The law aiming to transform the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa into a full-fledged university received the assent of the Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday.
Following the Osun State House of Assembly’s successful passing of the Executive Bill into Law in August, the Governor gave his approval.
Oyetola said in a statement shortly after signing the law that the government’s decision to upgrade the College to a university was “not a product of fanciful effort,” but rather the result of a “thorough and rigorous interrogation, characteristic of the culture of deep engagement” for which his administration is renowned.
He claims that the new university has been thoughtfully designed as an entirely entrepreneurial and inventive institution that would be funded by a variety of sources, including the government, community, business, and other stakeholders, without placing undue strain on the State’s budget.
When receiving copies of the University Establishment Law from the Governor after his approval, Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly Timothy Owoeye said, “The signing of this Bill into law marks a new dawn in the entire Ijesa land in particular and the State in general.
“This is a huge development for Ijesa people and Osun State. This is what we have been clamouring for, for over 40 years. As a matter of fact, the College which was established in 1979 is more than 40 years old 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 Ijesa 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 Ijesa 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 added.
Recall that a bill to rename the College of Education in Ilesa as the University of Ilesa was sent by the State government to the Osun State House of Assembly.
However, the Osun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) raised objection to the idea, calling it a ruse by the Governor Adegboyega Oyetola-led Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to use the conversion as a way to buy voters’ support.
