A Jewel of Inestimable Value: How Ondo’s Finance Commissioner Sparked Rufus Giwa Polytechnic’s Rebirth
Saturday, October 25, 2025, will forever be etched in the history of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, as a day of renewal, joy, and restoration.
For the first time in 13 years, the institution held a full convocation ceremony for its graduating students; a milestone many thought impossible given the institution’s prolonged financial distress.
For over a decade, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic grappled with the harsh realities of neglect: inconsistent salary payments, unpaid pensions and gratuities, decaying infrastructure, and irregular subventions that crippled effective planning. The once-vibrant institution became a shadow of its proud past.
Then came a new dawn; the administration of Hon. (Dr) Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and with it, a transformative change powered by the financial stewardship of Mrs (Chief) Omowunmi Isaac, the Honourable Commissioner for Finance.
Under her firm yet visionary financial management, the state’s finances were restructured, priorities realigned, and hope restored. In a bold show of fiscal discipline and compassion, the Aiyedatiwa-led government released ₦2 billion in two installments as a bailout to the Polytechnic, clearing the fog of despair that once enveloped the campus.
Before this intervention, the Polytechnic’s workers were owed 14 months of unpaid salaries. Through the deft coordination and financial prudence of Hon. Isaac and her team, six months’ arrears were cleared immediately, rekindling trust and morale among staff. Today, all outstanding salaries have been fully paid, pensions and gratuities settled, and salaries are now disbursed promptly every month.
The ripple effect of this financial rebirth is visible everywhere, from newly renovated buildings to a renewed academic spirit across the campus. The Polytechnic community, in an outpouring of gratitude, composed a song in appreciation of the Governor and his finance team; a rare gesture that speaks volumes of the government’s positive impact.
Recognizing her invaluable contribution, the Polytechnic Council conferred on Mrs (Chief) Omowunmi Isaac a Special Award of Recognition and Appreciation; an honour most deserving of the first female Commissioner for Finance in Ondo State.
In her typically humble response, Mrs. Isaac dedicated the award to her late father, Alhaji Adefemi Adegoke Yusuf (Odide Kajola), describing him as “a man of deep principle, unwavering integrity, and quiet strength.” She noted that his values of service, humility, and excellence continue to guide her life and public service.
Her modesty notwithstanding, every discerning observer knows that Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac remains the X-factor in the institution’s turnaround story; a financial reformer whose quiet strength and sharp intellect have helped restore stability and confidence in Ondo State’s fiscal management.
Today, Ondo State can proudly say it is blessed with a jewel of inestimable value; a woman whose expertise, discipline, and compassion continue to redefine governance and inspire excellence across every sector.
Indeed, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic’s revival is not just a story of institutional restoration; it is a testament to what visionary leadership and prudent financial management can achieve when anchored on integrity and purpose.