The new pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, says there is high possibility that the university will reopen for normal activities “in a matter of days.”
Afolabi said this at a press conference he addressed in Osogbo on Monday alongside other new members of the council of the university. He said the new council was closer to finding a lasting solution to the problems rocking the institution.
The vice chancellor of the university, Professor Adeniyi Gbadegesin, and other principal officers of the university as well as members of the governing council, including Professor Lai Olurode, were present at the press conference.
The new chairman, who is a former Head of Service of the Federation and a Professor of Chemistry, said he was optimistic of early resolution of the crisis, while stressing that he and other members of the council had expressed their determination to restore the lost glory of LAUTECH.
He admitted that the new council was inaugurated at the most trying time, but that they had accepted the challenges and were ready to ensure that all the issues causing perennial crisis at the institution, including sustainable funding, would be addressed.
He said the council would interact with the unions, the Students’ Union and other stakeholders, including the two governors, former vice chancellors, the Soun of Ogbomoso, former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, among others, to ensure that the crisis was permanently resolved.
Afolabi said, “We had our inaugural meeting at the main campus in Ogbomoso on August 9, 2017 and charted for ourselves a 90-day action plan which has started in earnest. For instance, consultations have been held with the various unions, parents’ forum and traditional rulers.
“We have also engaged the auditing firm of KPMG, and as I address you here, I make bold to inform you that we are expecting an interim report from the firm in a matter of days.
“It is this report we will be presenting to the visitors to the university. We have high hope that submission of this relief would go a long way to arrive at a lasting solution to the problems of LAUTECH.
“We are optimistic of early resolution of the crisis rocking this institution. The interim audit report is being expected in a matter of days. Government is committed to bringing back a formidable LAUTECH, and council and management of the university are more determined to ensuring an enduring legacy.
“We hope that this will enable an early resumption of lives and activities at LAUTECH in a matter of days and not months. In about 15 or 20 days, we should be able to call you back and give you the resumption date.”