OAUSTECH Struggle For immediate Resuscitation

Posted by E.L.E.X on June 15 2020 under News

Almost Thirteen years after it was established, the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) formerly Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State looks anything, but a higher institution. The campus is covered by weeds and it is confronted with academic and infrastructural challenges. Members of the host community are not happy with the state of the institution.

After a 10-minute drive from Okitipupa on the Igbokoda Highway in Ondo South Senatorial District lies a fallow land bordering Igodan-Lisa, Igbodigo and Erinje communities in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State. The land is the permanent site of the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) which was founded in December, 2007.

For a people whose community has suffered neglect, the establishment of the university was seen as a sop. They rejoiced when the law setting up the school was passed by the Ondo State House of Assembly in 2008. Eight years after, the institution is an eyesore.

The campus is hardly visible, even at close range. From the main gate, an array of uncompleted buildings welcomes visitors. The weather-beaten structures are surrounded by thick weeds. The corroded gates are manned by under-fed security personnel who stop and search vehicles going into the campus.

But for the rectangular signboard that bears the institution’s name, a first-time visitor could mistake the campus for a farmland.

On the left side, after the main gate, is the uncompleted Sport Complex. It can only be identified by a signpost, having been overgrown by weeds. On the right is the Students’ Union Building (SUB), which has been converted to the Centre for Entrepreneurial and Leadership Training (CELT).

Investigation showed that the CELT building has been leased out to businessmen as bakery and water factory. Plantain chips merchants occupy a section of the building.

At a junction on the campus is the Senate Building, which had been under construction since 2008. The Senate Building has just been completed by the Current Ondo State Governor,Rotimi Akeredolu. Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu. Next to it are the Administrative Block and main library, which are also under construction.

Ondo State indigenes in the Faculty of Engineering pay N200,000; non-indigenes, N250,000. Ondo State indigenes in the Faculty of Science pay N100,000; non-indigenes, N150,000. Ondo State indigenes in the Faculty of Agriculture pay N100,000; non-indigenes, N150,000. Irked by the exorbitant fee, students went wild, blocking the Igbokoda Highway to draw attention to their plight few years ago but all to no avail. The exorbitant fee was not reduced.

The institution has remained underdeveloped with little infrastructures.

With all these you have read