PanNigerianNews 
By Ben ADEPOJU
The idea of starting a private university of Ogbomoso in September 2024 was hatched today as various communities in the zone joined eminent personalities in an education summit organised by Ogbomoso Academics in conjunction with Ogbomoso Community Youth Forum (OCYF).
At the event tagged “Ogbomoso Education Summit” and held at Ogbomoso Recreation Club, at the instance of eminent scholars, business executives, associations, there were different lectures presented by eminent scholars, including the acting Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Prof. Rasaq Olatunde ROM Kalilu, delivered by Prof. Musbaudeen Abdul-Hameed of LAUTECH’s Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
Other lectures at the were delivered by the Vice Chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole; Prof. (Mrs) Alice Jekayinfa; Prof. Kayode Oyewumi; Dr Adeniyi Adetunji; President of Ogbomoso Community Youth Forum (OCYF), Revd Peter Olaleye.
Among others, a former military governor of Oyo and Ogun states, Gen. Oladayo Popoola (rtd) and Dr Saka Balogun were also present.
Speaking to newsmen in Ogbomoso, the President of Ogbomoso Parapo Worldwide and Chief host at the summit, Justice Afolabi Adeniran (rtd), said the idea of having a private university was over due, saying that it is belittling to say that Ogbomoso does not have any private university.
Adeniran, who called on Ogbomoso indigenes across the globe to contribute their quota, recounted the state of education in Ogbomoso over 70 years when there was no secondary school in Ogbomoso and its environs, leading to the establishment of Ogbomoso Grammar School in 1952.
Adeniran said, “Don’t you think it is wrong for Ogbomoso as large as it is not have a private university? It is a very good idea and we have been dreaming of that for a long time.
“Up till 1952, there was no secondary school. Just like we met today, the meeting led to the establishment of Ogbomoso Grammar School, Oke Paaku, Ogbomoso. In the same way, we want to have a university of our own. LAUTECH belongs to Oyo State. When the state government decided to move LAUTECH’s Faculty of Agriculture to Iseyin, could we stop them?
“Oyo, very near here, has many. Offa, in Kwara State has private university.”
Adeniran, who maintained that the journey of a thousand miles starts with a leg, added, “Afe Babalola started his own and it became a full-fledged university recognised internationally. When we start, we move.
“The advantages that Ogbomoso will derive from it is unquantifiable. It will expand the education system. The traders, artisans and son will also benefit.
“I do not forsee any hundrance. Even on money, we are going to contact various individuals.
“What we did today was not a fundraising event. It was only a way of introducing into the idea.”
Similarly, the chairman of Ogbomoso Academics and the host of the summit, Prof. Timothy Olagbenro expressed optimism that the idea would yield the desired fruition.
Olagbenro said, “We have obtained forms from government. We will get approval from Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC); otherwise, we can’t start it.”
Olagbenro hinted that the September 2024 proposed date would depend on how funds are generated for the project.
“If we have about N4 billion, we will conveniently start. So, we will reach out to chairmen of all socio-cultural organisations in Ogbomoso. We’ll look for individuals who will assist us. Then, we go to the general public.”
Prof. Olagbenro, who was reported to have donated his school, Pine Valley High School, as take-off site, said that the community had secured a large expanse of land at Orile-Aipo in Oriire local government area of the state.
Earlier in his speech, the OCYF President, Revd Peter Olaleye, commended the turnout of people and called on all to support the goal of having the University.
Revd Olaleye said, “It will better be done when we all think as one, when we mobilize ourselves to achieve it, when we bring many people on board to see the possibility. Let us cast ourselves in the mould. With faith, we will accomplish it. The destiny of Ogbomoso is to be ahead of its contemporaries This has manifested several times we want to see it manifest in our time too. But it requires our sacrifices, efforts, financial cum moral commitment and belief.
“I am of the conviction that this gathering will deliberate and come up with a workable modality for its accomplishment. Thereafter, we will be able to engineer the proper mobilization chart. One challenge I, meanwhile, want to throw is to let us mobilise ourselves individually first and then we gradually expand to inspire a community to accomplish the noble goal.”
