…..As Ondo Varsity plans to spend N65m on Anniversary despite owing workers’ of several months of entitlements
Industrial unrest is looming as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) chapter, has alleged the management of the institution of financial restlessness by the alleged allocation of over ₦65 million for the university’s 10th-anniversary celebration, describing it as insensitive and ill-advised.
In a communiqué issued by its Chairman, Comrade Oluwaseyi Abayomi, following a congress meeting on Wednesday at the University’s campus, the union called on the university management, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, to urgently cut costs on frivolities and focus on more pressing staff demands.
The Union claimed that despite multiple deliberations, the management had neglected their demands which include, unpaid arrears of over 12 months’ remittance to members of PFAs, non- implementation of Employee Compensation Act, 2010, non payment of 18 months’ arrears of January 2023 wage award, non payment of 105 months’ arrears of Responsibility Allowance, among others.
Comrade Abayomi urged the university to address these critical staff welfare issues rather than allocate a significant sum to anniversary celebrations.
The union also emphasized its readiness to explore legal options should their demands remain unmet.
“The Congress of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Medical Sciences, UNIMED branch, Ondo at its regular congress meeting held on Wednesday, 20th November, 2024 exhaustively considered and vehemently frown at and condemn the plan to spend a whopping sum of over Sixty-Five Million Naira (N65,000,000) on a mere 10th anniversary by Professor Adesegun Fatusi- led Management at this point of general financial and economic challenge when policy being adopted by strategic institutions and organizations is to drastically cut cost on frivolities and at a time of pending weightier matters that the union expected should be the top priority of the Management.
“After exhaustive deliberation and consideration of the matter, congress expresses disappointment at the high level of insensitivity of the Management and thereby made following resolutions:
“That the University Management led by Professor Adesegun Fatusi reverse the highly insensitive and wasteful anniversary spending, as the congress considers it as high level of financial recklessness; especially at this point of general financial and economic challenge.
“That the Management should commit itself to offsetting pending staff welfare matters that are already before the Management. The pressing staff welfare matters which the congress expected that they are on priority list rather than a mere 10th anniversary include but not limited to the following:
“Arrears of over 12 months’ remittance to members PFAS. Immediate Implementation of Orange Health Insurance Policy to cater for health needs of our dear members
“(iii) Implementation Employee Compensation Act (2010) for our members. (iv) Payment of 57 months’ arrears of 2019 Minimum Wage Consequential Adjustment
“(v) Payment of 18 months’ arrears of January 2023 Wage Award. (vi) Payment of over 105 months’ arrears of Responsibility Allowance. (vii) Payment of Excess Work Load Allowance. (viii) Bridging the wide gap of training and development of SSANU members
“The congress also wishes to advice the Professor Adesegun Fatusi Led-Management to be strategic at this point in time and adopt measures to avert wastefulness and focus on the development of the University while meeting pending welfare matters of staff who have sacrificed immensely over the years to ensure sustainability of the University over the period.
“The congress gave a directive that all SSANU members should not partake nor be a party to the highly insensitive white elephant anniversary that would possibly hamper on the financial sustainability of the University unless directed otherwise.
“Congress wishes to state categorically that it would resist the wasteful spending if the management fails to rescind on the huge planned expenditure on a mere anniversary that can be done modest, and yet excellently. Therefore, the Management is requested to notify the union on its position on this matter as soon as possible
“SSANU wishes to use this opportunity to request that, the University Governing Council mist live by its obligation and expectation at all times by containing executive recklessness and high-handedness when they are brought to it.
“The Council must not compromise on its role as a control body for whatever reason SSANU is also laying it on the Governing to give credence to candidates with high level of emotional intelligence, sound judgment and good administrative and interpersonal skill in the ongoing selection process for new Vice Chancellor for the University.
“Credence must be given to these qualities as academic prowess, as it has proven that, no Vice Chancellor can succeed in a volatile and diverse University system of today with just academic qualifications and experience,” the SSANU said.
