultra-modern kitchen

    Old students donate ultra-modern kitchen

    The Class of 85, Federal Government College, Ogbomoso put a smile on the faces of pupils and members of staff of the school when it donated a multimillion naira modern kitchen to mark its 40th anniversary of leaving the school.

    The inauguration of the ultramodern kitchen was the climax of a week of activities organised by the Set. Class Captain, Chief Daniel Ubajaka, popular known as Mighty Igor, described the day as a remarkable one, never to be forgotten in the annals of the school.

    He said the project was achieved because of the commitment of members of the class, thanking them for their financial and moral support, as well as the Principal, staff and pupils for their co-operation.

    The Project Committee Chairman, Alhaji Adeyinka Raji, was full of gratitude for the successful completion of the project, which cost N5million to build in just eight weeks.

    He explained that the kitchen project was chosen because of its benefit to all members of the school community.

    “The kitchen will impact staff and students when decent meals are prepared in a clean and hygienic environment, thus avoiding the health risks associated with cooking food for multitudes,” he said.

    The global President, Federal Government College, Ogbomoso Old Students’ Association (FEGOCOOSA), Mrs, Yetunde Jaiyesimi, and the Principal of the school, Dr Hilda Onyekwere, thanked the Class “very immensely” for building the “magnificent kitchen complex”.

    The kitchen, which was a equipped with giant cooking pots and tripod stands, was dedicated by Pa. Jacob Ajagbe, a retired Chemistry teacher, while Pa. Pius Enahoro, a former Literature-in-English teacher and retired Vice-Principal, inaugurated the building.

    Present at the programme were Chairman, Board of Trustees, FEGOCOOSA, Elder Don Edozien, immediate past Global President,Francis Orbih, Chairman, 40th Anniversary Committee, Mr Deremi Atanda, among others.

  • LAUTECH: ASUU Suspends Strike

    LAUTECH: ASUU Suspends Strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the  Ladoke Akintola University of Technology has suspended its four-months-long strike after a meeting with its members at the university’s main campus in Ogbomoso on Tuesday.

    This will be the second time the academic staff union will be suspending its strike which has spanned, at least, two years.

    The Secretary of ASUU LAUTECH Dr. Abegunrin, and the union’s Zonal Coordinator Dr. Ade Adejumo, confirmed that the strike had been suspended  immediate effect but academic activities will kick off on Monday, October 23.

    “The zone will have to be briefed, national will have to be briefed, but the Congress have suspended the strike in principle as from today but full lectures will resume on Monday,” Dr. Adejumo said. “Skeletal things will continue, preparatory to the commencement of full academic activities on Monday.”

    Read : Lecturers, others begin warning strike in Otuoke varsity

     The suspension is coming following news that the lecturers started receiving their three-months’ salary arrears — one of their demands for resumption — during the weekend.

    Over the months, there had been numerous resumption dates which the lecturers ignored. First, the university management widely publicised September 15 and October 3 for reopening the university and resuming academic activities, respectively.

    Although the gates of the institution were reopened as scheduled, lectures did not commence as the academic staff union refuted the announcement saying none of their issues had been addressed and that “strike is still in full force.”

    With mounting pressure from the agitated students, LAUTECH’s Vice-Chancellor Prof. A.S. Gbadegesin, once again, promised Monday, October 16, as an alternative resumption date. That date also passed, to no avail.

    However, the students are confident that this new date by ASUU will stand. Oleghe Enike, a 300 level of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, reacting to the news said: “I believe we will definitely resume on Monday because, unlike the other dates announced by the school management, this one is coming directly from the body [ASUU] that actually embarked on the strike.”

    Read Also: LAUTECH to end strike in days, VC assures 

  • LAUTECH: Real progress being made to ensure resumption, says Registrar

    LAUTECH: Real progress being made to ensure resumption, says Registrar

    The Registrar of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology ( LAUTECH ), Ogbomoso, Mr. J. A. Agboola, assured that the school management and the academic staff union are working together to ensure the resumption of academic activities in the university as already scheduled.

    According to him, “real progress” is being made.

    “All the dates, by the grace of God, will stand,” he said, in reaction to a statement by the academic staff union vowing not to resume despite the management announcement that the university would reopen on Friday, September 15.

    The Nation had reported on Thursday that the academic staff union of LAUTECH is insisting on continuing their strike, even after meeting with the university management on Monday, September 18, until they receive the six months salary arrears promised them by the owner-state governments of Oyo and Osun.

    “Nothing has been offered to us,” Dr. Ade Adejumo, ASUU zonal coordinator, had said. “We are still where we were when we started the action.”

    However, in his interview with The Nation on Friday, Mr. Agboola maintained that the management and unions are making headway in restoring normalcy in the university.

    He also said that the management and the unions are working together, adding it is “all for the good of the system.”

    When asked about the progress being made with the N4 billion government funding Senate President Bukola Saraki promised in July, and N9 million already crowdfunded by the FundLAUTECH campaign launched in June by some alumni of the university, Mr. Agboola declined to comment, explaining that it was outside his purview.