The National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), South West, Dr Abayomi Arabambi, has faulted the reported decision of the Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED) to honour Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, arguing that the governor has made no verifiable contribution to the institution to warrant such recognition.
Arabambi, in a statement issued on Friday, insisted that TASFUED remains the singular legacy of former Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), whose administration conceived, established and sustained the university despite stiff resistance at the time.
“There is no TASFUED without OGD. That is a historical fact. The question now is simple: what exactly has Governor Dapo Abiodun contributed to TASUED to deserve any form of honour?”Arabambi said.
The Labour Party chieftain accused the Abiodun administration of failing to record any landmark intervention at the institution since assuming office, noting that the university continues to face infrastructural decay, funding challenges, staff welfare issues and an unconducive learning environment.
“Under this administration, TASFUED has not witnessed any transformative intervention, expansion or legacy-driven policy support. On what moral or academic basis, therefore, is this honour being conferred?” he queried.
Arabambi described the planned honour as politically motivated, warning that academic institutions must not be drawn into what he termed “image laundering” or deployed as tools for political validation.
“Universities are centres of truth, history and intellectual integrity, not platforms for political propaganda. Honours must be earned through measurable impact, not political convenience”, he said.
He further cautioned that celebrating leaders without demonstrable contributions undermines the credibility of academic institutions and diminishes the sacrifices of those who laboured to build them from inception.
Calling on the management and stakeholders of TASFUED to protect the institution’s historical integrity, Arabambi urged them to resist any pressure capable of distorting its foundational narrative for short-term political considerations.
“OGD’s legacy in TASFUED is visible, permanent and undeniable. Until Governor Abiodun can point to a clear, lasting and measurable contribution to the growth of the university, any attempt to honour him remains unjustified”, he added.
