Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has approved N1.2 billion as capital grant to the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa.
Aiyedatiwa gave the approval at the second joint convocation of the university in Okitipupa on Monday.
The governor, who is the Visitor to the institution, said this was part of his administration’s efforts at priotising and taking qualitative education to a higher pedestal in the state.
He also promised to give the N91 million monthly subvention to the institution due consideration.
Aiyedatiwa equally pledged to facilitate the completion of all abandoned projects being funded by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) at the institution.
The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that out of the 1,341 graduands at the joint convocation of 2020/2021 and 2022/2023 sessions, 62 bagged First Class honours, 546 Second Class Upper and 650 Second Class Lower, while 82 were in the Third Class category.
Aiyedatiwa, while congratulating the graduands, their parents and guardians, said that the skills and knowledge impacted in the students would help them to become great achievers in future, thus putting the name of the institution and the state on the world map.
He commended the founding fathers of the university for their vision as well as the Governing Council and management for their foresight, commitment and innovations aimed at improving the institution’s visibility.
“I have no doubt that the School of Maritime Transport and Logistics at Ugbonla, which is at 60 per cent completion by OSOPADEC, is very timely and will be of immense advantage to the Ondo State Deep Seaport Project and development of blue economy in the state and Nigeria at large.
“Let it be on record that, as part of our commitment to the development of tertiary education, our administration will endeavour to release the capital grant of N1.2 billion in the 2024 budget to OAUSTECH.
“The institution’s monthly subvention of N91 million will also be given due consideration and I will equally ensure that we facilitate completion of the abandoned hostel buildings by NDDC and OSOPADEC without further delay,” he said.
The governor urged the graduating students to look to their laurels and boldly take their place in life, rising above all barriers as worthy ambassadors of the university.
He expressed appreciation to the late former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for his untiring efforts geared toward developing the institution, promising to build on his legacies.
Earlier, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, congratulated the graduands for their dedication and hard work, and for making the university proud.
Ologunorisa urged them to put to use the knowledge and skills acquired to good use so as to be good ambassadors of the institution and the state.
He also appreciated the governor for his support to the university and for the opportunity given him to continue to serve as the fourth substantive vice-chancellor of the institution.
The vice-chancellor commended the institution’s governing council, led by Prof. Akimbo Adesomoju as well as the unions, the staff members and students for their support and cooperation which had helped in his modest achievement in the last two years.
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He commiserated with the family of the late Akereolu, saying that the former governor picked him on merit to be the institution’s helmsman without even knowing him.
“To our graduands, I say go to the world and conquer the world. You have the skills, competencies and all that is required to change the world positively.
“The university holds you in high esteem. As you break the grounds, stay connected and never forget to contribute to your alma mater,” he said.
NAN reports that the highlight of the event was the announcement of automatic employment to the best graduating student, Miss Jane Adedayo by the state government. (NAN)
