By Muftau Gbadegesin, Stephen Oladeji and Oladipupo Maxwell.
Politicians rarely keep promise, but when they do, as the case of Ladoke Akintola Unversity of Technology sole ownership by Oyo state Government after decades of protracted inter states wrangling, such Politicians, no doubt, will quickly win the love and admiration of loyalists and critics alike. That was why the news of LAUTECH amicable, peaceful and productive resolution between Oyo and Osun states during coronavirus pandemic came as soothing as the invention of COVID’19 vaccine! The Governor no doubt, has etched his name in gold and will be remembered for his display of political artistry and leadership creativity.
This sole ownership, along its multi-campus proposal have both been greeted with mixed reactions. The reactions though well established however is not the concern of this write up. While the debate on LAUTECH multi-campus proposal rages on, these writers want to appeal to the Governor to put round peg in the round hole especially as the sites of various campuses of the institution will begin in earnest. For the Faculty of Agriculture, Igboho remains a place to beat.
Historically, Igboho, the old Oyo empire is a town of many firsts. Being the first and only town across Oke Ogun to produce the deputy Governors for the last ten years coupled with other eminent personalities who continue to raise the bar of pace setting across various places, the country and beyond. The town, no doubt is blessed with natural and human resources that will be influential and instrumental to the achievement of the proposed Faculty.
The ancient town, with its traditional and cultural significance is best poised for this project. This agrarian town, an epicenter of farmers and traders from all parts of the country and neighboring countries is the perfect fit for this essential ivory tower faculty. This community by all standard is known for her readiness to assist government in any developmental projects.
Attesting to this fact is the recognition of Igboho with a shield and certificate of excellence for being the best community in self-help project presented by the then military government headed by Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at the Tafawa Balewa square, Lagos in 1987. Also, in 1988, at a dinner in government house in Ibadan, the community was honored by the then military governor, Colonel Sasaeniyan Oresanya for being the best community in self-help projects.
In addition, the community is home to seasoned Politicians, University Eggheads, Captain of Industries, Business Moguls, and of course, history of no kind: the only existing Old Oyo Empire, centuries old town.
Above all, the community is a haven of hospitality, as demonstrated by the town’s panegyrics which in part states: ‘Igboho Moore, Omo Alagbado ode'(Igboho the hospitable place of friends, the homestead of corn planters).
Finally, W.H Clarke, an American Baptist Missionary who visited Igboho in 1855 attested to the vastness of the town , “Forty years ago” the American declared “Igboho was one of the first cities in the flourishing kingdom of Yoruba land, could boast of its thousand inhabitants its vast extent; its flourishing agriculture and commerce, and its three walls successively built to accommodate the enlarging population”. With these and many more, we hope your Excellency will toil same path as your predecessor, Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala who had verbally made the pledge.
