The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB)

  • ASUU demands Panel of Inquiry into LASU crisis

    ASUU demands Panel of Inquiry into LASU crisis

    The Lagos Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Wednesday demanded the setting up of an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the crisis at the Lagos State University, Ojo and the attendant sacking of seven lecturers among others.

    The Lagos Zone of ASUU comprising of Federal and State universities in Lagos and Ogun, also called on the Kogi State Government to reverse its decision regarding the sacking of over 150 academic staff of the Kogi State University, Ayungba and re – instate the affected lecturers.

    Addressing journalists at the ASUU office in Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB) Abeokuta, the Lagos Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Olusiji Sowande, described the treatment mete out to their colleagues in Lagos and Kogi State Universities as acts of “impunity and crude political onslaught” on the union.

    Olusiji added that they were calculated to “intimidate, harass and decimate” lecturers in both institutions.

    According to him, the zone was mandated by the national body of the union to look into the crises at LASU and KSU and give recommendations.

    The Zonal Coordinator briefed journalists in company of other ASUU executives –  Deji Agboola of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Dr John Fayemi of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, and Dr. Dele Ashiru of University of Lagos.

    Others are; Dr Akinloye Oyewumi of Lagos State University and Dr Adebayo Oni of FUNAAB.

    He alleged that members of the union in LASU were being hounded by the Vice-chancellor, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun, for demanding constitution of a functional budget monitoring committee.

    He also said members had asked for evidence of proper utilisation of the N1.3bn NEEDs Assessment Revitalisation fund released to the institution in 2013.

    Sowande explained that their colleagues incurred the wrath of the management of LASU for demanding the implementation of Earned Academic Allowances components of the ASUU-FGN 2009 Agreement.

    He said the union had written a letter to the visitor to the institution, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, over the issue.

    The Union also expressed its displeasure over the recent increment of acceptance fee from N10,000 to N20,000 by the Institution .

    He said:  “ASUU, Lagos zone joins the Education Right Campaign in calling for an independent panel of inquiry on the unfolding crisis in LASU with a view to resolving it before the crisis becomes a monster that will be difficult to curtail.

    “We call on governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to call some of his functionaries to order as there are evidences that they are working  in tandem with Vice  Chancellor of LASU  and some members of the governing council to fuel the crisis in LASU

    “Our union should not be held responsible for any eventual crisis in LASU.

    “The real motive of the LASU’s management for hounding our members is to silence them and we are going to resist it.

    “We want an independent panel of inquiry to be set up by the visitor, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. If this is not done, the problem will keep reoccurring.

    “A case in point is that of the treasurer of LASU branch, Dr. Oluwakemi Aboderin-Sonibare was queried for demanding that her promotion should be correctly dated”.

    On Kogi Varsity crisis, Sowande condemned the sacking of 150 members of academic staff of the University, describing it as impunity and high-handedness by the state governor, Yahaya Bello.

    He urged the state government to reverse the decision on the sacking of the 150 academic staff of the Kogi State University.

  • I resisted pressure to influence choice of FUNAAB new VC – Obasanjo

    I resisted pressure to influence choice of FUNAAB new VC – Obasanjo

    … I’ll love all, including those opposed to my emergence – Salako

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has given a little insight into the ‘behind – the – scene –  intrigues and politics’ that attended the processes leading to the emergence of Prof. Felix Kolawole Salako as the new Vice – Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture ( FUNAAB ), Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    Salako, a Professor of Soil Physics  on Wednesday officially assumed duty as the substantive sixth Vice – Chancellor of the 29 years old university with the transfer of an instrument of office to him at a ceremony witnessed by Obasanjo, the Pro – Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Dr. Aboki Zhawa, FUNAAB past Vice – Chancellors, including Prof. Julius Okogie,  the Acting – Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ololade Eniokuomehin, among others.

    Salako succeeded Professor Olusola Oyewole, whose five years tenure was riddled with intractable crisis.

    Obasanjo revealed that there were a lot pressures on him to influence the university Governing Council in its decision regarding who became the next Vice – Chancellor but refused to bow to such pressures.

    He said many things were said  about the new Vice – Chancellor of FUNAAB but stood his ground not to interfere with the process, save encouraging the Governing Council to do its job thoroughly.

    The ex-President lauded the Council for doing the job of picking the new V-C professionally, and hailed Salako for his brilliant performance during the screening process.

    He urged him to strive towards excellence in his new position and at the same time, be vigilant lest he falls.

    Obasanjo said: “I know there must have been pressure on you (Governing Council). Even me, an outsider, there was pressure on me. But, I did not succumb to pressure. I did not even succumb to pressure to tell you what people were telling me.

    “When the Chairman of the Governing Council came  to tell me of people being shortlisted for screening for the position of the VC, I told him to go do his job and he also let me know who (Salako) was selected based on his best performance.

    “Salako also came to me after his selection and I told him let’s discuss all that people were saying about you. I asked him you were part of the last administration that did not perform at the end.

    “His answers sweet my bele. He didn’t deny. He said yes but he was also part of Professor Balogun administration which performed well at the end of his tenure. You see, in the military, we say there is no bad soldier but bad officer that was why Salako did well during Balogun administration but not in another administration.

    “And I am happy that you (Governing Council) did your job with almost diligence and the fear of God. Chairman, may God continue to guide and direct you.

    “Prof Salako, the VC now, I congratulate you. I congratulate this university for having you at the helms of affairs at this point in time. God will do the job for you as God helped you through the Council to be appointed.

    “Judging by what we have heard about you, judging by what the university Council has found out about you, your performance before them and your brilliant speech here this afternoon, there is no reason why you should not do well.

    “But the Americans would say words are cheap. You must make sure that you constantly refer to what you have declared by yourself publicly that you will do so that you are keeping what you have put on the tablet that you will do.

    “Secondly, I think it is the acting VC that said the past is gone and forgotten. That is a mistake. If anybody had told me that when I was leaving public office in 1979   that we would have an Abacha running the affairs of Nigeria, I would say the man is mental. But we had an Abacha.

    “Never you take anything for granted. It can happen. It is your responsibility not to allow it to happen. Be a team player. I like the part you quoted in my book, “My Watch.” If you are succeeding people will want to pull you down.

    “People will be envious of you. If you are not succeeding, nobody will think about you. So, if people are trying to pull you down, regard it  also as a mark of success.

    “In your speech you asked us to stand up for a number of things including welfare. And I counted the number of things you asked us to stand up for, they are nine. On my own thinking and way of life, you left out the important tenth thing to stand up for, and that is the fear of God. May God grant you His fear to do what will please God and man.”

    In his speech, the new Vice Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Felix Kolawole Salako, pledged “not to hate or be vindictive” to those opposed to his emergence.

    Salako said he would “block leakages and ensure efficient utilization of funds” in FUNAAB.

    He reminded staff and students of the existing “rules and regulations” of the university, advising whoever that wants to exercise his freedom to do so within the ambit of such rules.

    He also warned against late – coming, absenteeism and non – responsiveness to official requests, saying the rules would be applied in the event of violations.

    “I have assured the Governing Council and all who listened to my earlier speeches since my emergence that I cannot afford to hate or be vindictive.

    “I’m conscious of the fact that in spite of opposition and attack, God still appointed  me through the University Governing Council. Therefore, I cannot fight God’s battle for him,” Salako said.

    He also  noted that he stands for ” professionalism, hard work, welfare, reward for noble achievements,”  among other things, vowing never to let down the guard of the university lest it be debased.

    “I shall not let down the guard of the university for it be debased. This shall not happen. This cannot happen,” he said.

    In his address, the Pro -chancellor, Dr Aboki Zhawa, noted that from the comments and remarks which trailed Salako’s emergence, he has “a lot of work to do.”

    He asked him to be wary of friends whose wishes may not help his administration, but have tendencies to sink it.

    Zhawa expressed the council’s unflinching support for the new helmsman’s success and urged members of the Senate to do same.

    He also asked unions and aggrieved members of FUNAAB not to be clogs in the wheel of progress.

    He advised them to  explore peaceful means of dispute  resolution and make court process a last resort.

    “Don’t act funny because it won’t be funny,” Zhawa warned.

    NAN

  • FUNAAB produces 203 First Class graduates

    FUNAAB produces 203 First Class graduates

    … Seeks FG’s nod to recruit more lecturers
    Federal University of Agriculture ( FUNAAB ), Abeokuta, has produced 203 First Class graduates and 2,878 others that made the Second Class Upper Division category between 2013 and 2016.
    The University added that a total of 1, 442 PhD, Masters and Postgraduate Diploma were produced within the same period.
    FUNAAB’s Acting Vice – Chancellor, Prof. Ololade Enikuomehin, made this known to reporters at the university campus, ahead of the 23rd, 24th and 25th combined convocation ceremonies.
    Ololade  who said FUNAAB remained committed to its mandate of teaching, research and extension for the purpose of producing competent  graduates, however, lamented that students’ population was beginning to overwhelm available hands required to train them.
    The Acting Acting Vice – Chancellor explained that the admission quota approved by the National Universities Commission(NUC) of 3,500 for the institution should also be matched by adequate provision of academic staff.
    He appealed to the Federal Government or the appropriate ministry to give FUNAAB approvals to recruit staff needed to ensure effective students’ training.
    Ololade also gave insight into why there is inadequate food supply in the country despite the many agricultural institutions in the country, including FUNAAB, saying government policies that were not properly situated on agriculture should be blamed for it.
    “The point to be made clear is this, the burden on the University is to do research and come out with outcomes and the extension to that, is that we will publicise what we have done but to take it beyond that level, is not our responsibility.
    “It is the responsibility of the government, responsibility of private sector and I think that is where there is a missing link in this country.
    “What we need is an effective government policy that harnesses research with the extension, with adequate policy framework and funding,” he said.
  • FUNAAB sacks 23 staff over festering internal crisis

    FUNAAB sacks 23 staff over festering internal crisis

    The crisis at the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Abeokuta, Ogun State, have worsened as its Governing Council allegedly sacked 18 staff of the university.

    Also, the Vice – Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, in separate move, allegedly relieved  five others  of their appointments.

    The decision to sack the affected university workers was reached at a meeting chaired  by the Chairman of the Council, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, who is reportedly being  investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

    The Nation learnt that those sacked included three members of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities; Lasun Somoye, Abdusalaam Sobbor and E.A. Bankole.

    The trio were said to have written a petition against the management of the institution to the anti-graft agency – the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) relied upon to interrogate the Vice – Chancellor and others recently.

    Also, the trio were earlier placed on suspension by the management of the institution since August 22 with half salary before the bigger hammer fell on them last Thursday.

    Others relieved of their jobs include three medical doctors – Dr Ajayi A.O., Dr Olaniran I.O. and Dr O.O. Salami, two health workers – Mr Oyero, a laboratory scientist and Miss K.O. Adeyemi, a medical record officer.

    According to the letter dated November 10, 2016 and signed by the School registrar, M.O. Ayoola, the school said the decision followed a re-organisation in the University system.

    “Due to re-organisation in the University system, the Governing Council has directed that your services are no longer required. Your appointment as… is therefore, terminated with immediate effect.

    “Please hand over all University property in your possession to the Head of your Department/Unit immediately, while your Staff Identification Card should be submitted at the Establishment and Human Resources Directorate of the Registry. Please note that you will be paid one month’s salary in lieu of notice,” the letter reads in part.”

    The Head, Directorate of Public Relations of the Institution, Emi Alawode, when contacted promised to send the university’s reaction but is yet to respond as at the time of filling the report.