The Ondo State House of Assembly has commenced legislative consideration of a Bill seeking to transform Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, into the Rufus Giwa University of Agriculture, Science and Technology.
The proposed university is expected to expand access to university education while providing a platform for training and research in agriculture, science, technology and other disciplines relevant to Nigeria’s development.
The Assembly’s Committee on Tertiary Institutions held a public hearing on the bill on Tuesday in Akure, providing stakeholders from the education sector, traditional institutions, government and the general public an opportunity to examine and make contributions to the proposed legislation.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Ololade Gbegudu, said the proposed university would contribute to the expansion of specialised higher education and human capital development in the state.
He urged stakeholders to make constructive contributions to the bill, saying their observations and recommendations would assist the assembly in developing an effective legal and administrative framework for the institution.
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Chris Ayebusiwa, described the public hearing as a significant stage in the process of establishing the university.
Ayebusiwa said the transformation of the polytechnic would provide an opportunity to build an institution capable of responding to changing educational, scientific and developmental needs.
He encouraged stakeholders to freely express their views, criticisms and suggestions.
He added that their contributions would help the committee to produce legislation that would serve the interests of the institution, the state and its people.
The lawmaker commended Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for initiating the proposed transformation and acknowledged the support of the speaker and members of the Assembly towards the process.
The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, expressed support for the proposed university, saying the polytechnic had played an important role in producing middle-level manpower for the state and Nigeria.
Oba Ogunoye said the changing demands of the education sector and declining student enrolment at the polytechnic made the proposed upgrade timely.
He said the people of Owo and the traditional institution had engaged stakeholders on the proposed transformation and were satisfied that their concerns had been reflected in the bill.
Oba Ogunoye expressed confidence that the assembly would give the bill due consideration and facilitate the emergence of an institution capable of attracting students and advancing learning and research.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, commended Aiyedatiwa for his commitment to the proposed transformation.
Ajibefun said the benefits of the upgrade would extend beyond Owo, noting that a university with a focus on agriculture, science and technology could contribute to the educational and economic development of the state and the country.
The commissioner also explained the rationale behind the proposed name, saying “Agriculture, Science and Technology” was broad enough to accommodate a wide range of academic programmes.