By Sunday Afolayan
The Acting Rector of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), Engr. Dr Sunday Olorunwa Lawson, has called for fundamental attitudinal change among staff of the institution, urging them to embrace professionalism, diligence and ethical conduct in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Lawson made the call during a capacity building seminar organised recently by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication Studies (FSCS) of the polytechnic, where he stressed the need for staff to contribute positively to the growth and development of the institution by demonstrating full commitment to their duties.
The Acting Rector, who declared that the era of laziness and corrupt practices must end, noted that everyone is expected to uphold high standards of integrity and accountability.
He warned that acts capable of undermining the progress and reputation of the insttution would no longer be tolerated.
He appreciated the Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for implementing the new minimum wage for the polytechnic, which he descnbed as motivating factor to engender a new culture of commitment and dedication among staff of the instrtution.
While dwelling on the paper presented by the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Mr Henry Olu-Braimoh, he particularly urged lecturers to imbibe “strong moral academic culture’, saying that lecturers occupy a strategic position in shaping the intellectual and moral character of students, “which should project the image of the polytechnic in a positive light".
He encouraged other faculties to organise similar programmes for their members’ benefit.
Lawson also observed that the implementation of the new salary regime had strengthened the need for staff to demonstrate greater dedication to their responsibilities, saying that improved remuneration should be accompanied by improved productrvity, professionalism and commitment to duty.
In his opening speech, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication Studies, Dr Raman Olaniyan Abubakri, stated he was motivated to initiate the capacity building seminar, to fill the gap that often affected staff's conduct, productivity and promotion negatively, describing the programme as a worthwhile exercise to improve the knowledge base, skills acquisition and professional orientation of staff.
While presenting his paper, Olu- Braimoh urged staff not to engage in practices that could compromise academic standards or the effective administration of the stitution, stressing that the globally acceptable academic culture does not permit anyone to cut conners in the performance of his or her responsibilities within and outside the polytechnic.
The Chairman, Committee of Deans, Mr Segun Omosuli appealed to both staff and students to cooperate with management in creating a conducive atmosphere for teaching, learning and other academic activities, saying such cooperation would contribute significantly to ensuring smooth and uninterrupted academic sessions in the polytechnic.
The Head of Mass Communication Department, Dr Sunday Afolayan, who also presented a paper at the seminar expressed hope that the programme would inspire renewed commitment among staff and contribute to building a more productive, ethical and academically vibrant Rufus Giwa Polytechnic.
He urged members of the polytechnic community to support the administration's efforts towards repositioning the institution and projecting its image positively.
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