Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has called for caution over the degenerating crisis at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) jointly owned by Osun and Oyo States.
Kunle Famoriyo, the group's publicity secretary said in a statement that ARG was particularly worried by the reported violent attack on some officials of the University by some unknown persons.
The statement read in part, "We believe that such barbaric and insensate act has no root in our society and should not be allowed. We therefore call for calm and understanding among all the stakeholders of the university.
"The significant financial challenges facing LAUTECH does not and must not translate to enmity between the indigenes of Oyo and Osun States as this is against the spirit of peace and unity that many of our leaders are labouring to promote."
"ARG calls on the governors of the two states, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to quickly come to a round-table on this matter and resolve all agitations in the overall interest of the larger community that the university serves.
"They both must quickly bring to bear their leadership acumen to contain this festering sore that may become gangrenous if not awarded the adequate and deserving attention required."
"ARG subsequently called on the traditional leadership of Ogbomoso kingdom, the revered stool of His Royal Majesty, Oba Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi CON, Soun Ajagungbade III, to also assist in nipping this crisis in the bud."
Meanwhile, the National Executives of LAUTECH Alumni Association under the leadership of President Babajide Bewaji has condemned the attack on the staffs of Osun state extraction especially the assassination attempt on the life of the Bursar of the university, Prince ABC Olagunju by some hoodlums and enraged youths in his office.
In a statement issued signed by the President and the Public Relations Officer, Owoyokun Samson, described the attack as unnecessary, uncivilised and counterproductive.
The Alumni reaffirmed that "in the face of law, our Alma mata is a venture of both Oyo and Osun states, the supreme Court consented judgement of March 22, 2012 pronounced that under section of provision 2 and 7 of the Lautech law, no Government can unilaterally own the University without mutual engagement/agreement between the two parties.
"The indigenes of Oyo and Osun states working in LAUTECH have been cohabiting harmoniously for close to three decades and this unparallel love still exist till date but for the unfortunate remarks by political gladiators championing selfish ambition and undue interference have continually fuel the already-soaked tension arising from the trade dispute among the industrial unions, management and visitors of the university, hereby repelling all peaceful moves initiated by our association.
"We reiterate our stand once again and appeal to the Ogbomoso Parapo worldwide, a sociocultural organization within Ogbomoso to forthwith stop the attempt to sow the seed of discord ravaging the university but rather work with all the stakeholders on how to resolve the present imbroglio of underfunding and retarded growth while joining hands to move Lautech forward.
"We sympathize with the host community of Ogbomosoland and her environs for the effect this strike action is already having on the economy of Ogbomoso as Lautech is a critical economic catalyst with over 50,000 in staff and population."
Let us all eschew bitterness and unhealthy rivalry as partners in progress, we use this medium to call for a roundtable discussion under one roof amongst all major stakeholders of the LAUTECH project which should consist of the Oyo and Osun state governments, and their houses of assembly, the alumni association, representatives of all existing unions, traditional institutions and the university management, this call is urgent, imperative and timely. Lautech project is a collective responsibility we must all build, there is strength in synergy towards progressive development. We equally task security agencies to protect the lives and properties of all and sundry, and bring perpetrators of this evil disorders to justice.
We are confident that the present crisis is a phase that will soon pass away, and also caution politicians from making uncomplementary and infuriating statements targeted at creating disunity, strife and disharmony threatening the peaceful foundation of the highly rated citadel of learning that has graduated close to 100, 000 graduates flying and soaring high in their different endeavours all over the globe. We appeal for the understanding and mutual cooperation of parents, guardians and students to remain calm in the face of the revolving situation as our logistical involvement will sooner than we all think restore normal academic activities to the Ogbomoso campus.
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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