Debo Adeoye, Ibadan
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 on Tuesday advised Govs Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State to take a proactive approach to cede ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), a university jointly owned by the two states to one of the states by putting end to the joint ownership agreement of the university.
Alaafin insisted it is not possible for two states to successfully manage a university in Nigeria. Kabiyesi gave the advice while receiving members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, led by the state Chairman of the union, Commrade Ismail Ademola Babalola in his palace, at Oyo.
He spotted joint ownership agreement between the two states of Oyo and Osun as the source of crises in the institution. He also identified differences in political parties, ideologies and polices as factors that will not allow the two state governors to agree on some issues that affect the university.
The monarch said, “Have you heard of a situation where two men married one single woman as a wife at the same time? There is no way two states will run one university in Nigeria.
“There are some time where they will come from different political parties. No, two states cannot manage one university successfully. Even, when they are from the same political party, they will have different polices.
“The education policies introduced by Aregbesola have been cancelled by Oyetola. So, there is no way two states can manage the university successfully”.
Alaafin was very analytical in his discussion on some national issues, including LAUTECH crisis, ongoing ASUU warning strike among others. He emphasized that the best way to solve the crisis at LAUTECH Is to end the joint ownership agreement of the university.
Meanwhile, Oba Adeyemi attributed the impasse between the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to a disconnect between the duo, urging them to honour every agreement reached.
“The problem of the Federal Government and ASUU has to do with disconnect between the duo. It is good that the two parties always honour whatever agreement reached to avoid unnecessary crisis,” he said.
The monarch noted that for democracy to thrive in the country, political and traditional leaders at all level must be able to stand criticism.
According to the paramount ruler, most leaders in Nigeria do not like criticism, describing it as very unfortunate for democratic development in the country.
“Our leaders, either political or traditional, must be able to take criticism if we really want democracy to thrive in Nigeria. There is no country in the world running the type of constitution we are running in Nigeria.
“When people criticize me, I sit down and think if what they are critisising me for is true or false, and I adjust,” he said.
Alaafin lauded the contributions of journalists to national growth and development in spite of the dangers attached to the profession.
Kabiyesi said that the media as the fourth estate of the realm had made tremendous impact in moving the country forward.
“I have also benefited and made name through the media. I am aware of what you face in the course of discharging your duty. Many journalists have been castigated and even detained,” Alaafin said.
Earlier, Babalola thanked the monarch for his support towards upholding the image of Yoruba nation, describing him as a monarch of note in the country.
“There is no journalist in Oyo State that has not passed through this palace at one time or the other for story or research. The fatherly role you have been giving to journalists in the last few decades is much appreciated,” he said.
Babalola pointed out that the purpose of the courtesy visit was to inform the monarch of activities lined up to celebrate the 100 days in office of the new Oyo NUJ executives
“We decided to pay royal homage to the Alaafin in appreciation of his support to the union, and to receive royal blessing upon the programmes lined up for the celebration of the 100 days in office of the new NUJ executives.
“We were elected on Dec. 18, 2019, and we will be celebrating our 100 days in office in the next ten days. We thank the Alaafin for providing the kind of leadership Nigeria needs, particularly for the Yoruba Nation,” Babalola said.
The state NUJ chairman said that some traditional rulers in Yoruba land had been relegated to the background, but Alaafin had sustained the place of the Yoruba traditional institution in the country.
