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Abuja Chapter of RUGIPO Alumni Association Celebrates 2024 End Of The Year Party, Launches 800 Capacity Student Hostel Project
The Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Alumni Association, Abuja Chapter, in a grand style gathered members home and abroad for the 2024 end of the year party, on Saturday December 14, 2024, at the Society for Engineering Hall, Central Area, Abuja.
The programme kick-started with an opening prayer by the registrar of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Mr. Yemi Suleiman, who prayed for the continuous progress of members of the alumni association, and a successful and fun filled event.
In his opening remark, the chairman, RUGIPO Alumni Association, Abuja Chapter, Otunba (Alhaji) Abubakar Adeshina Omoluabi, said it is a great honour to welcome everyone to the august gathering, adding that he is particularly exhilarated by the members responsiveness to the yearly event.
He appreciated the national president of the association, Engr. (Chief) Adeola Adesina Victor, referring to him as the global leader. He said the president is like a brother who has been supportive of him in carrying out his responsibility as a leader in the association.
Omoluabi specifically recognised the chapter’s grand patron, Engr. Ifedayo Akindoju, appreciating his fatherliness towards the association.
He took the moment to reflect on the works done so far within the year, and said he is honoured to work with the talented and passionate team of executives of the chapter, and added that he is exceptionally appreciative of the fact that the monthly meeting of the Abuja chapter has been consistent and very effective.
Stating some of the achievements of the Abuja chapter, he mentioned that through the alumni’s cooperative society, many members with house rent and other financial challenges have received assistance, harnessing the aims and objectives of the association, one of which is to promote the welfare of members.
He also commended the efforts of the various committees of the 2024 End of the Year Party, for their cooperation, sacrifices, and team work demonstrated to ensure a well planned and successful event.
The Royal Father of the day, His Royal Majesty, Oliyere of Iyere Kingdom, Owo, Oba Omotunde Alaba Adako, delivering his goodwill message, said he is always happy to come around whenever he is being invited for the RUGIPO Alumni event because its members are people of great honour. He mentioned that all the group’s developmental initiatives are things of joy to him, and he would be glad to keep associating himself with them.
He said the people of Iyere Kingdom sent their greetings, praying that God will continue to bless and protect all the alumni members home and abroad, and wished them a happy celebration.
The Executive Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, ably represented by the executive chairman, Akoko North West local government council, Elder Ayodele Akande, delivering his goodwill message, acknowledged the presence of Oba Oliyere of Iyere Kingdom, Owo, Oba Omotunde Alaba Adaku, and saluted all members of RUGIPO Alumni, Abuja chapter especially.
He mentioned that the government of Ondo State is appreciative of the educational development strides of RUGIPO Alumni Association, even as he announced the governor’s approval of the alumni’s request for the renovation of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, and many other education developmental initiatives which will take their full cause in the coming year.
Elder Akande added that Governor Aiyedatiwa is not taking the support he received from the Alumni during the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election for granted, as he promised significant improvement in the education sector of Ondo State, which is already in the forefront of his agenda.
Acting Rector, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIPO), Owo, Pastor Adegun Olorunwa, speaking at the event, announced that the Executive Governor of Ondo State has acceded to his request to break the genre of the institution’s failure to observe convocation for the past eleven years, since 2013 when the last one was done, adding that by the grace of God, the RGIPO will hold its convocation ceremony this year.
He highlighted some achievements made since he assumed office as the rector of the institution. He said the near total loss of confidence by both workers and students in the state government has been frontally addressed through regular strategic engagements with the unions, which has also put an end to incessant industrial crises in the institution, as was experienced in the past.
He also mentioned that the Executive Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has demonstrated kind-heartedness by releasing funds for the payments of backlogged staff salary areas, palliatives, retired staff benefits, others, and within 2023 to date, all staff salaries have been paid in full.
The ag. rector acknowledged the various ways the RUGIPO Alumni Association has been collaborating with the management of the institution to accelerate the development of the school, one of which is the Solar Powered panel constructed by the Abuja chapter of the association to help address the challenge of adequate portable water supply in the institution.
He expressed his delight that the institution has a functional and active alumni association.
Dr. Opeyemí Ayadi, the president, RUGIPO Alumni Cooperative Society, disclosed that within the year, the association was able to give about N4M dividend to its members for the year ending 2024, as he presented a cheque to one of the beneficiaries who was not on ground when the dividend was given to others.
The general secretary, Mr. Akinola Moses, reported on the activities of the association within the year, and announced that RUGIPO Alumni, Abuja Chapter, has supported its members in getting employment and business opportunities, and offering support during challenging times, in a bid to ensure that no member stands alone.
He said the association has, overtime, ensured that all members feel valued, adding that this year, the association successfully upgraded the alumni’s NGO to enable it serve the society and its members better.
The registrar, RUGIPO, Mr. Opeyemí Suleiman, expressed his happiness with the association, attributing the activities of the association to a statement in the 1961 inaugural address of an American president, John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
He prayed that the Lord will continue to bless all members of RUGIPO Alumni and to help the association achieve all its good plans for Ondo State and the Polytechnic.
A member of the association, Abuja chapter, Mr. Sunmonu Tiamiyu, said the yearly gathering has strengthened the ties among members, and he is happy to be identified with RUGIPO Alumni.
As the curtain was drawn open for the launching of the 800 Capacity Student Hostel, the Akoko North-East/North-West Representative, Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero, declared the section open, and promised to do something significant towards the achievement of the project.
Commenting on the launching, Hon. Elder Akande said the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic has been given ample recognition by the governor and he will also support the 800 Capacity Hostel building initiative in the best way possible.
Awards of recognition were given to members of the RUGIPO Alumni, Abuja Chapter, and other individuals who have demonstrated love, commitment and support towards the success of the association..
Among those honoured were His Royal Majesty, Oliyere of Iyere Kingdom, Owo, Oba Omotunde Alaba Adako; Akoko North-East/North-West Representative, Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero; National President, RUGIPO Alumni Association Nigeria and Overseas, Engr. (Chief) Adeola Adeshina Victor, and some members of the association.
The 2024 epoch making event was well attended by the creme-de-la-creme of Ondo State and other well wishers from far and near, among which are the Oba Omotunde Alaba Adako(Oliyere of Iyere Kingdom), Elder Ayodele Akande (representing the governor of Ondo State), Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero (Akoko North-East/North-West Representative), Pst. Adegun S. Olorunwa (Rector RUGIPO), Mr. Yemi Suleiman (Registrar RUGIPO), Mr. Ayodele S.K. (RUGIPO Librarian), Engr. Adeola Adesina Victor (National President, RUGIPO Alumni Association), Engr. Ifedayo Akindoju (Grand Patron, RUGIPO Alumni, Abuja Chapter), national and Abuja chapter executive members of RUGIPO Alumni Association and their families, other members of the association and their families, invited guests and well wishers.
The Alumni NGO donated some notebooks to the association which were distributed to all families represented at the event.
Giving a closing remark, the chairman, Abuja Chapter of RUGIPO Alumni Association, Otunba (Alhaji) Abubakar Adeshina Omoluabi, thanked all members and invited guests for gracing the event with their presence, and wished everyone safe journey back to their various destinations.
Highlights of the event included the launching of an 800 capacity Student Hostel, presentation of Awards of Excellence to deserving individuals, children dance, family dance, distribution of notebooks, live music by Tunde Michael and His Amazing Grace Band, and others.
