Practical knowledge key to Nigeria’s growth-Ondo Assembly
By Elizabeth Oyeniwa
The Ondo State House of Assembly has emphasised that the practical application of scientific and technical knowledge is key to fast-tracking Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
This was the central message during a visit by the House Committee on Tertiary Institutions, led by Hon. Chris Ayebusiwa, to Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO).
Speaking on behalf of the chairman, the committee’s Vice Chairman, Hon. Raymond Daodu, said the visit was aimed at reiterating the commitment of the 10th Assembly to the institution’s progress and to ensure successes are consistently recorded.
Hon. Daodu, who delivered the committee chairman’s message, commended the Acting Rector, Mr. Olorunwa Adegun, and his management team for their strides in repositioning the polytechnic. He assured that lawmakers will continue to support the institution to achieve its goals, urging staff, management, and students to sustain peace and work as a team.
He also highlighted areas requiring attention such as the academic calendar, workforce welfare, security, student welfare, monthly subvention, and internally generated revenue, stressing that the committee would monitor developments closely.
Other Members on the visit including Honourables.Tope Agbulu and Hon.Abiola Oladapo recalled past crises in the institution and demanded clarification on whether the issues had been fully resolved. They also sought explanations on the polytechnic’s participation in PECOM, a contributory pension scheme for retirees, noting the challenges faced by pensioners in accessing benefits.
Members further expressed concerns about poor maintenance of existing facilities and urged the management to prioritise regular upkeep to preserve infrastructure. On student discipline, they advocated the enforcement of a dress code for first-year students to maintain moral and educational standards.
Welcoming the lawmakers, Acting Rector, Mr. Simon Olorunwa Adegun, expressed gratitude for the Assembly’s support and reaffirmed the institution’s vision to be first among equals in technical and vocational education in Nigeria.
Adegun highlighted some achievements, including the maintenance of peace and industrial harmony throughout 2024, hosting of a climate change conference, and an excursion of 35 students and 15 staff members to IIT Ibadan for skill enhancement.
He revealed that RUGIPO, in collaboration with Agri-Mall, had commenced clearing 50 hectares of land for agricultural development. He also announced that TETFUND had approved funding for four new hostels,two each for male and female students as well as an innovative hall project.
On staff welfare, the Rector disclosed that the polytechnic had cleared salary arrears spanning over 30 months within 24 months, while also settling backlog of awards and arrears dating back to 2017.
Adegun added that RUGIPO recently re-opened its staff school, shut since 2018, which has already enrolled over 40 pupils. He further revealed that three students won engineering awards while a lecturer was honoured as the best engineer in Ondo State for 2025.
He assured the committee that the management remained committed to producing practically-oriented graduates through faculty-based examinations, CBT adoption, and innovative research programmes.
The lawmakers promised to sustain collaboration with the institution to enhance teaching, research, infrastructure, and student welfare. They pledged to take up identified concerns with relevant authorities to ensure Rufus Giwa Polytechnic continues to play its role in producing skilled manpower for Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
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