Leaders of the three non-teaching staff unions – Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) – have agreed to partner with the new Vice-Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa to move the institution to greater heights.
The union leaders made the commitment on Tuesday, 1 March, 2022 at their first meeting with principal officers of the institution held in the Vice Chancellor’s Office, where Prof. Ologunorisa unveiled his vision for the uplift of the 12-year old University.
The union leaders unanimously assured Prof. Ologunorisa of their commitments and those of their various members to key in to the vision and goals of the new university chief administrator in ensuring the institution experience a change of status quo.
They promised that they would ensure that their members who were working under harsh conditions live up to expectations by shunning lateness to work and avoid being absent from work unjustified, as they urged the Professor of Climate Science to carry them along in attaining his lofty plans and dreams for the institution so that they could educate their members appropriately.
The leadership of three unions informed the 4th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the harsh conditions that they and their members had been working in order to sustain the University and ensure that the system continued to run.
Responding, OAUSTECH new helmsman revealed that staff welfare was paramount in his transformative agenda of moving the University forward, saying that, as a unionist himself, he would turn around the fortunes of the institution building on the culture of peace and stability that pervade OAUSTECH.
The former University of Port-Harcourt ASUU Secretary, now Vice-Chancellor, passionately unveiled part of his transformative agenda to the union leaders, as he encouraged them to educate their members on the need to be punctual and be dedicated to their duties as a way of taking the University to the desired level.
“It’s not going to be business as usual. The University should be seen as a self-sustaining business and as such taken seriously by all members of staff,” he asserted.
“I have started working. I enjoin all of you to join the moving train. The fortunes of this University will change for good in the coming months as we in introduce new professional courses for the benefits of the indigenes and non-indigenes alike,” he assured.
According to the first appointed professor at Osun State University who assumed duty on 23 February, 2022, the School of Postgraduate Studies at the Mini-Campus at Idepe would be relocated to the Main Campus, while the School of Basic Medical Sciences would be established at the Mini-Campus of the University.
He promised to establish additional schools: School of Management Sciences, School of Maritime Transport and Logistics, School of ICT, School of Environmental Technology, School of Earth Sciences and School of Basic Medical Sciences.
The former Provost of the College of Management Sciences at Osun State University enjoined all stakeholders to join hands with him to transform the University and make it visible in world reckoning, noting that he had sacrificed everything to come to the institution for transformation in an atmosphere of peace and stability.
“Bring proposals. Share ideas that will transform the University. I am ready to work with anyone to transform this institution as a centre of excellence in maritime studies and areas of competitive advantage. Please, join me in my transformation efforts. You are critical stakeholders in this citadel of learning in driving the change of attitude and orientation,” the passionate international scholar stated.
The union leaders had come to seek clarifications from the University Management on the memo issued by the University Registrar based on a directive from the Vice-Chancellor on the need for staff to sign attendance register on entry and exit from work daily.
Prof. Ologunorisa assured them that the directive was not meant to witch-hunt anyone but for the safety and security of staff and that he would be willing to explore any options presented by the responsive and responsible union leaders to ensure punctuality and regularity at work.
The union leaders pleaded that Management should allow them engage their members and enforce the punctuality and regularity at work, which Management assured would be considered so as to move the University forward.
Present at the first meeting of new Vice-Chancellor and the unions were principal officers: Prof. Francis Igbasan (Deputy Vice-Chancellor), Mr. Ganiyu Saliu (Registrar), Prof. Frederick Ajegbomogun (University Librarian) and the newly appointed Deputy Director, Information, Protocols and Public Relations of the institution, Mr. Paul Adeagbo who assumed duty that day.
Comrades at the interactive session were: Mr. Temidayo Temola (SSANU Chairman), Mr. Ayobamidele Akindehinde (NASU Chairman), Mr. Bobola Bamigbola (NAAT Chairman), Mr. Sunday Olowokanga (SSANU General Secretary), Mr. Olanrewaju Orisamika (SSANU Financial Secretary) and Mrs. Dolapo Adenike Oluwaseyi (SSANU Woman Leader).
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