By _ Babatunde Kaka & Ronny Ikpoto
The Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Epe Division, His Royal Eminence, Oba Olukayode Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, Telade IV, on Tuesday, 3rd August 2021, made a fervent case for the establishment of University of Education, Lagos (UNEDLAG) in Epe.
Alara, since his coronation as Telade IV, has been at the tip of the spear in driving socio-economic and socio-political change not only in Ilara Kingdom, but Epe Division at large.
The charismatic monarch, in only his first year as King, has attracted the patronage of both national and international dignitaries which include His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife as well as Mr Jerome Pasquier, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, just to mention a few.
Oba Ogunsanwo, while addressing stakeholders present at the public hearing organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly on a Bill for a Law to make provisions for the establishment of UNEDLAG, argued salient facts why it is only germane to situate the proposed varsity in Epe Division.
The Bill, as gathered by Eko Hot Blog, has the prime purpose of transmuting the existing Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Noforija Epe and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), to a single entity, University of Education, Lagos.
However, a conflict of interest was lodged by the Oloto of Awori, Oba Olanrewaju, who insisted for the University of Education to be sited at the Badagry area of Lagos.
Oba Folarin, who represented all Royal Fathers in Epe Division, in his proposition, said that with the abundance of land available in Epe, the take off-site for the university should be situated in the division.
The monarch also referenced the fact that the geographical contiguity of the University of Lagos (LASU) to AOCOED would have a significant impact on traffic along the LASU-Ojo corridor.
“Today history is being made. I’m speaking on behalf of all royal fathers in the Epe division. The proposed university is deepening the third pillar of the THEMES agenda of the State Governor. Education is the best legacy we can bequeath to our children,” Oba Olufolarin stated.
“It is right for the university to be sited in MOCPED Epe, It is difficult to have two universities along the same corridor.
His Royal Majesty, who also noted that the NCE certificate was fast becoming grossly insufficient in today’s dispensation, noted that the serene atmosphere in Epe Division would provide the enabling environment for varsity students to flourish in their academic enterprise.
“There is a sizeable expanse of land in Epe. This will provide befitting structures and allow students to study in a conducive atmosphere. I urge the government to look at this side,” Oba Ogunsanwo added.
Oba Ogunsanwo’s argument is hinged on the fact that citing the proposed University of Education at Ijanikin as contested by conflicting interests would only exacerbate the traffic situation along the LASU-Ojo axis, while consequently robbing Epe Division of its potential of habouring a tertiary institution in the state, an obvious lopsidedness, all things considered.
Alara’s position, simply put, supports a general countenance among the people that despite its huge tourism potentials, Epe Division has often been shortchanged with regard to infrastructural development.
With its immense aquatic potentials, good coastal roads, a seaport, the free trade zone, as well as other developments in the offing like the proposed six-lane expressway, an airport in the pipeline, the proposed toll gate and a trailer park; Epe Division, without doubt, boasts of all the right accoutrements to become the economic hub of Lagos State.
Therefore, Alara, in his argument, believes that it would be in the best interest of the state to break open its untapped potentials by situating the proposed institution in the Division.
Reacting, the Oloto of Awori, Oba Olanrewaju warned the State Government not to entertain any form of conflicting interests, insisting that Badagry division had been calling for the upgrade of AOCOED for more than twenty years.
Oba Olanrewaju appealed to the State Government not to scuttle the hopes of the Badagry people, arguing that the take off-site should be situated in Ijanikin.
Speaking on the Bill, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Education, Tokunbo Wahab said the establishment of the institution was in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES agenda, noting that certificates of Colleges of education and Polytechnics have become disused.
He further stated that the certificates were modeled after the system designed by Colonial Masters who have since remodeled their educational system to agree with the contemporary demands of the society.
Wahab also explained that the Lagos State University is not capable of accommodating all courses of education, which prompts the need to establish the University of education in the State.
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With regard to accommodation, Wahab said the Bill is designed to make the institution residential, adding that plans have been perfected to enable the school erect hostels.
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