Aiyedatiwa seeks collaboration to develop Ondo varsity

The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has called for collaboration to develop the tertiary education sector of the state.

Aiyedatiwa said the collaboration was needed to address accommodation challenges faced by students of tertiary institutions in the state, reiterating that the government alone could not meet all their needs.

He stated this during a meeting with student representatives of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, at his office in Akure, the state capital.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the governor, who commended the students for their peaceful conduct, affirmed that since his assumption of office, there had been no reports of unrest or violent agitation within the student community, a development he credited to their discipline and constructive engagement.

He called on private investors to build hostels within and around campuses to complement government efforts and enhance the security of the students.

“The government cannot provide everything. Resources are limited. That’s why we are calling on investors to build hostels for students on or near campuses. It’s a viable venture that will also enhance student security,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa reiterated his administration’s renewed focus on technical and vocational education, describing it as vital to industrial growth and job creation.

He said, “We are paying more attention to technical education. Investors are coming, and they will need skilled labour.”

He also pledged to resolve the electricity supply challenges at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, expressing optimism that the issue would be addressed promptly to enhance academic and research productivity.

As part of his administration’s commitment to student welfare, the governor announced the approval of five new buses for student bodies across tertiary institutions in the state, with more to come.

He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting education and youth development through scholarships, grants and other financial interventions.

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Students’ Affairs, Kelvin Olaolu, expressed appreciation for the governor’s wavering support for the student community.

“In the history of student unionism in this state, we have maintained peace and order because of your leadership style. You have been a father to us, and we appreciate your efforts in increasing bus allocations and extending support to private institutions,” he said.

This came a few days after lectures of the institution under the Academic Staff Union of Universities appealed to Aiyedatiwa to urgently intervene and rescue the institution from what they described as imminent collapse.

The union lamented that the university had suffered years of neglect, with staff owed salaries and infrastructure deteriorating across the campus.