GOV AIYEDATIWA APPROVES THE UPGRADE/CONVERSION OF RUGIPO TO UNIVERSITY – Signs MoU with investors, consultants on agriculture, revenue generation
The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the upgrade and conversion of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo to a University of Agriculture and Agribusiness.
This came after reviewing the initial proposal for the conversion of the polytechnic to a university of management science and technology by the state government under the last administration.
According to a release by Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, announcing the conversion of the school to University of Agriculture and Agribusiness on his assumption of office after inauguration, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the school will be the model for the agric and food security revolution initiative of the state government.
The governor added that a committee will be set up by the government to work out modalities for the implementation of the conversion while assuring that this will not have any negative effect on the current students and staff of the institution.
Also, the Governor approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and a private investor on the injection of 15 billion into a youth-oriented agriculture initiative in the State.
The MoU was an agreement for the establishment and operation of the Young Ranchers Agricultural Cluster Development Programme between the state government and the AgroMall Discovery and Extension Limited.
The company will use 5 hectares of land in each of the three clusters in the state, using three higher institutions, including the newly upgraded RUGIPO, as host pilot beneficiaries. 
The initiative will focus on practical farming for young people and practical training for students in agriculture and agric-related operations.
Aside from training of the students, each of the three institutions to be used as hosts also stands to benefit a percentage from the proceeds of the operations.
In a related development, Governor Aiyedatiwa has approved a Memorandum of Understanding with BBA Consult on the development and deployment of a secured ICT to enhance state resources planning and management system towards an increase in revenue generation.
This agreement, which aims to reform the internally generated revenue profile of the State, will be on a Build, Operate and Transfer basis.
