RUGIPO set to be pace setter as Abuja alumni donates solar borehole to institution. By Binta Haruna

Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo, RUGIPO, has indicated its readiness to become a pace setter in Nigeria, following the donation of a solar powered borehole by its Abuja Alumni association chapter.

Speaking at the commissioning of the solar powered borehole at the institution, the acting rector, Mr Adegun Olorunwa disclosed that some investors have assured on the establishment of a tomato industry to produce tomato paste and the construction of a 4,000 bed space, as well as a befitting hotel accommodation for the school.

He said a commodity market will be introduced next week, to ensure that every member is alleviated in the area of food provision.

“We will create another department or unit that is called Career Development Unit and it is going to be massively supported by TETFUND,” he informed.

“The beauty of this is that whatever course you are studying here, you must look at the business aspect, so that as you are going out you will also become an employer of labour,” he said.

He called on the people for an endowment fund in the areas mentioned, adding that the school has 1500 hectares of land which the alumni can help develop.

According to him, the school being a technology-based institution, needs to keep advancing and be up-to-date in technology, so as to enhance its growth.

While expressing happiness having passed through 4 abortive strike, Ologunwa appealed that students should keep themselves together and make sure that they do not exceed by a day, the time they are staying in the campus.

In a goodwill message, the Oliyere of Iyere Kingdom, HRM Oba Omotunde Alaba Adako, appreciated the Abuja chapter of the Old Students Association of RUGIPO, describing their gesture as a way to give back to the community.

He urged the school to encourage investors and philanthropists on developmental projects, as well as to work more on the school’s media station for proper dissemination of information to the people.

“I came with Olowo of Owo to commission RUGIPO FM Station. We hardly hear it and I want us to please work on that because if you don’t blow your trumpet, nobody will blow it for you,” he stated.

While commissioning the solar-powered borehole, member representing Ondo North senatorial district, Senator Pastor Jide Emmanuel Ipinsagba emphasized on the importance of an endowment which he described as giving back to the society.

Ipinsagba, who was represented by Mr. Olumide Abudu, charged the alumni to go a step further by synergizing with the school management, advising that it gives out prizes during convocation, and also encourage investors to contribute to the development of the institute.

The National President of the alumni association, Engr. Adeola Adesina, said the association will, in the next three months, commission its building, which is currently at about 70% completion stage.

Adesina, who confirmed the donation of some writing materials by the Ikare chapter of the alumni two weeks ago, disclosed that the Akure chapter will be coming to donate another project to the school.

He urged the school authority to continue in the pace setting right away.

Appreciating the grand patron of Abuja Alumni chapter, Engr. Ifedayo Akindoju, the National President of the association, said the solar borehole project donated is in memory of late Comrade Roland Adeshina, who was the SUG president 2007, and the pioneer President of Abuja chapter, whose remarkable achievement cannot be forgotten too soon.

Furthermore, on behalf of the alumni, he pledged continuous support from all its chapter for the management and the students union of the school.

Earlier in his opening remark, the chairman of Abuja chapter of the alumni, Otunba Abubakar Adesina, said the solar-powered borehole will have constant supply of clean water from the deep, as human survival depends on water.

He said the commissioning have many benefits on the economic development of the school, and at the same time will help contribute to preservation and sustainable utilization of resources.

While acknowledging those who contributed towards the success of the project, he charged the students to handle the project with utmost care and ensure its adequate maintenance.