The Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, Professor Oluwole Banjo, on Wednesday, disclosed that one of the darkest moments for the first University of Education in Nigeria was a move by the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun to scrap the institution.
Tribune Online recall that Amosun’s administration in 2012 announced its decision to scrap the institution in an effort to reduce the number of tertiary institutions funded by the government.
The former governor later rescinded his decision by making the University an Institute of Education under Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, also owned by the state government.
Professor Banjo, while addressing journalists at the Senate Chamber of the University, said the entire university system was happy that the move did not see the light of day.
The VC said, “I want to tell you that nobody would see his growing child being attacked by a wolf.
“The father looking at that would be very sad, and that was exactly what happened when that thing was on when they wanted to scrap the university. We all know that this is the first of its kind in the country and the 8th in the world.
“We wonder how someone can just wake up in the morning and want to kill the vision that many people are looking up to. However, with the help of many well-meaning people in society, with fasting and prayers, we were able to overcome that, and that is why we are happy to be celebrating what God has given to us.
“I also want to say that the time when the move was made to scrap the university was our darkest moment. We have never seen anything as terrible as that since then, but we are glad that it is now in the past and the university has continued to flourish.”
He noted that the University, in the last two decades of its existence, had continued to metamorphose from a fledgling institution to a vibrant hub of academic excellence.
Professor Banjo added, “The future of TASUED is bright. I envision a future where we are not merely a leading university of education in Nigeria but a globally recognised institution, renowned for its academic excellence, its innovative teaching methodologies, and its transformative impact on society.
“Let us, therefore, renew our commitment to this noble mission. Let us work together, with dedication and perseverance, to build a brighter future for TASUED, a future where we continue to educate the educators who will shape the destiny of our nation and inspire generations to come.”
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