Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the payment of three months’ salary arrears owed to staff of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO).
The governor’s approval followed his intervention in the labour dispute between the management and staff of the institution.
In a separate development, Aiyedatiwa also met with the leadership of the Ondo State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to address issues that led to the ongoing industrial action by judiciary workers.
The judiciary workers had embarked on an indefinite strike on 13 June 2025 over the state government’s alleged failure to implement aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on financial autonomy for the judiciary.
After extensive deliberations on the matter, the governor directed the establishment of a committee to work out the modalities for releasing funds to the state judiciary in line with its financial autonomy.
He appointed the Commissioner for Finance, Omowumi Isaac, to chair the committee, which will include both union representatives and government officials.
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Governor Aiyedatiwa reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the judiciary and improving the welfare of its workforce.
The Chairman of JUSUN in Ondo State, Oluwafemi Afolabi, who led the union’s delegation to the meeting, presented the demands of the striking judiciary workers.
He appreciated the governor’s efforts in the sector, particularly the increase in the number of judges in the State High Courts.
Afolabi also commended the pace of construction at the ongoing ultra-modern judiciary complex in Akure and praised the government for the prompt payment of salaries and the prioritisation of workers’ welfare.
He assured that the resolutions reached at the meeting would be relayed to union members and expressed optimism that the indefinite strike would soon be called off.
Key officials present at the meeting included the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff to the governor, Segun Omojuwa; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, Commissioner for Finance, Omowumi Isaac; and the Special Adviser to the governor on Union Matters, Comrade Bola Taiwo.
