By Kazeem Badmus
INDIGENES and residents of of Ila-Orangun, the headquarters of Ila Local Government Council of the State of Osun, trooped out massively on Tuesday to celebrate the establishment of Federal University of Medical Sciences in the ancient town.
Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, through the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Sonny Ochono, had on Monday announced the establishment of four specialised universities, out of which two are universities of medical sciences.
According to him, the huge gap in doctor-patient ratio, as well as in medical research and production of pharmaceutical products, compels the need for the establishment of the universities.
Aside the one sited in Ila-Orangun, State of Osun, the other in its category is situated in Azare in Bauchi State. The other two specialized universities are in the category of university of technology and are sited in Jigawa and Akwa Ibom states.
Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Oyedotun described the announcement of the siting of the university in his domain as an unexpected favour, adding that the ancient town had been agitating for the establishment of a Federal University since pre-1990.
Oba Wahab, who commended President Muhammad Buhari for siting the university in Ila-Orangun, declared his total support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next General Elections.
He said he could not believe when the news first filtered in, until it was confirmed, adding that the university will bring about positive development within the community.
The first class traditional ruler said: “I could not believe it. I was thinking its truth status, until I read it online through my phone. I am thankful to Almighty God and I am very happy and fulfilled right now. We have been agitating for a university of this status since pre-1990.
“When Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) was to be established. The entire Ila-Orangun contributed a lot, hoping that the institution would be sited on our soils, but it was taken to Ogbomoso town and since then, we have not relented.
“The economy of this town will change drastically, as people will come from the Diasporas to establish their industries here and traders will also benefit a lot.
The monarch also eulogised the former National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande for his contribution towards situating the university in the town.
He said: “I really appreciate the Federal Government for this kind gesture. Also, Chief Bisi Akande has not relented and has been there for us. He is a strong man and I want the people to appreciate him by voting APC in the next General Elections.
“We are going to support APC in this town because the ruling party has earned our votes now with the establishment of this university”.
Also speaking, the Elemona of Ila, High Chief R.A Adedapo, said the university will contribute immensely to the economic development of Ila community, its environs and State of Osun in general, just as he applauded the Federal Government for the gesture.
In his own reaction, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Mr. Aderemi Adekeye, renounced his membership of the PDP and instantaneously joined the All Progressives Congress, hinging his decision on the newly-sited university.
He said: “I am a member of PDP in Ila-Orangun, but with what happened today, I renounce my membership of the party because I am very happy with what the APC has done for us in this community. My family and I are now going to join Chief Bisi Akande’s party”.
