The Ondo State House of Assembly has begun consideration of a bill seeking to convert the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, into the Rufus Giwa University of Agriculture, Science and Technology.
The proposed institution is expected to broaden access to university education and strengthen training and research in agriculture, science, technology and other fields considered relevant to the development of the state and the country.
The Assembly’s Committee on Tertiary Institutions held a public hearing on the proposed legislation on Tuesday in Akure, with stakeholders from the education sector, traditional institutions, government and the general public invited to examine the bill and make recommendations.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji, represented at the hearing by his deputy, Mr Ololade Gbegudu, said the proposed university would expand specialised higher education and contribute to human capital development in Ondo State.
Oladiji urged participants to make constructive submissions, noting that their observations would assist the legislature in developing an effective legal and administrative framework for the proposed institution.
The chairman of the committee, Mr Chris Ayebusiwa, described the public hearing as a crucial step towards the establishment of the university. He said converting the polytechnic would create an opportunity to develop an institution capable of responding to emerging educational, scientific and developmental needs.
Ayebusiwa encouraged stakeholders to freely express their concerns, criticisms and suggestions, stressing that their contributions would help the committee formulate legislation that would serve the interests of the institution, the state and its people.
The lawmaker commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for initiating the proposed transformation and acknowledged the support of the Speaker and other members of the Assembly for the process.
The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, backed the proposal, saying Rufus Giwa Polytechnic had contributed significantly to the training of middle-level manpower in Ondo State and Nigeria.
The monarch said the changing demands of the education sector, coupled with declining enrolment at the polytechnic, had made the proposed conversion timely. He added that the Owo traditional institution and other stakeholders had held consultations on the matter and were satisfied that their concerns were reflected in the bill.
Oba Ogunoye expressed optimism that the Assembly would give the bill proper consideration and facilitate the emergence of a university capable of attracting students while promoting teaching, learning and research.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, also commended Aiyedatiwa for his commitment to the proposed transformation, saying its impact would extend beyond Owo.
Ajibefun noted that a university focused on agriculture, science and technology could contribute significantly to the educational and economic development of Ondo State and Nigeria.
He explained that the inclusion of “Agriculture, Science and Technology” in the proposed name was deliberate, saying the broad description would allow the institution to accommodate diverse academic programmes.
