…As Union Urges Other VCs to Emulate Him
Amid commendation galore for a job well done by the outgoing Vice Chancellor, VC, of the Federal University of Agriculture, FUNAAB, the national headquarters of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has honoured Prof, Felix Kolawole Salako with an award of appreciation for outstanding performance and exemplary robust relationship with the union without compromising standard.
SSANU National President, Com. Ibrahim Haruna presented the award to Prof. Salako on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at SSANU, FUNAAB chapter secretariat, in the presence of national and states executives of the union, as well as the Ogun State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Com. Emmanuel Bankole.
Moments before the presentation of the award to the Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, the SSANU President sampled the mind of members of SSANU, FUNAAB branch, who almost filled the venue to the brim, asking them to say “Yes” if Prof.Salako deserves the award or “Nay” if not.
The question was greeted by a thunderous response of “Yes,” which rented and enveloped the venue, without any voice of opposition to the proposition.
Presenting the award, Com. Haruna disclosed that “this is SSANU’s own way of appreciating an icon. This is not a bribe, but a well deserved appreciation for a man with outstanding achievements in office and more importantly, exemplary cordial relationship with our union without compromising standard”
He added, “If Prof. Salako has not done well, we would have said it. Whatever you sow, you will reap and the Vice Chancellor is reaping the fruits of the good work he sowed.”
He articulated the impact of the Vice Chancellor on SSANU to include almost 100 percent promotion for all members of staff in the last four years; conversion and re-designation of staff members to various professional cadres, and conversion of 35 others to academic staff.
According to him, others are approval of promotion of staff on CONTISS 13 to CONTISS 14; full payment of gross salaries of the teachers of the University Staff School during their period of challenges, and consistent support and participation of the Vice Chancellor in the monthly SSANU Health Walk programme, among several others.
Speaking on the impact of the Vice Chancellor on the university in general, the SSANU President commended Prof. Salako for constructing a 7-billion-litre capacity dam; construction of Senate Extension, which he visited and described as wonderful; construction of many infrastructural facilities and provision, sustenance and expansion of internet access on campus, among others.
The SSANU President admonished other Vice Chancellors to take a cue from Prof. Salako’s robust relationship with SSANU and landmark achievements in office in general, which he described as exemplary and emulatable.
He thanked the entire management team of FUNAAB, SSANU members, staff and students of the university for their support and cooperation, which contributed significantly to the success of the outgoing Vice Chancellor.
Responding, the representative of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kehinde, the DVC, Development, expressed gratitude to SSANU for the honour done to the Vice Chancellor, the management and the entire university, assuring that Prof. Salako will thank the union better during activities marking the end of his tenure.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of FUNAAB chapter of SSANU, Comrade Olurotimi Fasunwon, said, “For the past five years now, we have monitored the Vice Chancellor very closely, and we can safely conclude that he is indeed a man you can refer to as “Talk and Do.”
Also speaking, SSANU National Vice President, South-West, Comrade (Dr.) Abdulsobbur Salaam, disclosed that Prof Salako stood tall among his predecessors who performed exceptionally in office, warning that the union won’t hesitate to give cold treatment to any of his successors whose record is otherwise.
