Barely five years after it sent a visitation panel to her only polytechnic, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, the Ondo State Government has again inaugurated another visitation panel to the institution.
This time around the visitation panel was, among other terms, urged to look at the possibility of coming up with a new law for the polytechnic, in view of the federal government’s policy, which is geared towards scrapping the HND degree.
The polytechnic has over the years been battling with various challenges, chief of which is the non-payment of salaries of workers, which has resorted to series of industrial actions.
In a bid to revitalizing the institution, the Government at the weekend, said it is sending the visitation panel to the Owo-based institution with a seven-point agenda.
In a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, and obtained by Precision Online Newspaper, the Visitation Panel is to examine the performance of the Polytechnic’s management and also determine the extent of its compliance with the recommendations of the 2017 Visitation Panel as contained in the Government White Paper.
The members are:
i. Prof. Olabode Kolade Koriko — Chairman
ii. Prof. Tomola Obamuyi — Member
iii. Prof. Francis Gbore — Member
iv. Mr. Dapo Adelegan — Member
v. Sir Patrick Tayo Adedapo-Aisida — Member
vi. Engr. David Omoregie — Member
vii. Dr. Olumide Asere Ag. Permanent Secretary — Secretary
The Terms of Reference of the Visitation Panel are as follows:
i. To examine the extent of compliance with the recommendations of the 2017 Visitation Panel Report by the Management of the Polytechnic as contained in the Government White Paper;
ii. To review the Law establishing the Polytechnic, determine the future of the Polytechnic in line with Federal Government’s policy regarding scrapping of HND Programmes, and suggest amendments to the law;
iii. to examine the financial management of the Polytechnic including subventions, grants, loans, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and determine the compliance of the Polytechnic with appropriate regulations;
iv. To examine the compliance of the Polytechnic with extant regulations and due process in the recruitment and deployment of staff;
v. To examine industrial relations amongst management, staff and Students and recommend ways to achieving lasting peace and Harmony;
vi. To examine the state of the landed property and other assets of the Polytechnic; and
vii. To make such other recommendations that can assist in repositioning the Polytechnic for optimal performance.
The Panel has three months to submit its report with effect from the date of Its inauguration.
Story written and edited by Olusegun Hakeem Adebumiti.