Arise Recounts Role in Establishment of FUOYE
Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti Former Senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Senator Ayo Arise, has sought to set the record straight on the establishment of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti
Former Senator Ayo Arise has clarified the origins of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), disputing recent narratives that downplay his role. Arise, who represented Ekiti North between 2007 and 2011, recounted his efforts in securing the university's location in Oye-Ekiti. After President Goodluck Jonathan announced the establishment of six new federal universities in November 2010, Arise wrote to the Minister of Education, requesting a university be built in Oye-Ekiti.
This request was passed on to the Minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi, and later to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the TETFund Chairman. Arise's argument was that Oye-Ekiti possessed the necessary facilities and historical ties to accommodate a federal university. Despite some controversy over Ikole-Ekiti's claim to host the institution, a final decision was made in favor of Oye-Ekiti through a dual-campus arrangement.
Arise emphasized that Dr. Femi Ajayi, although supportive, was not the initiator of the process. He also noted that President Jonathan's longstanding relationship with him and his influential role in the early stages of the project were crucial. Arise urged Ekiti residents to view the university's history objectively and preserve its establishment accurately for future generations.
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