OSCOTECH ESA-OKE: GOVERNING COUNCIL BOSS CLEARS THE AIR, SAYS THERE IS NEED TO SET THE RECORDS STRAIGHT.
OSCOTECH ESA-OKE: SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT.
Published by African Horizon News Magazine by our Correspondent, Oluwatoyin Adelabu, Osogbo.
The Chairman of the Governing Council of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Prince Diran Odeyemi has reacted to the growing tension in Obokun and Esa-Oke communities over the inappropriate media propaganda purportedly advanced to smear the image of the authorities of the school and the Osun State government.
In a well scripted and itemized news piece Prince Odeyemi explained the need to set the records straight and debunk the falsehood which is said was orchestrated by enemies of progress and those who want to throw spanner between the people of the two communities and the good government that is in place in Osun State.
In his words, Prince Diran Odeyemi said
"When lies and fabrications are painted in negative political colours, it is imperative to detonate the balloon of propaganda with the pin of truth.
Facts.
1. There was never a meeting or discussion about relocating any department or faculty from the main campus of Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke, to any town whatsoever. It was fabricated to incite the Esa Oke youth and sensitise them towards causing chaos. These categories of politicians have a record with history.
2. The Governing Council observed through the Rector's official report at the meeting the drastic reduction in students' population from 12, 637 to an average of 9,000 in the past two academic sessions. This is as a result of the Federal Government's Supervisory Agency of polytechnics in Nigeria, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) NBTE's outright ban on study centres in all Federal institutions, therefore ending Weekend Part-Time programmes in study centres within and outside Osun State, while the National Open University is also considered as a threat to Polytechnics in the country.
3. For clarity purposes, The Council, consists of professors who are representatives of the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and Osun State University. It also has as members, the representatives of The Alumni Association, Osun State Ministries of Education, Finance and Parastatals, 9 politicians appointed by the Governor, NBTE representatives, and OSCOTECH Management. It is, therefore, impossible for me to make a unilateral decision without diligent consideration and deliberations by the Board members.
4. As of June 2023, when we came on board, we had existed in the school 24 programmes. With the support of the Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, we were able to add 4 new programmes in 2023 to make 28 departments. For 2024, we hope to add 6 new departments to the now existing 28 departments to have 34. This, among many others, we have achieved and hope to achieve for the institution.
5. The Council at its meeting took a holistic view of all issues and resolved, among others, in its 2024 actionable innovation and developmental plans towards solving the multidimensional problems of the college, with emphasis on how to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the College and expand its educational reach, to set up a satellite campus with I new Course.
6. We studied the processes in juxtaposition with accrued benefits being enjoyed by other Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics that have satellite campuses including a series of anticipated assistance from the host community, wealthy individuals, and the Federal Government and concluded that it is worth establishing a satellite campus.
7. The Council therefore resolved to seek the approval of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for 6 more courses, including the Mass Communication program which was suggested should be located within the Local Government, and Ibokun was proposed.
8. The new Mass Communication programme being proposed against the next academic session will require the setting up of necessary facilities for teaching and practicals that will eventually facilitate or enhance easy approval by NBTE who by operational method will come to inspect the college preparations for the proposed courses.
9. In Ibokun, the headquarters of Obokun Local Government, there exists a Broadcasting Station “New Dawn Radio and Television” owned by the Osun State Government that can be used for the training of students, after accreditation has been secured. This was considered to be of great advantage and opportunity for students, whereas, the Management of the OSBC had earlier proposed to make the station a Center of Journalism and Media Studies, they did not have the required man power and other resources to carry out the programme, which OSCOTECH could easily do without much ado, perhaps with the assistance of the Federal Government.
10. At this juncture and for clarification purposes, I declare that (step-by-step) otherwise called Due Process according to the Edict that Established OSCOTECH was followed.
11. It is important to state that if and when we can secure approval for the 6 new courses, only the Mass Communication which is yet not an established course in OSCOTECH is intended for Ibokun as a Satellite campus. It is to be named “Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke, Satellite Campus”. This automatically will shore up our students population, and we shall be able to provide the best training for the students, which will thereby enhance National and International recognition and acceptance of our Alumni.
12. For emphasis, the Council is NOT relocating any existing Department or Faculty away from the campus of the College in Esa-Oke. The vision is to expand our academic scope through mounting of new programmes without adding more burden to the finances of the State Government.
13. Irrespective of the misgivings, misinformation, and misinterpretation, the Governing Council will continue to work without distraction to fulfil the mandate given to it by the Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.
14. It is important to state that the Governing Council is in perfect alignment with the visions of the Governor in the continuous revamping of the educational sector in the state, and we abide as expected with every decision in this regard going forward.
OBSERVATION.
I noticed the sentiment attached to the proposition of Ibokun, being my hometown, whereas I am from Obokun Local with Esa-Oke as an integral part of my Obokun heritage.
Esa Oke is my “home” just as Ibokun is my hometown. The underlying reason for Ibokun coming up as a choice location was the availability of relevant multy-million naira equipment that will assist us in achieving our aim of getting the Mass Communication programme accredited by the NBTE for sound practical training readily available in the town. Nothing more. If God had not made me an indigene of Ibokun, based on the realities of the moment and the prevailing circumstantial requirements of NBTE, the town would still have been the choice of the Council for the proposed expansion.
The overall development of OSCOTECH, the host community, Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government and the vision of the Governor are my concerns and priorities. Esa Oke and Ibokun are one entity, one community with one love. What binds us together historically is more than OSCOTECH. Let us in unison put to shame the bad politics being exploited to separate our unity.
If in any way my utterances and actions during the chaos are considered inappropriate, I hereby tender my sincere and unreserved apologies to the Kabiyesi, Chiefs, youths, and my brothers and sisters in Esa-Oke.
I maintain that we are related and will forge ahead in love and unison to develop our home - Obokun.
My appreciation goes to His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the media and individuals, too numerous to mention, that have intervened, may God guide us right. Amen.
Prince Diran Odeyemi,
Chairman,
Governing Council,
Osun State College of Technology (OSCOTECH), Esa-Oke.
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