ODSG renames OSUSTECH after Agagu
By Bisi Olominu, Evelyn Omotoye & Chris Chimezie
|
An eerie sensation swept through the Olusegun Agagu clan yesterday as the Ondo State government renamed the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OSUSTECH) after the late governor.
His son, Feyi obviously elated by the honour said the Agagu family “is humbled by the gesture from the government and people of Ondo State.
Feyi who spoke with The Hope on phone last night said the honour came as surprise and expressed profound appreciation done to the his late father.
He said his father would be greatly honoured in his grave because the university which he established and being renamed after him has become an excellent institution for training quality graduates in courses dearest to him.
He expressed hope that OSUSTECH will continue to showcase outstanding academic breakthroughs in core engineering courses like Marine Engineering, Port Management which shaped his father’s desire to establish the university.
He thanked Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for the great honour and called on the people to rally round to make the state the leader in the country.
In a related euphoria, Professor Akinsola Agagu, the late governor’s half brother said the gesture was timely and in the right direction.
Agagu, a political scientist said his brother made his mark and deserved to be honoured for establishing the university and funding the existing ones in the state. He also supported and financed education of all levels, so I think it is a well deserved honour.
“But beyond that, he also made a laudable infrastructural achievement. It was part of his vision to actually re-invent skill acquisition in the state that was why he established University of Science and Technology in the state so as to produce skillful and well skilled graduates in the area of technology.
“This will also encourage people to do their best in whatever position they are and leave good legacies behind.
The family of late Agagu will surely appreciate this, for an illustrious son who had put in his best and for the incumbent governor to recognize and appreciate this, the family will remain grateful to him”.
The late ex-governor Chief of Staff who is the current Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, in the state, Mr Femi Agagu said the gesture was quite thoughtful of Governor Akeredolu to bestow the honour on one of his predecessors.
He said on behalf of the family and the teeming admirers of the good works of Dr Olusegun Agagu, thanked Governor Akeredolu for the gesture.
Reacting, a former Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Victor Olabimtan described the decision as the best, noting that the former Governor deserves it.
He described Dr Olusegun Agagu as a legend. Also, in her reaction, the Chairman of State Universal Basic Education, Princess Oladunni Odu said the entire Ikales welcome the decisions She described the seven years reign of Agagu as Governor as satisfactory because she said it brought honour to the state.
She said the Ikales will stand by Akeredolu for honoring their late illustrious son.
Also reacting, Senator Boluwaji Kunlere described Agagu as an illustrious son of Ondo State who deserve the honour.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had announced the renaming during his thank-you-visit to Okitipupa local government area of the state yesterday.
He explained that the issue would be tabled before the State House of Assembly when the two newly-elected members representing Okitipupa 1 and 2 constituencies, Akineogunde Akinfomide and Akinwumi Emmanuel would move the motion for the renaming of the University.
According to the governor, it is a decision that can only be taken by the House of Assembly and they would move the motion as their first assignment.
“You know we have Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba and it won’t be bad to have Olusegun Agagu University in Okitipupa.
“When we came on board, we noticed that the university lacked infrastructural facilities, a good road network and other areas which we looked into and fixed them.
“The project would have been added to the museum of abandoned projects, hence the need for the major upgrades by this administration”, he said.
Akeredolu who thanked the people for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during the last elections, lauded them and sought for their continued support for the party.
