The management of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), has launched an investigation into the cause of a fire that gutted the institution’s female hostel over the weekend.
The inferno, which affected a female block on campus, destroyed properties worth millions.
Some students had linked the incident to a suspected power surge from a shop near the hostel, But the official cause is yet to be confirmed.
In a statement on Monday, the institution’s spokesman, Olumide Olugosi, said the management was committed to ensuring such incidents do not recur.
“We are aware of the fire incident that occurred at one of our student hostels on Saturday. Thankfully, the fire was quickly extinguished, and there were no casualties. We are relieved that the situation was brought under control without any loss of life.
“The management extends its heartfelt appreciation to the state government, led by Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for their concern and prompt intervention during this unfortunate incident.
“We also want to express our gratitude to the Student Union Government and the Ondo State Fire Service for their swift response, which played a crucial role in containing the situation. Our team is currently investigating the cause of the fire and will implement the necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“The management of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, is committed to the safety of our students and making their well-being our top priority. We are providing support to those affected and will ensure that appropriate precautions are taken to prevent similar incidents going forward,” the statement reads.
Students have called on the school authorities to improve hostel safety by providing more firefighting equipment and ensuring stable electricity supply on campus.
