LAUTECH: We’ve never defaulted in paying salaries of workers –Osun Govt

LAUTECH: We’ve never defaulted in paying salaries of workers –Osun Govt

The Government of the State of Osun has described the comments by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on the running of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) that tended to suggest that Osun has abandoned payment of workers of the institution as a product of misinformation.

It said to the contrary, the state has always been alive to its responsibility with regard to its obligations to LAUTECH despite the obvious lopsidedness in the distribution of infrastructure between the two owner states.

A statement from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Wole Oyebamiji, on Tuesday, noted that Osun has never defaulted in the payment of salaries of workers in both the university and the Teaching Hospital in Osogbo.

It added that in 2017 alone, while Oyo contributed N717, 888, 795.00, Osun contributed N1, 292, 000, 000.00. In 2018, Oyo contributed N443, 865,554.00; Osun contributed N500, 000,000.

The government was however quick to add that in addition to contributing regularly to LAUTECH in Ogbomoso, as indicated above, Osun State alone has been responsible for paying the salaries of workers at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, from 2013 to date, amounting to N16, 369, 953, 830.48.

For instance, from January to June this year, while Oyo had paid about N1.1billion to the university, Osun on the other hand had paid about N1.7 billion from January to July this year to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital. This is in addition to the N300million it released to the university in July. 

“Effectively, what this implies is that while Osun had cumulatively spent about N2billion on the institution from January to date, Oyo had only spent a little over N1billion.

“From the foregoing, who has defaulted? Rather than attempt to vilify our government, we should be commended. The university is a joint responsibility.  Whatever decision that needs to be taken on its future must be mutually agreed upon.

“Again, for emphasis, we are committed to the joint ownership of LAUTECH and we will never shy away from our responsibilities, just as we will never sacrifice the future of the students of the university on the altar of partisan politics,” the government added.

Our govt is ready to work on any initiative that will Fast track youth development~ say Oyetola

Our govt is ready to work on any initiative that will Fast track youth development~ say Oyetola

Governor, State of Osun Mr Gboyega Oyetola says he is ready to partner  organizations on any initiative that can assist his government to achieve its set objectives for youth development.

Governor Oyetola gave the assurance on Wednesday in Osogbo at a program tagged 'Osun Youth Agenda Policy Dialogue' organised by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI).

The Governor who was represented by his deputy Mr Benedict Alabi identified the critical role of the youth as most active segment of any society and the need for them to be active and productive for national development.

He said as youths, nothing will be too difficult for them to achieve if only they can be fully engaged with sustainable jobs.

To achieve this according to the Governor, the youth must be self motivational, research oriented and  have a sound mind and right approach to developmental issues.

He said as a government, youth centered policies  are being put in place by his administration in order to get the youth off the roads and get them fully engaged in various sectors of economy such as education, agriculture and mining.

Mr Oyetola who thanked the organisers of the program for the good initiative however warned the youth against looking for free money or shortcut to wealth.

In his words, "Osun is really blessed with a government that is youth focused.

"Oyetola's administration has a special focus in education, agriculture and mining in the interest of the youth for their sustainable development.

 " we need to get our youths to key into the policies and programmes of Governor Gboyega Oyetola's administration to be gainfully employed".

" Let our youth see themselves and strive to be the agents of change they want, for their dreams and aspirations to be realised," he said.