The National President of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, has called on Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities across the country to emulate the exemplary leadership qualities of Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Professor Okechuku Onuchuku.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy visit on Prof. Onuchuku with his National Administrative Committee (NAC) recently at the Council Chambers at the Rumuolumeni, main campus, the National President commended the VC for putting promotion of staff welfare on the front burner of his administration.
He disclosed that they had 92 branches of SSANU across the Nation and had come to interact with their foot soldiers on ground at the region, to have first hand information on their plight.
Ibrahim hinted that he was happy to hear that promotion of staff, which is the life wire of productivity in every workforce, is not taken for granted as in other places, but accorded members who are due.
He lauded the VC for providing a conducive working environment for staff to operate and for running an open door policy.
The SSANU boss also appreciated the University for doing great by operating the Directorate system, giving yearly Christmas package to staff, identifying the need to allow staff to attend workshops, conferences and to acquire additional qualifications.
The National President, however, called for increase in the number of non-teaching staff that attend workshops and conferences sponsored by Tetfund, amd appealed to the University’s Management to look into the issues of staff at the Demonstration Secondary School, Ndele, and to consider their plight by lending voices to their situation at the appropriate quarters.
He further appealed for them to be provided for, for this Christmas season, no matter how little, to give them a sense of belonging.
The SSANU boss prayed God to “fortify and strengthen the Vice Chancellor as he works towards taking the university to greater heights”.

Responding, the Registrar of the University, Mr Donald Okogbaa, who represented the VC, described the visit as a welcome development and lauded the National body for showing interest in the welfare of their members.

He disclosed that the institution’s administration is pained and sympathizes with the plight of staff of Demonstration Secondary School, Ndele, especially as injury to one is injury to all, expressing hope that their current condition would change for the better in no distant time.

The Registrar noted that promotion of staff who are due, such as Deputy Registrars, has recently been concluded and that the University was getting ready to conduct another set of interviews for  Directors.

He further disclosed that the body he is presiding over has set up a committee  to look into the five years residency issue for non-teaching staff and would review the situation to ensure that Gray areas are handled.

Okogbaa later presented gift items to the National President and his team.

In a vote of thanks, the SSANU Chairman, IAUE Branch, Comrade Chisa Egwu, thanked the body for the visit he hoped would usher in a new dawn.

High point of the visit was the decoration of the Registrar with SSANU lapel, presentation of gift items to the VC, his wife, the Registrar, and his wife by the National President.