…vows to sustain education reforms in Ondo State
By Fisayo Akinduro
Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has declared an end to the era of percentage salary payment in the state, assuring workers of his administration’s commitment to prompt and full salary payment across all state-owned institutions.
The governor made the declaration on Saturday during the combined 12th–23rd convocation ceremony of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, where he announced that his government had cleared 10 months out of the 13-month salary arrears inherited from previous administrations and had approved the payment of the remaining three months’ arrears.
Aiyedatiwa described the era of percentage salary as a dark and painful chapter in the history of the institution and the state workforce, saying his administration would never allow such hardship to resurface.
“The era of percentage salary in Ondo State is gone,” he declared emphatically to a loud ovation from the staff, students and guests at the convocation ceremony.
He recalled, “The polytechnic, established in 1979 by the first civilian governor of the state, the late Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin, was founded to produce middle-level manpower for technological advancement and national development.
“Let me first acknowledge and commend the late sage and visionary, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, for his efforts at midwifing this institution. The Sunshine State and indeed, Nigeria will forever remain proud of him. It gladdens my heart that today, there are several products of this Polytechnic who have distinguished themselves in various areas of human endeavour across the globe.”
The governor noted that while it is not unusual for tertiary institutions to face challenges, the situation at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic had become disturbing, with its inability to hold a convocation ceremony for over a decade.
“We were visibly disturbed to learn that the last time this institution held a convocation was in 2013.
“I made it clear that it was unacceptable and directed that the situation be remedied immediately. While commending the Acting Rector and his management team for acting promptly, such must never be allowed to happen again,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa stated that upon assuming office as Acting Governor and later substantive Governor, the most daunting challenge confronting the polytechnic was the backlog of 13 months’ salary arrears.
“Realising that no meaningful teaching and learning could take place in a tertiary institution where workers are owed humongous salaries, our administration took decisive steps to address the challenge.
“In three separate instances, we approved and released Special Intervention Funds for the payment of outstanding salaries for three months,” he stated.
He further explained that the government observed that the use of varying percentages in salary payment was responsible for the accumulation of unpaid wages.
“The State Government took another step by approving a substantial increase in the monthly subvention for the Polytechnic, as applicable to other state-owned tertiary institutions, effective from January 2024. To the glory of God, it is gratifying that Rufus Giwa Polytechnic now pays full salaries to its workers,” he added.
Aiyedatiwa commended the patience and understanding of both students and staff, especially the three workers’ unions of the polytechnic, for opting for dialogue instead of strikes while the government worked on addressing the crisis.
He remarked, “Your patriotic resolve to choose constructive engagement instead of rancorous industrial action remains commendable. Our promise regarding offsetting unpaid salaries, which has been substantially fulfilled, is sacrosanct. We will continue to demonstrate sincerity of purpose.”
He also acknowledged reports of alleged administrative injustices in the past and said the state had begun reviewing such cases to ensure fairness, justice and equity.
“This also informed the directive for the reopening of the institution’s Staff School. I am delighted that full compliance with that directive has been effected. Shutting down the staff schools had the negative effect of disabling the Polytechnic from meeting its Corporate Social Responsibility to Owo Kingdom and Ondo State in general,” he added.
The governor reiterated his administration’s determination to reposition education in the state and challenged tertiary institutions to focus on producing job creators rather than job seekers.
“Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, is strategically placed to pursue this vision. We expect every student to acquire skills and innovations that would stand them in good stead to pursue a vocation after graduation. I challenge the management to pursue this vision with integrity, vigour, and patriotism,” he said.
Speaking on the planned transformation of the institution, Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his government’s commitment to upgrading Rufus Giwa Polytechnic to a full-fledged University of Agriculture and Agro-Business, assuring that the implementation process was underway.
“We are unrelenting in our efforts to commence the implementation of this project. We are doing everything necessary, and we have God’s assurance on this laudable initiative,” the governor assured.
He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for infrastructural development support, while urging alumni, corporate bodies, and philanthropists to complement government efforts.
Aiyedatiwa noted, “As a 45-year old institution, the Alumni Association of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, must rise to support its alma mater. The time to give back to your institution is now.”
The governor also encouraged all tertiary institutions in the state to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship to expand their internally generated revenue base.
“You must look inwards through business ventures without compromising academic integrity. This will complement government subventions and ensure sustainability,” he said.
The governor, however, reaffirmed that his administration’s approval of the remaining three months’ salary arrears would be implemented promptly and promised to upgrade the institution’s staff school to modern standards.
In his remarks, the Acting Rector, Mr Olorunwa Adegun, commended the governor’s interventions, describing the period before his emergence as one of hopelessness and hardship.
“Before Your Excellency came on board, workers were owed 13 months’ salary arrears, and some received as low as five per cent. The hardship led to deaths and low morale among staff. But your intervention has changed the story,” Adegun said.
He listed the accreditation of 68 academic programmes, reopening of the staff schools, and funding of the long-delayed convocation as proof of the governor’s responsive leadership.
Similarly, the Alumni President, who is also a member of the institution’s Governing Council, described the event as the rebirth of academic culture at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, pledging continued collaboration with the state government to sustain the progress achieved.
The convocation, attended by top government officials, parents, staff and graduands, was marked by joy and renewed confidence in the institution’s future.