By Ayodele Oni, Akure
For the second time within a week, Ondo state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has described his predecessor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, as a failure, going by the number of abandoned projects his administration inherited.
This is contrary to the stand of the Akeredolu’s government not to look into the deeds of the Mimiko government due to the over three decades of relationship between them.
Now, the gloves are off.
At the commissioning of projects on Thursday at the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, (AOUTECH), Okitipupa, Governor Akeredolu lamented the array of abandoned projects by the immediate past Olusegun Mimiko administration.
He said some of the abandoned projects were initiated by the late Olusegun Agagu’s government, but were left to rot for the eight years of Mimiko administration.
According to him, the manner of abandoning projects due to political differences is a disgrace to governance and, disservice to the people.
The Governor said his administration believes in the axiom that government is a continuum, and this has made him to complete projects inherited from the same administration who neglected Agagu’s projects for eight years.
Projects commissioned include the library, auditorium and the administrative building, all of which were initiated by the late Governor Olusegun Agagu.
Akeredolu saluted the vision of the former Governor Agagu for his sincerity of purpose and commitment, which he said made the establishment of the University a reality.
The Governor noted that at the inception of his administration, he was alarmed with the deplorable condition of things in the University in terms of infrastructure, workers’ welfare and other essential facilities needed for conducive learning environment.
According to him, the unfortunate and deplorable situation in the university strengthened his administration’s resolve to change the narrative, by immediately commencing a gradual, radical and systematic implementation of the state government’s strategic plan as it relates to the university.
The Governor disclosed that, aside the commencement and completion of a new electrification project, his administration was able to facilitate the donation of science equipment worth millions of Naira from Seeding Lab., USA, in order to encourage meaningful learning and research in the institution.
“It is gratifying to note that all programmes due for National Universities Commission’s accreditation have been accredited. This has been accomplished as a result of the commitment of our administration to the development of the University.
“In line with the desire of our administration to transforming OAUSTECH to a world class University, it has been enlisted as a beneficiary of TETFund for the first time since inception.
“The University is at present having some interventions in this regard, which will raise the status of the institution. OAUSTECH has also been selected to be a major beneficiary of the normal TETFund intervention for year 2020.”
In his address, the Vice -Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sunday Roberts Ogunduyile decribed Governor Akeredolu as the architect of the modern day OAUTECH and a pace setter per excellence.
The Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the university now chairman governing council, Prof. Akin Adesomoju said he resigned voluntarily his appointment in December, 2009, when former Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s administration stopped funding the institution.
The University don, who narrated how the institution was established said between 2009 and 2017, the University unexpectedly passed through numerous challenges which threatened its existence particularly in the area of funding.
He said he is extremely delighted that the narrative of the university has changed from being a “sinking citadel” to an “emerging citadel” that can be proud of, adding that this was made possible by the outstanding leadership of Governor Akeredolu.
“Within the first 100 days in office, Akeredolu’s government laid asphalt on the main dual carriage road in the university that had been abandoned for over eight years.
“The present governent in December, 2008 approved the release of special capital grant of N500 million less 12 percent mandatory tax to the university.
“The grant was prudently utilised to complete the university auditorium, main administrative building and the library which the original contractor had insisted would cost about N800 million to complete”
