Some indigenes of Ogbomoso in Oyo State have kicked against the planned relocation of the faculty of agriculture at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso to Iseyin.
The indigenes registered their grievances during a protest on Tuesday.
LAUTECH is one of the tertiary educational institutions owned by the Oyo State government.
Recently, Governor Seyi Makinde established a campus of the University at Iseyin, one of the cities in Oke Ogun geo-political zone of the state.
The Iseyin campus is billed to house the faculty of agriculture and is expected to commence academic activities in May this year.
Ogbomoso indigenes among whom are students, artisans, traders and commercial motorcyclists have, however, staged a protest to kick against the planned relocation.
The protest which commenced in the early hours of Tuesday was led by members of the Federation of Ogbomoso Students Union (FOGSU) LAUTECH chapter.
The protesters who stationed themselves at the entrance of the university on Tuesday blocked the main gate of the university.
Placards bearing various inscriptions were carried to drum home their grouses.
Some of the placards read, “Gov Seyi Makinde, give Iseyin new faculty not relocation to Iseyin”, “Say no to the relocation of faculty of agriculture Ogbomoso, say no to the destruction of the economy of Ogbomosoland.”
FOGSU President LAUTECH chapter, Olarinde Muyideen Olamide told newsmen that the indigenes of Ogbomoso are not against any development in the state.
He advised the state government to begin new faculties at Iseyin, instead of moving the existing ones from Ogbomoso to Iseyin.
He said, “We are having a peaceful protest this morning concerning the issue of relocation of faculty of agriculture LAUTECH to Iseyin.
“We are not against development in any other part of the state, what we are just saying is that moving the faculty of agriculture out of LAUTECH will cause more damage than good. What about all facilities tailored towards agriculture already in LAUTECH? Most of that will go to waste or require extra money to reconfigure.
“So, let them begin entirely new faculties at Iseyin whether agriculture or any other.
“But moving an existing one in LAUTECH should not be contemplated. We are pleading with the government.”