National Universities Commission, NUC, has issued a letter of recognition for the take-off of the newly approved university of Ilesa in Osun State.
The Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed presented the operational license to the Executive Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola in Abuja on Thursday.
Appreciating the NUC boss for the recognition, the governor revealed that the new university would focus on Agriculture and Agri-business in order to address food insecurity, mining, technology, building on the abundant gold deposit in Ijesaland and medical Sciences to enhance the human resources need in the health sector.
“We are very deliberate in our approach as we seek to contribute to the diversification of our economy and wean it away from over reliance on oil.
“In anticipation of the the license issuance, we have identified credible candidates for the Governing Council and Principal Officers ready to be appointed and hit the ground running, said Oyetola.
The Osun State governor who recently assented to the law seeking for upgrade of one of the oldest Colleges of Education in the state to a full-fledged university, said the decision of the government to upgrade the college was not a product of fanciful effort but a thorough and rigorous interrogation, characteristic of the culture of deep engagement that his administration is noted for. He said the proposed university has been carefully conceived as a thoroughly entrepreneurial and innovative I situation that would be funded through a mix of sources, such as the government, community, industry, and other shareholders without exerting u necessary pressure on the finances of the State.
While receiving the copies of the University Establishment Law from the governor after his assent, the Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye said the signing of the Bill into law was a new dawn in the entire Ijesaland land in particular and the State in general.
“This is a huge development for Ijesaland people and Osun State. This is what we have been clamouring for , for over 40 years now. As a matter of fact, the College which was established in 1979 is more than 40 years now, and thinking to upgrade it to a full-fledged university is a welcome development. We commend and appreciate Mr. Governor for his magnanimity and generosity to Ijesaland people.
“I want to assure you that the establishment of this university will attract a lot of developments and improve on the socioeconomic activities of Ijesaland land, and by extension, it is going to turn Ijesa into a tourist centre as Ijesas home and abroad will come to support the government. I can assure you that the government will not regret upgrading the College to a University,” he said.
