Rector of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), Dr Olorunwa Adegun, has urged workers in the institution to shun the ongoing strike and sheathe their sword for overall interest of students.
Adegun made the appeal on Tuesday when he led the institution management in a meeting with the union members of the institution at the school’s Owo campus.
The rector emphasized the need for sustained collaboration between the management and staff unions to ensure a unified position ahead of engagements with the government-appointed committee.
Adegun commended Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo for his interventions, particularly the payment of outstanding salary arrears, recent appointments into key positions, and the constitution of a committee to address the implementation of the new minimum wage.
He urged the unions to reconsider their position on the ongoing industrial action in the interest of stability and progress of the polytechnic.
He asked all parties to recognize the state government’s commitment to finding lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the institution.
Responding, Comrade Samuel Arikawe, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), acknowledged the government’s intervention, adding that the implementation of the new minimum wage remained the core issue behind the strike.
Arikawe congratulated the rector on his appointment and assured the management of continued cooperation, while stressing the need to address staff welfare, including minimum wage implementation and promotion matters.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), Comrade Saka-Olokungboye Nurudeen, appreciated the payment of arrears.
Nurudeen reiterated that the new minimum wage remained central to the industrial action, saying that the unions are critical stakeholders in the progress of the institution.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the union members embarked on strike on Feb. 9, over the non implementation of three months salary arrears and non implementation of the new minimum wage. (NAN)
