Following the conversion of the State College of Education, Ilesa to a full-fledged university, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on Wednesday inaugurated the committee to implement the upgrade.
The upgrade of the college to university status which to be named University of Ilesa, was recently approved by Oyetola in response to the yearnings of the people of Ijesha land.
Oyetola, during the inauguration at the Governor’s office Abere, on the idea of changing the status to University, is to expand access of qualitative education, among other opportunities, for the young generation in Osun State, and his agenda is to develop requisite human capital, to focused on sustained investment in the education sector.
Oyetola said “the decision to upgrade the College of Education, Ilesa is not a product of mere fanciful effort, but is a product of thorough and rigorous interrogation, characteristic of the culture of deep engagement for which this administration noted.
“Among others. We also took into copious consideration, the College of Education, its existing infrastructural and human resource assets as the State’s oldest College of Education.
“University of Ilesa is an entrepreneurial and innovative university and it would be funded through a mix of sources such as the government, community, industry, and other stakeholders without exerting unnecessary pressure on the finances of the State” He added.
“I wish to emphasise that equally important to us is a demonstration of the self-sustainability of the University and the continued support of all critical stakeholders, considering the current and future economic outlook of the State.
What this means from the word ‘go’, is that this is a university that is undoubtedly going to be unique because it is being carefully nurtured to be inoculated from the perennial challenges that plague an average public university in the country, but benchmarked against the best global practices.
“Considering the above and to support our Administration’s prompt implementation of the upgrade, we engaged the global advisory firm, KPMG, to offer advisory services on the smooth take-off of the proposed University, to produce a Sustainability Plan and Governance Charter.
“I am happy to note that we have received the initial report of the firm and we shall make it available for the consideration of the Implementation Committee.
Oyetola said he believes that their clamour and yearning of the people of Ijesaland and their commitments is to support the State Government in achieving its Development Agenda in education.
He appreciated the Osun State House of Assembly, under the leadership of the Speaker, Timothy Owoeye, for the sterling contribution which resulted in the prompt passage of the University of Ilesa Bill” he concluded.
Oyetola during a function in Ilesa earlier this year announced the upgrade of the institution to University, stating that his government has engaged consultants to look at innovative ways of funding the school.
The newly-inaugurated Committee chaired by a renowned educationist, Prof. Oluremi Aina, has former Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Prof. Labo Popoola; a former Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University, Prof. Yemisi Obilade; a former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Lead City University, Prof. Jide Owoeye; Pioneer Vice-Chancellor Osun State University, Prof. Sola Akinrinade; Professor of English Language and Applied Linguistics, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun, and Mr. Rasheed Sarumi.
Speaking on behalf of the newly-inaugurated Implementation Committee, the Committee’s Chairman, Prof. Olu Aina, promised not to only meet the target but also beat the expectations.
According to him, the members of the Committee have given their consent to serve with utmost diligence and commitment to ensure the quick actualisation of the upgrade of the College to a full-flegded University.
