By Temidayo Atere
Editor Ayomiposi Akinrimisi
Students of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest at the institution’s main gate, calling on staff to resume academic activities amid the ongoing industrial action.
The protest, led by the Students’ Union Government (SUG), followed recent developments regarding the payment of outstanding salary arrears by the Ondo State Government. While the government had reportedly cleared part of the arrears, staff unions insisted that the implementation of the new minimum wage remains a key condition for calling off the strike.
According to our correspondent, students gathered at the main entrance of the institution, appealing to lecturers and other staff to return to work in the interest of their academic progress.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the protest later escalated into a brief moment of tension following an alleged exchange between a staff member and a student. The situation reportedly led to minor disturbances.
In a further development, protesting students were said to have moved to block the federal road adjoining the institution, disrupting vehicular movement for some time.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP),Comrade Arikawe S. Ade,commended the students for their agitation for the resumption of academic activities. He, however, urged them to allow the union proceed with its congress, expressing hope that the outcome would bring about a positive resolution. He also advised the students to ensure that their protest remains peaceful and to refrain from actions that could lead to unrest within the institution.
Despite the tension, the protest was largely described as peaceful, with the SUG maintaining that the action was aimed at drawing urgent attention to the prolonged disruption of academic activities.
The Students’ Union Government had earlier called on the Ondo State Government to implement the approved minimum wage for staff, noting that doing so would facilitate the suspension of the strike.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the institution’s management or staff unions regarding the latest development.
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