Osun upgrades 44-year-old College of Education, Ilesa to full-fledged university 

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola on Thursday announced the upgrading of the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa to a full-fledged university.

The governor said the decision was arrived having painstakingly and carefully examined the request made by prominent sons and daughters of Ijesaland.

Speaking during the inauguration and handing-over of the Ijesaland Geriatric Centre, to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, Oyetola said he has engaged one of the nation’s best corporate consultants, KPMG, to work out the sustainability plan of the upgrade. 

The announcement by the governor was greeted with wild jubilation among the Ijesa people.Oyetola said:

Oyetola said the Geriatric centre was funded and built by prominent Ijesa sons and daughters through the Ijesa Health is Wealth Project. 

“I am indeed highly delighted to join you, distinguished Ijesa sons, daughters and well-wishers at home and in the diaspora, on this historic occasion of the inauguration of the Ijesaland Geriatric Centre, which is a product of the magnanimity of the Ijesa people through the Ijesa Health is Wealth Project. 

“This Centre is another testament to the generosity and abiding passion of the great Ijesa people to add value to the lives of our people through the contribution of salient needs. 

“For this, on behalf of the government and the good people of Osun, I would like to express deepest gratitude to the people of Ijesaland and particularly thank our highly-revered Royal Father, His Imperial Majesty, Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Aromolaran, for his inspiring and productive leadership. 

“Today, there are over nine million Nigerians who are sixty years old and above, but it has been estimated that by 2030, over 20 million Nigerians will be 60 years old and above. 

“In the same vein, it has been estimated that globally, there will be more adults over the age of sixty than there are adolescents and youths aged 10-12 years by the year 2050.

“The implications of this, is that even if the developing world is not ageing as rapidly as the developed world, we have an opportunity to start putting in place structures that will take care of our older adults today and tomorrow. 

“Considering our nation’s growing aged population and the absence of the requisite medical care for our senior citizens, this project is certainly excellently well-thought-out and has definitely come to fill a much-needed void.”

Responding, the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Chief Yinka Fasuyi appreciated the governor for heeding to their age-long request saying the governor will continue to enjoy the support of Ijesa people.

“We appreciate you for heeding to our age-long prayers of upgrading a 44 years College of Education to a full-fledged university. 

“You have honoured us and God will continue to honour you. You have listened to our requests, our overdue agitations and God will not forsake you. You have rekindled our hope as Ijesa people and you have made us proud with this declaration. 

“You shall continue to be celebrated. I want to assure you that Ijesaland shall vote massively beyond your imagination in return of your kind gesture to us,” he said.