By Damola Emmanuel
Leaders of thought in Ijesaland, as well as Ijesas at home and in the diaspora, have sent a passionate plea to the Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Ademola Adeleke, to expedite the review of the University of Ilesa take-off plan, which he ordered, to enable students of the new institution resume studies for the next academic session alongside their colleagues nationwide.
The Asiwaju of Ijesaland, High Chief Yinka Fasuyi, made the plea on behalf of Ijesas worldwide, in a letter he wrote to the governor dated Wednesday, January 11, 2023, on Wednesday.
At a time Ijesas had been jubilating that their 45 years struggle to have a university established in Ilesa, the traditional headquarters of Ijesas, had finally come true, Governor Adeleke, on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, inaugurated an 11-member committee to review the establishment of the University of Ilesa.
The Governor gave the Committee six weeks to complete its work, a period that many Ijesas fear might put the institution’s take-off in jeopardy.
Indeed, the move by the new administration has triggered apprehension in Ijesaland whose natives believe granting the committee six weeks would impede the Unversity of Ilesa from competing with other already accredited Universities in Nigeria for admitting students from September 2023 through the JAMB/UTME which registration exercise starts on Monday, January 14, 2023.
In the letter, High Chief Fasuyi, on behalf of Ijesa leaders of thought, maintained that the Committee could finish its work within two weeks, while the State House of Assembly and Government of the State of Osun, owners of the University, fast-track action at paving the way for the effective take-off of academic activities in the institution.
If Governor Adeleke accedes to the prayer of Ijesas, Fasuyi strongly noted in the letter, “University of Ilesa would be able to compete with other already accredited Universities in Nigeria for admitting students from September 2023 through the JAMB UTME registration exercise starting on Monday, 14th January, 2023.
“Two, if His Excellency accedes to the prayer of all the people of Ijesaland, interested students in the University of Ilesa would only lose one week within the registration period, that’s 14th January to 22nd January 2023 and will still be able to utilise the remaining three weeks between 23rd January and 13th of February 2023 to complete their registration.
“Three, if His Excellency shows compassion to the heartfelt desire of all Ijesas worldwide, the momentum of all Ijesas towards contributing their quota as a Community to the University of Ilesa funding will be sustained and boosted. For the information of our dear Excellency, a primary premise upon which this University was approved by the previous Administration is the unique and unprecedented trait of Ijesa people who inspite of the worsening global economic scenario coupled with negative effects of COVID-19 pandemic around the world still gallantly proceeded to construct a multi-million Naira Ultra-modern Palace of Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland and also the construction and delivery of the largest community-funded project in Nigeria in the N1B (One Billion Naira) Ijesaland Geriatric Centre *ALL BY IJESA PEOPLE WITHOUT A SINGLE KOBO CONTRIBUTION FROM ANY GOVERNMENT OR OUTSIDERS* This is our pedigree in Ijesaland and we are willing and ready to do far more for the University of Ilesa which is our collective priority project of over 40 years.
“Four, there’s palpable fear in the entire Ijesaland that any delay in the immediate take-off of the University of Ilesa could take the land back to her unpleasant scenario that Ijesas have suffered in their prolonged struggle to have a University in the Traditional, Cultural, Socioeconomic Capital of Ijesa Kingdom, Ilesa which incidentally accounts for about 56% of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the entire State of Osun.”
Below is the full text of the letter to Governor Adeleke:
His Excellency,
Mr. Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke,
The Executive Governor,
State of Osun.
Osogbo.
11th January, 2023.
*OPEN LETTER TO THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OSUN ON THE INAUGURATION OF UNIVERSITY OF ILESA REVIEW COMMITTEE*
*MATTERS ARISING: UNIVERSITY OF ILESA IS A FAIT ACCOMPLI !*
The development regarding the State Governor, His Excellency Mr Ademola Adeleke’s inauguration yesterday, Tuesday, 10th January 2023 of an 11-member Committee to review the University of Ilesa refers.
No doubt, many patriotic Ijesas both at home and in the diaspora would be worried about this development most especially its implications on the immediate take-off of the University’s academic session, expected to commence with the JAMB UTME registration forms to all accredited Universities in Nigeria (University of Ilesa inclusive) slated to be opened for sale to all prospective students seeking to be admitted into Nigerian Universities in 2023/24 academic session next week Monday, 14th January, 2023.
The Terms of Reference given to the Committee can be categorised into three main classes, namely;
First is to identify financial needs of the University and procedures and strategies for sourcing for same.
Second is to identify flaws in the University Establishment Law with an intention to correct same and furthermore seek recommendations from the Committee on how to phase implementation of the University Faculties and Courses.
Third is the reconciliation of Trade Union issues; Assets and Liabilities from the defunct Osun State College of Education, Ilesa to the University of Ilesa.
While we would like to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency, Governor Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke for his identification with the desire of the people of Ijesaland to have this University after well over 40 years of unceasing agitation and prayers, we would however passionately plead with His Excellency to kindly help in reviewing the Time Frame contained in the Terms of Reference handed over to the University of Ilesa Review Committee *FROM SIX WEEKS TO A MAXIMUM OF TWO WEEKS* for the following reasons:
One, the summarised Term of Reference number one in respect of identifying financial needs of the University and how to source for same has been painstakingly worked upon by the University Project Consultative Committee (UPCC). The details of this is contained in the University Sustainability Plan which we produced and gave to the former State Government Administration of Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola on Friday, 6th August 2021. A copy of this same University Sustainability Plan that details on the various capital and recurrent financial projected needs of the new University and how to source for same, along with other vital documents such as The University Masterplan and University Academic Brief were handed over to the leadership of the current ruling party in Ilesa on Wednesday, 4th January, 2023.
A major highlight in the University Sustainability Plan is the emphatic statement that Osun State Government shall not need to add any extra kobo to what it currently appropriates to the erstwhile College of Education to what it will providing to the new University as alternative sources of funding have been carefully strategised upon to take care of all other extra financial needs.
We would therefore like the State Government to kindly avail itself of this University Sustainability Plan which is already in its possession in order to reduce the workload of the University Review Committee and thereby justify reduction of its time frame from six weeks to two weeks since this component constitutes a major part of the Committee’s job.
Per adventure there are clarifications required on the University Sustainability Plan, the UPCC members are available to be invited to provide such within 24 hours.
Two, the listing of “Identify the gaps within the UNILESA Establishment Law and make appropriate recommendations towards its amendment…..” on the Terms of Reference of the University Review Committee suggests that the State Government has already made its diligent observations on the areas requiring to be amended.
With this visionary identification of such defects, the State Government could assist in fast-tracking the passage of such amendments within a record time. We will also be trusting on the cooperation of the Osun State House of Assembly in supporting this desirable need of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke. After all, we have witnessed in this country both at the National Assembly and States’ Assembly where Bills are introduced, debated, heard, first reading made, second reading made, third reading made, and bills passage are all done *WITHIN ONE LEGISLATIVE DAY* Moreso, the University of Ilesa enjoys tremendous support and approval from across all communities, constituents, and people of Osun State without exception which will serve as a boost to its timely passage.
Luckily, His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared his unwavering passion for the University of Ilesa.
The combination of the anticipated support from the Osun State House of Assembly and the love and affection the Governor, His Excellency Ademola Adeleke has for the people of Ijesaland could yield the result of producing a fully amended University Establishment Law (Amended) within *ONE WEEK AND THEREBY MAKE JUSTIFICATION FOR REDUCING THE TIME FRAME GIVEN TO THE UNIVERSITY REVIEW COMMITTEE FROM SIX WEEKS TO TWO WEEKS*
In similar vein, the strategy for the phasing of Faculties and Courses are all already professionally done and submitted to the previous State Administration and representatives of the incumbent ruling party in the State. It is to be noted that the University Project Consultative Committee (UPCC) engaged the services of one of the best Consultancy outfits in Nigeria with special specialisation in developing University Masterplan and who has rendered same services for most of the first and second generation Universities in Nigeria. The phasing of Faculties and Courses have been painstakingly worked out in accordance with the University Financial Sustainability Plan submitted to the State Government.
Three, is the third and final on the summarised ToR that deals with the Trade Unions, Assets and Liabilities left over by the erstwhile College of Education for the new University.
The leadership of the various Academic, Non-Academic, and Others can be fully invited and engaged by the State Government and resolve all pending matters within a maximum of two to three intensive days and get a clear and sustainable result. After all, it is the same Osun State Government that owns both erstwhile College of Education and the new University. The Employer is the same person in law for the two institutions. It could have been more cumbersome if one is owned by the Federal Government and the other is owned by the State Government.
And for the Assets and Liabilities of the two institutions, we are aware that the State Government had already set up a Committee three weeks ago to review the Assets and Liabilities of all MDAs in the State. The erstwhile College of Education, Ilesa was covered in this State-wide exercise hence, there will not be a need to start another fresh review again. We are also aware that the State Committee on Assets and Liabilities has completed its assignment and we therefore plead with the State Government to make use of the outputs of this Committee as it relates to the former College of Education for the new University of Ilesa since nothing would have changed in the status between when the Committee completes its work and now and therefore substantially reduce the workload of the University of Ilesa Review Committee *AND THEREFORE JUSTIFY THE REDUCTION OF THE TIME FRAME GIVEN TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ILESA REVIEW COMMITTEE FROM SIX WEEKS TO TWO WEEKS*
In the name of the Almighty God; Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland; all our revered Traditional Rulers in the six LGAs of Ijesaland; all our Pan-Ijesa Societies, Clubs, and Associations, all Ijesa Leaders; all Sons and Daughters; all Youths in Ijesaland both at home and in the diaspora, we plead of our kind-hearted and Ijesas loving Governor, His Excellency Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke to please kindly revisit the time frame given to the University of Ilesa Review Committee by reducing the period from six weeks to a maximum of two weeks for the following prayers:
One, if His Excellency hearkens to our prayer, University of Ilesa would be able to compete with other already accredited Universities in Nigeria for admitting students from September 2023 through the JAMB UTME registration exercise starting on Monday, 14th January, 2023.
Two, if His Excellency accedes to the prayer of all the people of Ijesaland, interested students in the University of Ilesa would only lose one week within the registration period, that’s 14th January to 22nd January 2023 and will still be able to utilise the remaining three weeks between 23rd January and 13th of February 2023 to complete their registration.
Three, if His Excellency shows compassion to the heartfelt desire of all Ijesas worldwide, the momentum of all Ijesas towards contributing their quota as a Community to the University of Ilesa funding will be sustained and boosted. For the information of our dear Excellency, a primary premise upon which this University was approved by the previous Administration is the unique and unprecedented trait of Ijesa people who inspite of the worsening global economic scenario coupled with negative effects of COVID-19 pandemic around the world still gallantly proceeded to construct a multi-million Naira Ultra-modern Palace of Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland and also the construction and delivery of the largest community-funded project in Nigeria in the N1B (One Billion Naira) Ijesaland Geriatric Centre *ALL BY IJESA PEOPLE WITHOUT A SINGLE KOBO CONTRIBUTION FROM ANY GOVERNMENT OR OUTSIDERS* This is our pedigree in Ijesaland and we are willing and ready to do far more for the University of Ilesa which is our collective priority project of over 40 years.
Four, there’s palpable fear in the entire Ijesaland that any delay in the immediate take-off of the University of Ilesa could take the land back to her unpleasant scenario that Ijesas have suffered in their prolonged struggle to have a University in the Traditional, Cultural, Socioeconomic Capital of Ijesa Kingdom, Ilesa which incidentally accounts for about 56% of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the entire State of Osun.
The Ijesas are tired of further prolonging the scenario of agitation our dear loving Excellency! His Excellency, kindly just imagine:
In-between when the Oyo State College of Education, Ilesa was established in 1978 and now, we have had Col David Jemibewon Administration (March 1976-July 1978); Col Paul Tarfa Administration (July 1978-Oct 1979); Chief Bola Ige Administration (Oct 1979-Oct 1983); Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo Administration (Oct 1983-Dec 1983); Lt. Col Oladayo Popoola Administration (Jan 1984-Sept 1985); Col. Adetunji Olurin Administration (Sept 1985-July 1988); Col Sasaenia Oresanya Administration (July 1988-Aug 1990); Col Abdukareem Adisa Administration (Sept 1990 till Osun State was created from Old Oyo State on 27th August 1991); Leo Segun Ajiborisha Administration (Aug 1991-Jan 1992); Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke Administration (Jan 1992-Nov 1993); Anthony Udofia Administration (Dec 1993-Aug 1996); Anthony Obi Administration ( Aug 1996-Aug 1998); Theophilus Bamigboye Administration ( Aug 1998-May 1999); Adebisi Akande Administration (May 1999-May 2003); Olagunsoye Oyinlola Administration ( May 2003-Nov 2010); Rauf Aregbesola Administration (Nov 2010-Nov 2018); Adegboyega Oyetola Administration (Nov 2018-Nov 2022) and the incumbent Administration of Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke (Nov 2022-Till Date).
In all, Ijesaland has waited for 45 years under 18 different Administrations to have her desire fully fulfilled. The popular Yoruba adage says *Ireti pipe, o ma nda okan l’amu*
Our Dear First Citizen of the State, a proud supporter and advocate of Ijesa topmost desire, His Excellency, Governor Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke *PLEASE LET UNIVERSITY OF ILESA FULLY TAKE-OFF IN ANOTHER TWO WEEKS FROM NOW*
God bless His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke!
God bless University of Ilesa!
God bless Ijesaland!
God bless the State of Osun!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
*Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, F.N.I.M; F.I.M.C; F.N.I.T.A.D.*
*The Asiwaju of Ijesaland*
*Oke Baba Okuta Villa, Ilesa*
*11th January, 2023*