SAN FRANCISCO, November 11, (THEWILL) – The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for November 26th governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has promised to transform the state University of Technology at Okitipupa, OSUTECH, from what he termed “glorifying secondary school” to an institution of first choice.
Akeredolu, who spoke on Friday at Igbotako when his campaign team visited the palace of the Rebuja of Osoro land, Oba (Dr.) Gbadebo Rebuja, said it is unfortunate that eight years after OSUTECH was established, the institution has yet to produce a graduate.
While pledging to revive the dreams of Agagu for Olokola Free Trade Zone, he regretted that despite its attendant benefits to the state, the Mimiko administration allowed the Dangote Refinery earlier sited at Olokola Free Trade Zone to be relocated to Epe in Lagos State.
“The incumbent governor, my friend, Mimiko claimed to be the closest governor to former President Goodluck Jonathan, yet, under his watch, Alhaji Aliko Dangote through the support of the then Federal government relocated the refinery that Dangote had earlier sited at Olokola to Epe, Lagos due to the failure of Ondo State Government to fulfill her part of the PPP agreement.
“I have studied extensively, the policy paper of Olokola Free Trade Zone. I must confess that l envy those who formulated the concept. If the blue print of Olokola had been aggressively implemented, poverty would have been a history in Ondo State today.
“It is now almost nine years that the University of Technology at Okitipupa was founded by our big brother, Late Agagu, but the institution has not produced a graduate. This is unfortunate and sad. I will correct this injustice when we get there. OSUTECH will become an institution of first choice within two years when we get to office,” he said.
The governorship candidate also disclosed that he has gathered together a consortium of experts and foreign investors that would establish a Coastal Sea Port in Ilaje/Ese Odo council areas of the state which it is targeted at boosting the economy of the state.
“Today, Lagos and Portharcourt Sea Ports are overloaded. They are now congested. We will engage in Public Private Partnership to establish a coastal sea port in Ilaje/Ese Odo council areas which will turn around the economy of this senatorial district and the state in general,” he said.
Oba Bajowa, while responding, described Akeredolu as an encyclopaedia of knowledge. The paramount ruler of Osoro land said a character like Akeredolu is needed in power. He prayed to God to grant Akeredolu and his running mate, Agboola Ajayi their hearts desires.
Aside Igbotako, the headquarters of Osoroland, the Akeredolu campaign team also visited Ijuodo, Ilutitun, Ikoya, Odeaye and Okitipupa, the headquarters of Okitipupa council area.
