The Ogun State Governor’s Elders Advisory Council (GEAC) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for adopting Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) as a federal tertiary institution.
The Council also commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for initiating the moves that led to the federal government’s takeover of the foremost institution.
The Advisory Council made this known at a meeting held at the Valleyview Auditorium, Government House, Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta, Ogun State. They also called on the federal government to retain the name of the institution as it is, stating that the name was carefully chosen to honor an educationist of high repute in the country.
A motion to that effect was raised by Chief (Hon) Dipo Akingbade and seconded by Dr. Rasheed Adenusi.
“I want to say that this honorable house commends Mr. President for this step. The President has done so well with the adoption of Tai Solarin University of Education by the federal government.
“I also want to congratulate the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for this happening during his tenure. It is also a sign that he is doing very well and that all his efforts are being corroborated by the federal government.
“I want to emphasize that efforts should be intensified to ensure that the name of that institution is not changed for whatever reason because Tai Solarin was a father of education not only in Ogun State but in Nigeria as a whole.
“I am moving a motion that this honorable house write a letter to the President; the President knows the importance of the Governor’s Elders Advisory Council. So, this house should write a letter to the President expressing our happiness and delight over the adoption of Tai Solarin University of Education,” he said.
Chairman of the Council, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, noted that the adoption of TASUED by the federal government was a good decision, adding that the name of the institution should not be changed by the federal government.
“It will do a lot; it is a good and wonderful decision, and I am personally happy about it. This is an institution that is currently being funded 100% by the Ogun State Government. In terms of physical assets such as buildings and hostels, with federal support, they can do better than they have now.
“The staff of that college will now increase in number because, you know, it is now a federal institution. It is a very good decision, and we in Ogun are very happy and thank the federal government.
“The name should not be changed. It should be retained because the name has been carefully chosen. Tai Solarin was a first-class educationist. If we want to recognize our people for their efforts and the contributions they have made to education, the name should remain,” he said.
The council, through another member, Alhaji Bisi Quadri, also moved a motion that was seconded by Chief Pegba Otemolu on the need to appreciate Governor Abiodun for his tenacity in continuously ensuring that road networks in the state are improved.
The motion also appreciated the Governor for spreading the recently approved 11 roads across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The Council also commended Governor Abiodun for approving the recruitment of 500 additional Amotekun personnel to help bolster security in the state.
The Council noted that the recruitment of the new personnel would help to reduce crime in the state.
“I want to commend the effort of the Governor, especially on security. He is trying his best to improve security in the state. While thanking him for his approval for more Amotekun personnel, we need more hands for security purposes because security is very important for the socio-economic development of our state.”
A former member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Bode Adeaga, commended the federal government under the leadership of President Tinubu for approving the appointment of principal officers for the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta.
He described the approval of the appointment of the officers as a clear indication of the federal government’s commitment to the commencement of the university.
The Elders Council also filled existing vacancies following the deaths of three members representing Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu, Remo-North/Ijebu North, and Ijebu North-East/Ogun Waterside federal constituencies.
Chief Pegba Otemolu was unanimously appointed to represent the Remo Federal Constituency. Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North-East Federal Constituency appointed Chief Dr. Rasheed Adenusi, while Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside appointed Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka to fill the vacancies left by their late members.