By Samuel Ojo
Let me appreciate the sitting Governor of Ondo – State Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for the good choice he made by appointing Dr. Lawson Olorunwa as the Ag.Rector of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, RUGIPO.
The saying is equally true that a round peg in a round hole will make positive impacts.
Since his appointment, an avalanche of epoch making achievements have been recorded; and in marking his 100 days in office, evidences abound to great changes he has made in recreating a history for Rugipo.
After 100 days in office the incumbent helmsman and his team are navigating other routes for the growth and development of the institution.
A training and re- training for the personnels in the institution is on going. This is a feat that over years have been neglected. Training of personnel enhances productivity and helps the tone of the institution. On this, l give kudos to the present Management.
The fear of God is said to be the beginning of wisdom. Dr.Lawson Sunday Olorunwa just like in the days of Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, has initiated monthly prayers for divine direction.
Besides, other eventful programmes on academics have emerged and a cordial relationship with the union body maintained.
I want to admonish the present Management to keep the flag flying. To sustain the present tempo, l wish to suggest that two grey areas for institutional development that will bring mutual benefits to the institution and host communities must be addressed.
SUSTAIN THE ARTISAN CENTRE
The current policy of the Federal Government is to promote skill acquisition. As if Prof Igbekele Ajibefun saw the future, during his tenure , he established an Artisan Centre in Rugipo
This centre was of immense benefit to the institution and host communities during his time.
Today, the relevance of the centre is no more and you need to re-awaken its usefulness. No ideal institution today should depend absolutely on subvention. This centre, if effectively managed can be one of the good sources for internally revenue generation.
Besides revenue generation, no student should pass out of this technical institution without a skill to reduce unemployment.
UTILISATION OF LAND
The Institution enjoys a good landscape and uncultivated land. The institution also has a Faculty of Agriculture.
The above is an advantage for the institution to embark on aggressive farming. In the days of Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, nothing was wasted. There were fish pond, goatry , piggrry, poultry , cassava, banana, vegetable and palm tree farms. The results of the harvests brought comfort to the workers and students.
Rugipo Artisan Centre offered consultancy services and was brought to the doorstep of all local governments in Ondo State.
The centre had a sub-training centre at Oyemekun Grammar School in Akure, where courses covering so many skills were taught and Diploma certificates awarded after the completion of the six months training.
There are other good initiatives to bring back the fortune of this great lnstitution and with the present management, one is persuaded that Rugipo will bounce back again.
If the legacy of Ajibefun is sustained and improved upon, Rugipo as an institution will be a silicon valley to the Sunshine State and its environs.
– Ojo, a former spokesman of RUGIPO, and a public affairs analyst, writes from Akure
