Adeleke commissions Rehabilitated Cooperative College, Ode-Omu
By Olawale Olalekan
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State was on Wednesday, commissioned the newly rehabilitated Osun State Cooperative College Ode-Omu, saying his administration has rejuvenated grassroot economy in the state.
Adeleke said the college now wear a new look through upgrading and rehabilitation for effective and conducive learning environment.
He recalled that the college was established in 1992 by his brother, the first executive governor of the state, senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke. The college over the years has produced royal fathers, technocrats, cooperative consultants, hoteliers and business tycoons.
According to him, the college was neglected for over 12 years by former All Progressive Congress administration. The college was in state rotting which slowdown academic activities in the college.
“I have issued directive that the college should be upgraded to university awarding institution in affliation to Osun State University. The process is ongoing. Our administration has supported cooperative movement in the state at the grassroot level to boost the state economy.
“Our vision in empowering the grassroot people and the economy has been yielding fruitful results. Another sum 500 million naira has been approved for disbursement. This college is named as “Adetunji Adeleke Cooperative College, Ode-Omu”.
The governor also named the college hall after Alhaji Ademola Rasaq, Landero.
In his address, Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment, Prince Bayo Ogungbangbe said, the newly rehabilitated and upgraded college stands as a beacon of progress and a testament to our commitment to cooperative education and empowerment.
He noted that the project exemplifies our administration’s dedication to educational advancement, skill development and economic empowerment through cooperative societies.
He averred that the transformation of this institution is not merely about bricks and mortar but government investment in human capital, faith in the cooperative movement as we are laying the foundation for a new generation of cooperative leaders who would drive economic growth and community development across the state.
According to him, when I visited the college, the institution was in a state of total neglect, overgrown with bushes and trees, its buildings unapproachable, the entire environment was in conducive for learning. This sorry state was the result of 12 years of misrule by the previous APC administration which allowed this once-proud institution to fall into ruin.
“The present administration within two years has breathed new life into this institution. This is a complete transformation of learning environment equipped with modern amenities. This turnaround is a testament to our administration commitment to education and determination to right the wrongs of the past
“The college has been elevated to award Higher National Diploma certificates, a substantial upgrade from its previous status of awarding Ordinary National Diploma certificates. This advancement will soon come into effect, marking a new era in cooperative education in our state.
“Graduates from this institution will now be better positioned to make significant contributions to the cooperative sector and broader economy of the state.
Ogungbangbe stated further that the ministry has disbursed loans totaling 550 million naira to Ward Cooperatives across all 332 wards in the state, benefiting 11,952 individuals across economic activities, adding that the sum of 500 million naira to conventional registered Cooperative Societies in the state and 50 million naira loans to Osun indigenes in Abuja.
“As we commissioned this upgraded Cooperative College, now poised to offer Higher National Diploma programs. We reaffirm our dedication to advanced education, enhanced skill development, and strengthening the cooperative movement”, he said.
Also, the chairman of the commissioning, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Cooperatives and Empowerment, Hon. Durojaye Isaac described the commissioning of the rehabilitated cooperative college as a milestone in the history of the host communities and the state, saying the institution is now better positioned.
He therefore urged the people of Ayedaade local government to support the institution to grow and compete globally.
