By: Sayo Àlàgbé
TO THE uninformed, Ogbomoso might appear as a modest town tucked away in the heart of Oyo State and hinterland of Nigeria. But to those who understand its terrain, like the residents, historians, scholars, and travelers alike; it is a vibrant city with deep historical roots, peaceful ambiance, and impressive developmental strides. As the second-largest city in Oyo State after Ibadan, Ogbomoso is not just a geographical landmark, but a thriving metropolis defined by its growing population, socio-economic expansion, and enduring spirit of peaceful coexistence. Though occasional local disagreements can arise, as it is common in any traditional Nigerian society, Ogbomoso remains largely serene. The community, known for its hospitality, continues to provide a safe haven for both indigenes and strangers, especially students and workers who have chosen it as their home.
YET, RECENT rumours and social media unconfirmed stories have been painting a false picture of rising insecurity around Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), a respected academic institution in Ogbomoso. The fictitious claims of cultism resurgence, kidnappings, killings, and insecurity; have cast a shadow over the reputation of this citadel of learning in the last couple of days. This article aims to sift through the noise and reaffirm the values upon which LAUTECH stands. Truth always prevails.
MOREOVER, LAUTECH is a beacon of academic excellence, since its establishment over three decades ago, it has carved a niche for itself as a center of knowledge, discipline, excellence, and innovation. The university is home to a vibrant academic community, and has consistently maintained high standards under the leadership of visionary administrators.
OVER THE years, the university has been fortunate to have Vice Chancellors who were not only academically sound, but also astute managers of people and resources. One of such leader is the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Olatunde Rom Kalilu, a renowned scholar and administrator; who has continued the tradition of proactive leadership and peaceful campus culture and academic traditions.
CONTRARY TO the exaggerated information, LAUTECH is not breeding ground for cultism, violence and criminality. Since the emergence of Prof. Rom Kalilu as Acting and substantive Vice Chancellor (2023-till date), the university has not recorded interrupted academic calendar, students unrest, or violence through cultism or related sources. Like any institution in a rapidly expanding urban area, it faces its own share of external threats and Management challenges. However, many of the alleged incidents linked to the university, majorly originated outside the university campus, engineered by criminal elements within the neighbouring areas.
THE CHALLENGES of off-campus living always come with its own troubles, as obtainable in other towns and cities where institutions operate similar modalities. One key factor often overlooked is the absence of official student hostels within the university campus. As a result, hundreds of students live off-campus, to rent private accommodations across Ogbomoso. While this arrangement allows flexibility and community integration, it also opens the door to vulnerabilities, especially when landlords and security agencies fail to act collaboratively or have result-oriented relationship and coexistence. Things will apart.
YET, LAUTECH Management has not turned blind eye to this unpleasant stories. The Management is aware of likely implications of insecurity, which makes the university takes initiative and forward-looking bold strategic steps to ensure the safety of its students, even beyond its immediate walls. Under Prof. Kalilu’s leadership, the institution has partnered with the Nigerian Police, Civil Defence Corps, Àmòtékùn, local vigilantes, and the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) to provide 24-hours surveillance and patrols in student-populated areas.
THE FACT remains that security is a shared responsibility. As a result, the security of university community should not fall solely on the shoulders of LAUTECH’s Management alone, but equally belongs to the local government where the institution is Iocated. Similarly, landlords, estate developers, community leaders, and other local authorities; all have crucial roles to play. There is an urgent need for an advanced joint, coordinated security architecture that can safeguard the entire city and its environs; not just the university undergraduates.
MOREOVER, STUDENTS need to be sensitized and empowered to anonymously report suspicious activities across various multimedia and digital platforms, towards safeguarding themselves and their institution image at large.
SIGNIFICANTLY, LAUTECH is a university on the rise to greater heights beyond the horizon. Despite these challenges, LAUTECH’s academic reputation continues to soar. It has become a hub for cutting-edge research, technological innovation, and top-tier human capital development. Graduates of the institution are making significant contributions across various fields globally, proving that Ogbomoso is not just a city of culture, but intellectual capital.
THE CREDIT for most of the transformation equally goes to Governor Sèyí Mákindé, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, who took a bold step in resolving the long-standing issue of LAUTECH’s joint ownership between Oyo State and Osun State. By actualising the sole ownership and full control under Oyo State government, he has rescued it from institutional collapse and charted a new path for renewed growth and stability.
TODAY, UNDER his leadership, LAUTECH has received strategic
funding, improved infrastructure, and renewed public trust, making it one of Nigeria’s most promising institutions. The name Sèyí Mákindé is already etched in the sands of time as a visionary who revitalized LAUTECH, repositioned it for new set goals.
COMPARATIVELY, THE need for campus hostels has become inevitable as a way of looking ahead and moving forward from the present unpleasant stories this writer categorise as bunch of distractions and sabotages. Going forward, it is imperative that the Oyo State Government, under Governor Seyi Mákindé, prioritize the construction of modern and secure hostel facilities within the university. Such a move would not only reduce students’ exposure to external threats, but offer peace of mind to the students, their families and the Management.
TO PROVIDE both academic excellence through consolidated efforts, physical and pragmatic security, LAUTECH can truly achieve and exceeds expectations. The university deserves paradigm-shift in terms of accommodation and further infrastructures. LAUTECH has the wherewithal to produce the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and global leaders. There are precedents.
IN SUMMATION, LAUTECH and
Ogbomoso remain domains of peace, culture, and promises. LAUTECH will continue to rise against the odds. The university is guided by the vision of the founding fathers, leaders and the resilience of its people. The rumours of insecurity is unfounded and cannot overshadow the real narrative: a community and university striving together to build a brighter, safer, and smarter future.
THAT’S it. N
NO controversy.
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