Politics of renaming OSUSTECH
By Feso Ladipupo
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Truly, no one can be wiser than the dictate of nature, probably the reason for which greater number of people could not appropriate their thoughts to differentiate between values earned through Midas touch and mere opportunity. Now it is not only a thing of joy, getting to know that Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Akeredolu, SAN, has announced that Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa would be named after the founder and the former Governor of the state, late Dr Olusegun Agagu, but certainly, a necessity given a required attention and such long overdue.
Although much appreciated and seen as a mission accomplished. One would recall that Ikale Home Organization(IHO) to which I’m the Secretary and the latter, President, felt much concerned about what would be the stake of Ikale locality in the new administration, more so it was to us a consciousness that Ikale contributed largely to the emergence of the administration.
Hence, our involvement in critical thinking, sleeplessly thinking about our natural core values and heritages that needed to be given serious attention. Of course, a necessity denied an attention is a welcome of a fall-apart. In our frantic efforts, we first identified who we were and still are, as a people(Ikale), our strength and weaknesses, before identifying heritages and issues such as: Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Okitipupa Cassava Processing Company, Ikoya Road; Okitipupa Oil Palm PLC, Okitipupa; Okitipupa/Ayeka-Irele Road; Dualization of Okitipupa township roads; the initiated Power Stepdown at Ode-Erinje; Revamping Water Corporation, Okitipupa; The Fire Service, Idepe-Okitipupa etc. Having done this sincerely, we asked each other these questions. What was the philosophy of our fathers in those days? What were the variables considered for the establishment of these moribund organizations or institutions in the first place? What were the factors that led to the remote and immediate causes of their fall? Why did Ikale suffer almost a total neglect in the administration of Dr Olusegun Mimiko? How much of consideration is Governor Akeredolu giving to Ikale? How many of the few ones given political appointments are ideological and can be said to be true leaders? These were our questions. Soon, as much as we appreciated Governor Akeredolu for his magnanimity, appointing some of our sons and daughters into key positions, we were slightly skeptical, as to whether these people would be able to represent us well, considering the basics aforementioned. Disappointing however, it occurred to us in our process of cogitation that, Ikale has been made second class citizen, subjected to neglect, in the administration of Mimiko especially, just because it has not allowed for the place of a leader! Hence, the use of divide and rule against us.
So, there has not been a unifying factor, something that could have brought us together. Our traditional rulers were not helping matters, as to fester like sore, our yearnings for relevance. As a result, we considered it pivotal to decide on the way forward. So, we put down dimensional concepts of developmental practice, on which we could justify our choice of “Common Front.” We considered fields of politics, education, business, traditional(obaship), legal practice and sports. We asked, who among our sons and daughters has greater and bestselling profile in all these areas mentioned. Obviously, it became understandable that it was only late Dr Olusegun Agagu that scaled the hurdles. Hence, we resolved to pick him.
In the area of education, he was a renowned principal lecturer in one of the African most famous universities, University of Ibadan, with evidence proving that he was a consultant to many African and Western universities in the area of Geology, especially, even while he was still in government and afterwards. In the area of politics, he was a former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, a former Minister for Power and Steel, a former Minister of Aviation and a former Governor. As Minister for Power and Steel then, he came up with the initiative of all the power stations we all enjoy across the country today. To his people, he brought Omotosho Power Station, Okitipupa Local Government Area.
As governor, he touched the whole state and to us in Ikale, he brought the university in question, Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, though tactically located to consider other neighbouring localities. We thought of the great road networks he gave to Ikale, Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Governments. Wow! Yes, he may have suffered some weaknesses as said by some elements, but to us at the critical moments of our brainstorming, Dr Olusegun Kokumo Agagu was an icon, a leader history would not have forgiven us, should we fail to recognise his strength, unbiasedness and leadership, even for immortalization. Why do you people think People’s Democratic Party(PDP) as a political party in this side of the state is hardly defeated, even when most giants who were in the party with late Olusegun Agagu then are now in other parties? It is just a simple fact that Olusegun Agagu had made government accessible to them.
Consequently, we wrote series of letters to the governor, Arakunrin ‘Rotimi Akeredolu for overhaul rescue of Ikale land. First, for the review of Okitipupa Cassava Processing Company, Ikoya Road, when we had that Mimiko’s administration had almost sold it out and the governor receiving our letter, invited us for intimation meeting on the company. Also, we wrote to him that Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa should be named after late Dr Olusegun Agagu, giving him the reasons he must do that. Doing this, copied virtually all the Obas in Ikale land, the Members, State House of Assembly from the whole South Senatorial District, in case the governor invites them and some critical stakeholders, writing through the Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Pastor Femi Agagu and the Deputy Governor, Barr Alfred Agboola Ajayi. The letter got to the tables of commissioner and the Deputy Governor, but later directed us to write straight to the Governor. Well, uneasy they say lies the head that wears a crown. If one’s bushy head is not devoid of louse, the fingernails never run dry of blood. After all, we were bent down to achieve our aims. We did as instructed and the letter got to the governor. The governor again replied us, even doing better through postage, more so we invited him as the Chief Host to the maiden edition of Annual Anniversary Celebration of late Dr Olusegun Agagu in Okitipupa. However, we were still not comfortable with the pace of action at actualizing this. We continued pressing, pressuring the governor, the commissioner and others.
Eventually, I became mesmerized, appeased and self confident, when at the group of “Thank you Visit” to the people of Okitipupa Local Government, the very programme I was privileged to moderate, the governor announced that Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa would be renamed after late Dr Olusegun Agagu. Kudos to governor Akeredolu. At the moment, some people started coming to me, appreciating our efforts, commenting, “Comrade, you people have tried.
” That may not be much concern to me. Perhaps, I need to appreciate them too, because they knew how some elements were making jest or mockery of us, when running up and down to do what we felt was right. I have read far and wide about history, philosophy, language, governance, leadership, even law and general administration and I have fetched some understanding that it is from some enthusiasm, greater historical events are sourced. Annals of my mind! No thought, no action, no action, no event, no event, no story. We can begin to do better, doing what is worth writing about or to write what is worth reading about. In actual sense, we may not get it right as a people, should we fail to shun all sort of acrimonies and unprogressive attitudes. I have more to say. I am loaded, but certainly, this is not best platform to divulge. Passionately, I and some people, particularly Comrade Kolawole Faruwa still feel concerned about total emancipation of Ikale race.
Comrade Ladipupo, Director/CEO, Justice and Reform Initiatives(JRI) and Secretary, Ikale Home Organization(IHO).
