It takes higher learning and a courageous, gracious heart, however, for anyone to admit error of omission and interpretation, particularly when the misinterpretation dwells on a newly elected governor’s heartfelt bid to remedy a grave, unpardonable error by his predecessor.
In light of this, Engr Tokunbo Odebunmi, President of the Abeokuta Club, might have to issue a contrite retraction of his previous statement on the committee set up to look into the operational modalities of the Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (MAUSTECH), Abeokuta and Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia, which were established by the immediate past government.
He may do so knowing that cognitive blunders usually do more to shape history than physical errors.
Having misconstrued Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun’s desire to right the error of his predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun, in converting the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) to MAUSTECH, a degree awarding institution, without the necessary facilities to accommodate such upgrade, Odebunmi condemned in very strong terms, Governor Abiodun’s mitigatory measures.
It would be recalled, that, in the twilight of Amosun’s administration, the governor inaugurated a Governing Council, headed by a renowned son of Ogun State, Oye Hassan-Odukale. However, the council which was appointed, purportedly to oversee the implementation of the change only exists in name.
And while academic activities stalled at MAPOLY, the staff and students of the school were cast in limbo as the law establishing the institution had been reviewed to pave the way for the emergence of MAUSTECH, without attendant efforts to guarantee its take-off.
It was at the backdrop of this situation that Governor Abiodun gave the directive that academic activities be returned to MAPOLY; to be effective, the law establishing the polytechnic had to be re-enforced.
In response, Engr. Odebunmi condemned the incumbent governor’s measure, alleging that it was borne of bias and an agenda to favour a particular tribe and region in the eastern axis of the state.
Reacting to his claims, however, the incumbent government has issued a response, also condemning the statement by the President of the Abeokuta Club.
Governor Abiodun’s administration expressed its astonishment, claiming that it was highly alarmed at the tribal colouration given to its decision.
“The allegation that the government is executing a hidden agenda in favour of any group or people in the state is grossly unfair,” said the government in a press release signed by Modele Şarafa-Yusuf , Special Adviser to the Governor on Information
The statement reads: “But while we understand and appreciate the clamour by groups and regions in our dear state for even representation of government projects, the decision taken so far by government is also to respect that clamour and ensure that the resources of the state are evenly distributed and judiciously appropriated. That informed the setting up of a committee on the issue.”
The government explained, that, the committee was set up, in view of what was inherited on the status of the two institutions, to ascertain the current operational status of the institutions; identify issues and challenges related to the establishment and operations of the two institutions; determine the viability and sustainability of the institutions on a long-term basis; and identify any other issue(s) related to the objectives of the assignment; and make recommendations for the consideration of the government.”
“These, we believe, are clear enough assignments given to that committee devoid of tribal bias or ethnic ambush from government as being suggested by the Abeokuta Club.”
The committee, headed by Professor Segun Awonusi, according to the government, is still sitting and is yet to conclude on its assignment. Consequently, the incumbent administration argued that there was no reason for anyone to be pre-emptive of the committee’s report or resort to issuing statement that could cause confusion and misunderstanding of Governor Abiodun’s action in the state.
The emergence of the governor as the All Progresives Congress (APC) gubernatorial flagbearer, and his eventual victory at the polls, against all odds, according to the statement, “were engineered by the collective will of the people…It is a government that was birthed by the good people of Egba, Ijebu, Remo, Awori, Yewa and others. It is, therefore, unthinkable to accuse such a government of promoting primordial tribal agenda in a sophisticated state like our dear Ogun State.”
