Aiyedatiwa approves upgrade, conversion of Rufus Giwa Poly to university

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has approved the upgrade and conversion of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, to a University of Agriculture and Agribusiness.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, who said the review became necessary after the initial proposal for the upgrade of the school.

Adeniyan said the initial proposal was to upgrade the school from a polytechnic to a University of Management Science and Technology under the last administration in the state.

However, he said the Aiyedatiwa government has approved the conversion of the school to a University of Agriculture and Agribusiness upon his assumption of office after inauguration.

According to Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa said the school will be the model for the agriculture and food security revolution initiative of the state government.

The Governor added that a committee will be set up by the government to work out the modalities for the implementation of the conversion.

He assured that this will not have any negative effects on the current students and staff of the institution.

Also, the Governor approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and a private investor on the injection of N15 billion into a youth-oriented agriculture initiative in the state.

Adeniyan said, “The MoU was on an agreement for the establishment and operation of the Young Ranchers Agricultural Cluster Development Programme between the government and AgroMall Discovery and Extension Limited.

“The company will make use of five hectares of land in each of the three clusters in the state, using three higher institutions, including the newly upgraded RUGIPO, as host pilot beneficiaries.

“The initiative will focus on practical farming for young people and practical training for students in agriculture and agric-related operations.

“Aside from training the students, each of the three institutions to be used as hosts also stands to benefit a percentage from the proceeds of the operations.”

In a related development, the state governor, Aiyedatiwa, has approved a Memorandum of Understanding with BBA Consult on the development and deployment of a secured ICT to enhance state resource planning and management systems towards an increase in revenue generation.

This agreement, which aims to reform the internally generated revenue profile of the state, will be on a Build, Operate and Transfer basis.

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