The Commissioner of the Federal Character Commission in Oyo State, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela has revealed that former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbeshola frustrated the moves by former governor Abiola Ajimobi to ensure Oyo State takes over the full ownership of the institution .
Olowofela, who was the Commissioner for Education Science and Technology during Ajimobi’s tenure, revealed this in a statement he personally signed on Sunday.
While congratulating governor Seyi Makinde and governor Gboyega Oyetola for the successful dissolution of the institution’s joint ownership , he decried the insinuation in some quarters that Ajimobi was LAUTECH’s problem.
His statement read: “First and foremost, I congratulate Governors Makinde and Oyetola on seeding LAUTECH to Oyo-State, the struggle earlier started by Governors Akala and Oyinlola
“It is on record that LAUTECH was established in the year 1990 and Osun State was created in 1991. However due to infancy of the institution by 1991 the two states Oyo-State and Osun State agreed to continue joint ownership of the institution.
“Don’t forget that Ajimobi became Governor of Oyo-State first , in 2011. ( The ‘LAUTECH marriage” which has been sustained for 20 years) How can late Ajimobi be the problem! of marriage of twenty years!
“When Governors Akala and Oyinlola started the struggle, NUC joined in asset sharing before the completion of the dissolution. Governor Aregbesola came on board in Osun State and he was not going to let go LAUTECH joint investment of Oyo-State and Osun-State, in 2010. So stalemet, was created the dissolution cannot be done!
“When Ajimobi became Governor in 2011 he met the stalemate and both Government decided to continue the joint ownership of the institution as established since 1991.
“At the initial period of 2011-2013 Funding of the institution were being done religiously by the two states. Until 2014 when funding crisis started (the details which are well known with the institution and the Ministries of Education Oyo-State and Osun State).
“The seeding to Oyo-State would have been impossible if Governor Oyetola did not aceed.
“May God forgive those who are always eager to blame Ajimobi for offence not committed!”
