The turning of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) into a federal institution was beyond any parochial interest as it's new national outlook would go a long way to serve the educational needs of not only the citizens of Ogun State but Nigeria as a whole, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has assured.
Disclosing the reasons behind the state's request to the Federal Government to turn the university into a federal institution, Prince Abiodun said the move was meant to ensure balance in the distribution of federal educational institutions in the state.
He also said the new status of the university will attract more funding so as to make it a model center of academic excellence in the country.
He said: "When I assumed office, I stated that we would be fair, just, and equitable. But when you look at the balance of these institutions, particularly federal institutions, you realize that it is ideal to have a federal institution in that particular District in addition to the existing ones in the other districts.
"I know that because of the paucity of funds, it is not easy for the federal government to start a greenfield institution, so I looked around and thought it would be best to present a request to our President to take over one of our foremost institutions in Ogun East.
"This way, beyond the Federal Government Girls' College, Sagamu, and the Federal Government College, Odogbolu, Ogun East can also have a tertiary institution that is owned by the federal government, particularly knowing fully well that our foremost educationist, Dr. Tai Solarin, and the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, are from that part of Ogun State."
Giving details of the events that led to the takeover of the university, the governor said he and his team, after thorough searches, picked TASUED and presented the idea to the federal government in July last year through the Minister of Education, who carried out due diligence before passing the memo to the President for approval.
"I conferred with my team, and we decided to present the Tai Solarin University of Education to Mr. President for adoption. The reason is not far-fetched; besides the fact that it is located in Ogun East, it is also the premier university of education named after one of the foremost educationists in Nigeria," Abiodun stated.
The governor emphasized that the takeover was not accidental, as a lot of work went into it, saying, "This did not happen by accident; it was intentional, deliberate, and purposeful. We asked for it, and Mr. President, in his magnanimity, saw with us, accepted, and granted us the approval for this institution to become a federal institution."
He assured the President and the Federal Ministry of Education that they were inheriting a standard and first-class university that his administration has continued to nurture and sustain since its inception in 2019.
"I can confidently say that what they have adopted is perhaps one of the best universities in this country because we ensured that we provided that university with support so that it continues to occupy its pride of place among the comity of universities.
"On behalf of the entire people of Ogun State, on behalf of the Awujale, who has also been desirous of a federal tertiary institution in Ogun East, on behalf of all that Tai Solarin stood for, and on behalf of what Chief Obafemi Awolowo fought for, which gave us a head start in the southwest and allowed most of us to be educated, I want to thank Mr. President for accepting to adopt this university," he added.
Governor Abiodun paid glowing tributes to the initiator of free education scheme in the old Western Region, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo who, he said, democratized education for all, despite the fact that he was from Ogun East senatorial district of the state.
He also lauded the late educationist whom the school was named after, Dr Tai Solarin, saying that he was a national figure and an icon from Ogun East Eastern senatorial district who used his God-given knowledge to bring quality education to the doorsteps of all Nigerians irrespective of their state of origin or religion.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said the takeover of the school would give it more leverage in terms of access to more funds, facilities, and manpower.
"The takeover will provide the university with more opportunities to blossom. There will be more developments, and the institution will receive more Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) every year, which means that the school will be able to devote more resources to research and other aspects of educational development.
"It is a welcome development for us in Ogun State; it is a welcome development for the university education sector, as TASUED is a referral institution when it comes to education in the areas of teaching, learning, and more," he said.
The commissioner advised the institution to focus on its core mandates by becoming a center of excellence capable of providing solutions to issues affecting educational development, noting that the whole nation would look up to it as a reference that provides direction on policies and programs on education.
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