His Royal Majesty, Oba Alayeluwa, Yisa Olusola Adeniyi Olaniyan Ariwigbade Oshingin II, the Onipokia of Ipokia Kingdom, has reiterated his unwavering commitment to drive massive development to his domain, and Ogun State in general.
Below is a press statement made available from his palace:
“It has become imperative for me to issue this press statement, in view of the anxiety and (or) wrong impression my recent visit to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND organized Public Hearing on the proposed bill on the proposed upgrades and conversion of the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro into a substantive Federal University of Science and Technology. I have attended the event in company of several other traditional rulers in Yewaland.
As a traditional ruler, It has become imperative and expedient for me in this press statement, to clear the air and erase any iota of doubts on the minds of the people, of my total commitment and support for the proposed State Polytechnic/University of Science and Technology, in Ipokia, upgrading and conversion of the newly established Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia to a substantive State University of Science and Technology.
For the records, my attendance at the hearing was occasioned by the special invitation from our highly revered Paramount Ruler and Olu of Ilaro, Oba Dr. Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, MFR. I had felt compelled, after due consultations with some of the elders of the community to honour His Royal Majesty’s invitation, not only because of the position he occupies as Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, but more importantly, Kaabiyesi, the Olu of Ilaro, is a Royal Majesty, I hold in a very high and distinguished esteem.
I had therefore seen the journey to Abuja as a diplomatic trip, armed with a prepared speech to be delivered at the event, articulating our request and to drum necessary support from our representatives in both the Senate and House of Representatives, on our request for the establishment of State University of Science and Technology in Ipokia.
The trip also afforded me the opportunity, seeking the support of Senator Solomon Olamilekan in our agitation. It is gratifying to say that this request was unequivocally granted by the distinguished Senator Yayi, who promised to all in his power, to ensure the realization of our objective.
We must remember and appreciate the fact that a lot of efforts, agitation and personal sacrifices have been made to pressure the State Government into granting our request.
The Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR had graciously acceded to this request, by instituting a visitation panel to consider, amongst other terms of reference, the viability of such conversion.
The panel had since completed its assignments and gave a very favourable report, in support of our demands to the State Government. I equally have it on good authority that the panel’s report is being studied by the government and that in due course, the State Government will implement the panel’s report.
It must also be noted that, based on available records, the quest and agitation for the upgrading and conversion of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro into a Federal University of Science and Technology, actually commenced in 2016.
The agitation had actually begun during the 8th National Assembly, with a bill sponsored by distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, representing Lagos West at the Senate since 2015, seeking an act of parliament for the conversion.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola had since then relentlessly continued to sponsor and mobilize the support of his colleagues, for the bill which has now reached the second reading on the floor of the Senate. The Senate Public Hearing on the proposed bill organized by the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, was a precondition for the eventual passage of the bill, into law.
For clarity, it must be stated here that the granting of our prayers for the creation of State University of Science and Technology in Ipokia falls under the purview of the Ogun State Government, which has the sole authority of granting our demands while the request for conversion of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, to Federal University of Science and Technology is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.
This distinction has become quite imperative and must be made for the purpose of clarity and to avoid any kinds of misconception and (or) misinformation that is capable of causing unnecessary tension or anxiety amongst our people.
Regrettably, it is Ogun West, amongst the three Senatorial Districts in the state that does not have a substantive Federal or State University.
As a traditional ruler of wider global exposure, I am more determined, to always articulately support and drive developmental agenda, that will promote rapid socio-economic development of my people. This is well espoused and expressly stated in my vision and mission statement as the newly coronated Onipokia of Ipokia.
It is my considered opinion, therefore, that Ogun West and indeed Yewaland deserves as many public tertiary institutions as possible, considering the number of years of undeserved neglect and marginalization our zone has suffered in the state.
If it is the wish of God Almighty and that of our ancestors that Yewaland is blessed with both state and federal universities simultaneously, then, we all should rally round, to support such great initiatives and celebrate our collective achievements.
We should therefore refrain from divisive actions, or tendencies, that may portray us to the outside world, as a people not deeply concerned about, or interested in the progress and development of our zone.”
