Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has declared that the era of unpaid salaries for workers in the state has come to an end, reaffirming his administration’s resolve to reposition the education sector for greater productivity.
Speaking on Saturday at the combined 12th to 23rd convocation ceremony of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), Aiyedatiwa directed the immediate payment of three months’ outstanding salaries owed to the institution’s workers.
The governor, who serves as the Visitor to the institution, said RUGIPO had been unable to pay staff salaries before he assumed office but that his administration provided special intervention funds to clear accumulated arrears.
He commended both the management and students of the polytechnic for their patience during the difficult period, noting that his government had rescued the institution from total collapse.
According to him, it was worrisome that the last convocation of the institution was held in 2013 — a situation he described as unacceptable for a citadel of learning.
Aiyedatiwa also announced the approval for the renovation of the RUGIPO Staff School and granted the institution’s request for an official vehicle.
The governor further restated his administration’s commitment to upgrading the polytechnic to a University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, saying the move would boost the state’s drive toward technological advancement.
He urged alumni of the institution to contribute to its growth and development by giving back to their alma mater.
Earlier, Acting Rector of the institution, Mr. Olorunwa Adegun, lauded the governor for his decisive intervention through a special fund that cleared the backlog of unpaid salaries.
Adegun recalled that the polytechnic was on the brink of collapse before the governor’s timely action, describing Aiyedatiwa’s leadership as the turning point that broke a 12-year convocation drought.
He noted that RUGIPO, once ranked the best state-owned polytechnic in 2015, had degenerated into a state of near hopelessness until the intervention.
According to him, before the rescue effort, it had become difficult to maintain discipline or industrial harmony within the school community.
The rector also appreciated the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its consistent support in improving infrastructure and capacity building, while commending the alumni association for its contributions to the institution’s progress.
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