ASUU Backs Down; Allows First Female FUTA VC To Assume Office

By Ayodele Oni

Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA), backed down in its threat to prevent the first female Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Adenike Oladiji from assumption of duty on Tuesday.

ASUU, in a statement, which has generated crisis as the leadership of the union disowned it saying it was not signed by recognized leaders warned  Prof Oladiji not to resume as her appointment was fraught with irregularities.

Pro-Chancellor of FUTA, Ambassador Godknows Baladei Igali (OON), inaugurated the new Vice Chancellor urging her to prioritize the welfare of workers.

Prof Oladiji, is the 8th substantive Vice Chancellor of the university,

Igali pointed out that”One question of great concern is the importance of according top most priority to welfare of members of the University community. The saying goes ’an incentivised worker is a productive worker,’ vice versa.

“The welfare of all sections of the university community must be taken very seriously and be rest assured that I will do my level best to assist and support you in this respect.”

Apparently reacting to criticisms which trailed her selection, the pro chancellor insisted that the election process that produced the new VC was painstakingly done with honesty, fairness and transparency to produce the best candidate.

“Council shortlisted twenty 20 candidates out of the 29 that applied for the position of the Vice Chancellor in line with the stated criteria.

“The selection criteria were also strictly followed by the Selection Board to arrive at the three candidates based strictly on merit.

“It is indeed a well-deserved appointment. In a sector mainly dominated by the male folks, it is highly commendable that you could prove your mettle and emerge at the top.

“You, therefore, need to hit the ground running and work assiduously to not only sustain, but improve upon the current rating of the university.

“You need to provide exemplary leadership and bring harmony among the various sectors of the university.

“You will have to surpass the achievements of your predecessors in terms of academic and infrastructural development. You must be able to bring your managerial abilities to the fore to harness available resources to achieve breakthroughs for the university on all fronts.”

He pledged to cooperate with the new VC and management to further take the University to greater heights, lauding her predecessor, Prof Joseph Fuwape, for his uncommon leadership qualities.

Prof. Oladiji after her inauguration, promised to take the onerous task, assuring that the gains of FUTA in the past years would be sustained, improved upon and evolved on global strategies to secure the future.

“I, therefore, whole heartedly extend a hand of fellowship to all others who aspired for this position, and I solicit your support and cooperation to move our great university to greater heights.

“I must say at this juncture that many have extended hand of fellowship, I therefore salute your maturity and urge you to please let us join hands as we start a new phase in the history of FUTA. I am humbled by the many congratulatory messages.

“The Federal University of Technology Akure is doing well but there is always room for improvement.

“As a university of technology, we must be prepared to deal with emerging questions that we did not know had to be answered. The COVID-19 experience showed there is a lot of ground yet uncovered.

“Addressing most of the big issues facing humanity captured succinctly in the sustainable development goals requires that we network across country borders and academic disciplines. No single institution, country or discipline can exclusively provide solutions.

“We will network and be the hub for the much-desired change in the higher education sector.”