Funmilayo Akinyemi/Akure
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has approved the upgrade and conversion of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIPO), Owo, to a University of Agriculture and Agribusiness.
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Chief press secretary of the Governor, made this known in a statement posted on his Facebook.
Adeniyan said the development followed a review of the initial proposal to upgrade the Polytechnic to a University of Management Science and Technology, which was proposed by the State Government under the previous administration.
The newly-upgraded institution, he noted, will serve as a model for the State Government’s agric and food security revolution initiative.
He added that a committee will be set up to oversee the implementation of the conversion, ensuring a seamless transition for current students and staff.
In addition to the upgrade, the State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a private investor, AgroMall Discovery and Extension Limited, to inject ₦15 billion into a youth-oriented agriculture initiative.
Known as, the Young Ranchers Agricultural Cluster Development Programme, the project will focus on practical farming and training for young people and students in agriculture-related operations.
The programme will utilize five hectares of land in each of the three clusters in the state, with three higher institutions, including the newly upgraded RUGIPO, serving as host pilot beneficiaries.
Each of these institutions will also receive a percentage of the proceeds from the programme.
In a related development, Governor Aiyedatiwa has approved another MoU with BBA Consult, to develop and deploy a secured ICT system to enhance the State resources planning and management system towards increasing revenue generation.
“The agreement, which aims to reform the internally generated revenue profile of the State, will be on a Build, Operate and Teansfer basis,” Adeniyan said.
