Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has announced the approval of a N1.2 billion grant to Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology in Okitipupa to complete some of the campus’s abandoned projects.
Miss Adedayo Janet, the university’s top graduate, would also receive automatic employment, according to the governor.
Aiyedatiwa, who is also a Visitor at the institution, made the revelation during the second convocation ceremony of the government-owned varsity, which took place on Monday on the university’s campus in Okitipupa.
He stated, “I am really delighted to speak this second Convocation. This marks my historic and inaugural attendance as the Visitor to the university, since my assumption of office in the last 69 days.
“I have no doubt that your upcoming School of Maritime Transport and Logistics at Ugbonla which is at 60percent completion by OSOPADEC (Ondo State Oil-producing Areas Development Commission) is very timely and will be of immense advantage to the Ondo State Deep Seaport Project and the development of Blue Economy in the country at large.”
According to the governor, the approval of the N1.2bn capital grant in the 2024 budget to OAUSTECH was for speedy completion of abandoned buildings of the School of Science and others.
He reiterated that the institution’s monthly subvention of N91m would also be given due consideration to enhance the operations of the school.
The governor also vowed to expedite the completion of abandoned hostel buildings supported by the Niger Delta Development Commission and OSOPADEC without further delay.
While congratulating the graduating students on their accomplishment, the Visitor advised them to always make the school, Ondo State, the country, and their parents and guardians proud, no matter where they find themselves in the world.
Earlier, in his welcoming message, the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Adebo Adesomoju, praised Governor Aiyedatiwa for directing the continuation of the institution’s internal road building.
For his remarks at the occasion, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, revealed that 1,202 students were awarded first degrees for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic years.
The don stated, “Overall, we are graduating 1,202 students consisting of 62 students in first class, 527 students in second class upper division, 552 students in second class lower division and 61 students third class division.
“The don stated that the university had transitioned from a teaching university to a research institution, having accomplished much in the field of research, and that certain university workers had previously won N50 million and N250 million in various research initiatives.