The governor of Oyo state, Mr Abiola Ajimobi has proposed the conversion of the state owned polytechnic, The Polytechnic, Ibadan to a state University.
The proposed Oyo State University with headquarters in Ibadan, the state capital will have satellite campuses in Oyo, Ogbomosho, Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun areas of the state to fast track development across.
Ajimobi disclosed this in Saki, during the maiden edition of the town hall meeting with residents of Atisbo, Saki East and West local governments at the Saki Parapo hall, where people questioned him on his plans for the state and also made some request.
Amongst their needs include tertiary institution, drinking water, irrigation dam and the dualisation of Saki/Iseyin road.
Reacting to the request for a higher institution, Governor Ajimobi stated that establishing a tertiary institution was capital intensive, and it will cost nothing less than N5 billion.
“Because we could not afford to put down such a huge sum of money, that is why we decided to convert The Polytechnic, Ibadan to a university, using the existing structure, so that we can save some money,” he said.
Gov. Ajimobi also assured the people of even development with the establishment of a technical university using the existing structure of the Polytechnic Ibadan.
He turned down the request for a full-fledged polytechnic in the area, saying that polytechnic education was no longer fashionable in the world.
The governor also revealed that talks between the state and federal governments are at advanced stage for the utilization of Ikere Gorge Dam for irrigation, electricity and drinking, adding that the dam will be provide portable water, electricity and irrigation for the people as soon as the federal government gives its approval.
He also stated that his administration had commenced moves to resuscitate the moribund Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP), which has its headquarters in Saki.
The governor started his tour of Saki and environs with the inauguration of roads and other development projects at Atisbo, Saki East and West local governments.
He also received decampees from other political parties.