To reiterate his commitment to workers welfare and respect for the crucial role of workers in governance, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has assured staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO) that he will soon pay all outstanding salaries owed workers of the Institution.
The Visitor to the Institution, gave the assurance on Saturday, 23rd March, 2019, during the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo Alumni Association’s launching of 250 Million Naira endowment fund for the construction of 150 bed space ultramodern hospital facility for the Institution.
According to him, “we knew that workers of RUGIPO are still being owed salaries. I won’t say we are not owing. We are owing, but we would pay very soon”. He further stated that “this is because we understand the crucial role that workers play, hence, our resolve to address this great challenge. We are hoping that very soon, all issues of salaries owed staff of the polytechnic, and civil servants will become a thing of the past.? He further noted that ?it has to be. We just needed some balances. We needed a few of infrastructural development and complete all ongoing projects in the Institution. He commended the Council and Management of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo for making judicious use of the intervention fund his government recently released to the Institution.
The Governor who was the Guest of honour at the event said Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo has come a long way as the first tertiary institution in the old Ondo State. The Governor who called Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo the father of all tertiary institutions in the state noted that Owo is what it is today because of the Polytechnic. He therefore applauded all past and present students and staff of the Institution for their various contributions to Owo.
The Ondo State Governor also charged the Alumni Association of institutions to see themselves as stakeholders in the development of their alma mater. He pointed out that this is what the Alumni of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo is trying to demonstrate. He commended their high sense of responsibility and commitment to the Institution and also their commitment to the welfare of students of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic. He remarked that old students can be a veritable force in the socio-political transformation of the Institution and by extension, the host communities.
He also commended the Chairman of Council, Banji Alabi Esq., for his compassionate love for the Institution and commitment to Owo as a community. He said he was convinced of his commitment to Owo as a community before he appointed him as the Chairman of the Institution?s Governing Council and praised him for proving himself to be a round peg in a round hole.
Earlier in his address at the event, the Acting Rector, Mr. Gani Ogundahunsi thanked the Institution?s proprietor and Visitor for touching Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo and staff in an unprecedented manner and positive way. He also appreciated the Governor for coming in person to add colour and value to the event. In the same vein, he praised the Banji Alabi-led Governing Council for the time, energy and resources invested in the Institution which according to him is already yielding pleasant results.
Meanwhile, the President, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Alumni Association, Elder Tope Omolayo in his address, also thanked the Governor for coming to grace the occasion, for the fund recently released to the Institution and for appointing an alumnus of the Institution, in the person of Banji Alabi Esq. as the Chairman Governing Council of the Polytechnic.
He noted that ?all over the world, alumni associations serve as propellers that drive developments in their alma maters?. He said, this is why the Alumni Association is taking this bold step to build a 150-bed space ultramodern hospital for the Institution to contribute its quota as an Association towards bridging the gap in infrastructural deficits in the Institution. He also stated that this was necessary to be part of the Governing Council?s drive to retool, reposition and reconstruct the Institution toward making it a toast among its peers.
The well attended auspicious launching programme was graced by top government functionaries including the Chief of Staff, Mr. Olugbenga Ale; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro; Mr. Akin Asaniyan (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education); Chief Protocol Officer to the Governor, Mr. Tosin Ogunmodede; House of Representative member elect, Hon. Timilehin Adelegbe and Ondo State House of Assembly member elect, Hon. Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi (aka WEST). Other dignitaries at the event are: Chairman of the occasion, Engr. Dayo Akindoju; Chairman, RUGIPO Alumni Board of Trustee, Prof. Isaac Oluwalana; representative of the Chief Launcher Senator Iyiola Omisore, Dr. Opeyemi Ayadi; representative of Co-Chief Launcher, High Chief (Dr.) Rotimi Ibidapo, Mrs. Alabi; and representative of Dr. Segun Aigbosun, Lady Aigbogun.
Also in attendance were Council members and top Management staff of the Institution including: Prince Andrew Aroloye; Chief (Mrs.) Bosede Osunmakinwa; Mr. Yinka Akinola; Mr. Femi Saint James; the Deputy Rector, Engr. (Dr.) Samuel Alagha; the Acting Registrar, Mr. Sule Atiku; the Bursar, Mr. Matthew Adejuwon; and the Coordinator, Library Services, Mrs. Rachael Aladeniyi.
