•Governor vows to sustain education reforms, upgrade staff school
By Duchess Ifeoluwa
Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has announced the complete clearance of the backlog of salary arrears owed to workers of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, marking the end of percentage salary payments in state-owned tertiary institutions.
Speaking on Saturday at the combined 12th–23rd convocation ceremony of the polytechnic, the governor disclosed that his administration had cleared 10 out of the 13 months’ arrears inherited from previous administrations and had approved payment of the remaining three months.
Aiyedatiwa described the era of part-payment of salaries as “a dark and painful chapter” for workers in the institution, affirming that such hardship would not be allowed to recur under his watch.
He expressed dismay that the institution last held a convocation in 2013, adding that he had directed the management to ensure the backlog was immediately resolved. He commended the Acting Rector and management for restoring the ceremony after 12 years.
The governor said that upon assuming office, salary arrears were the major setback confronting the institution.
“Realising that no meaningful teaching and learning can take place where workers are owed humongous salaries, we took decisive action,” he stated.
Aiyedatiwa explained that the government approved Special Intervention Funds on three occasions to offset part of the backlog, and further increased monthly subventions to the polytechnic, a gesture extended to other state-owned tertiary institutions.
He praised staff and student unions for choosing dialogue over industrial action during the crisis, and assured that reports of past administrative injustices were being reviewed to ensure fairness.
Reiterating his commitment to repositioning education in the state, the governor said work had commenced on transforming Rufus Giwa Polytechnic into a University of Agriculture and Agro-Business.
He also urged tertiary institutions to focus on entrepreneurship and innovation to boost internally generated revenue.
The Acting Rector, Mr Olorunwa Adegun, described the pre-intervention period as one of “hopelessness and hardship,” with workers earning as little as five percent of their salaries.
He commended the governor’s leadership, noting recent successes including accreditation of 68 programmes, reopening of the staff school and resumption of convocation ceremonies.
During the event, Governor Aiyedatiwa was conferred with an honorary fellowship of the institution and inaugurated several infrastructural projects on campus.
