LAUTECH ownership crisis : Hoodlums attack Osun indigenes

The ownership crisis rocking the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso took a new dimension on Tuesday as some hoodlums reportedly mobilised by some Ogbomoso indigenes invaded the campus and attacked some lecturers and other university workers from Osun State.

Our correspondent gathered that the Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, had sent a delegation led by the Chairman, Osun State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Mr. Folorunso Bamisayemi, to the university on a fact finding mission following the lingering crisis in the institution.

A source, who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent on the telephone that some Ogbomoso indigenes at the school mobilised some hoodlums, to attack the delegates and some university staff, who are Osun State indigenes.

The University Bursar, Mr. A.B.C Olagunju; one Dr. Osunbade who is a lecturer and another lecturer whose identity could not be ascertained as of press time as well as the security personnel attached to the bursar were reportedly attacked by the hoodlums.

It was gathered that the bursar was locked up in his office where he ran to when he learnt that some hoodlums were after him.

Although Osunbade, was said to have been mistakenly attacked because those who attacked him were said to have thought he is an indigene of Osun State because of the Osun prefix in his name.

The bursar, when contacted on the telephone told our correspondent that he was making an official report of the incident at the police station.

The Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Alhaji Muraina Aleshinloye, who confirmed the attack on Osun indigenes to our corespondent on the telephone accused the Chairman, Ogbomoso Parapopo Worldwide, Home Branch, Mr. Saka Bello, of being behind the attack on the Osun State indigenes.

However, Bello when contacted on the telephone by our correspondent, described the allegation as a fabricated story to smear his reputation.

He said, “I did not attack anybody. Non of my members attacked anybody . It is a lie fabricated to tarnish my image. I am not a thug so why will I attack them?

“The only thing we said when we protested was that Osun State indigenes should go and prevail on their governor to also pay what he is owing the university so that the students could resume. That was what we said. We have also gone to Osun State Governor and appealed to him to pay what he is owing.”

He said his interest just like that of other stakeholders was that the university should not be allowed to die due to lack of fund by the two states financing it.

The Public Relations Officer of LAUTECH, Mr. Lekan Fadeyi, could not be reached as calls put across to his telephone lines did not connect.

The LAUTECH is jointly owned and funded by Oyo and Osun State Governments but the two states have been defaulting in payment of subventions to the university.

While Osun State is owing about 14 months, Oyo State is said to be owing eight months and this has forced some staff unions including SSANU to embark on an indefinite strike.