By joshua 
SSANU Commends Outgoing FUL Vice-Chancellor, Calls for Cabinet Appointment
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) at Federal University Lokoja has praised the outgoing Vice-Chancellor Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi for his remarkable achievements, citing initiatives like the Directorate of Consultancy and Venture, and improvements in staff welfare.
The union is hosting the 14th Zonal Executive Council Meeting, North Central Zone as well as celebrating its first year in office.
The SSANU, Chairman highlighted successes such as securing a waiver for promotion examination cadre and implementing CONTISS 15 Cadre.
In his welcome address, the SSANU Chairman urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint Prof. Akinwumi to his cabinet, citing his contributions to education.
He described Prof. Akinwumi’s tenure as one that has been widely acknowledged as one of the most impactful in FUL’s history, with achievements in academic culture consolidation, infrastructural development, and staff welfare.
In his remarks, the SSANU National President, advised the Federal Government not to use divide and rule in trying to negotiate better welfare for workers, under the various academic unions in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
The National President, SSANU, Comr. Mohammed Ibrahim gave the advice in a goodwill message at the Zonal Executive Council Meeting, North Central Zone, expressed disappointment at the funfare that heralded the unveiling of the 2025 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement signed recently after two decades.
The SSANU National President, lamented that Government has over the years paid lip services to the welfare of University workers. He insisted that University workers should be well catered for, far and above any worker in the country aside Security Agencies if they are expected to produce well baked graduates.
” Our Government has not done well in the remuneration of University workers. They should not introduce divide and rule. The semblance of peace Nigeria is enjoying today is a product of Union struggle”.
” Presently, two out of our four withheld salary’s has been paid. We are using this medium to call for the payment of the remaining two months. There is nothing too much that should be made in making our University’s, institution that help in manufacturing human capital for the nation’s industry”.
” I urge the Government to improve on the welfare of Workers and students. There is the need for well equipped hostels and clinics. Our government should understand that the strategic position of University Education in development, makes it one that cannot be relegated”.
” It is unfortunate that two decades after, our Government will reinvigorate the 2009 agreement with ASSU. This Policy of divide and rule will not help us. Treat other Union the same”.
” It is really unfortunate that it took this time for Government to discuss with one union, against the other sister Union. We all buy from the same market”.
” I call for the fast tracking of the negotiation process with SSANU. We are the mother of all Union’s in the University. Governance should not be about publicity but action. This half measure agreement entered into with one of the Union, will only create more tension to those you signed agreement with and others yet to be attended to”.
” SSANU will not accept to play the second fiddle. Everybody is important in the University system and no one will be left out in negotiations that will improve welfare and to also stop the incessant strikes in our tertiary institutions”.
The SSANU National President, lamented the State of the Abuja Lokoja Federal High way that is still under construction for over two decades, wondered why a road that was started over two decades ago, causing untold hardship for the people, should be left abandoned.
“Lokoja and Kogi people deserve better from this Government. This road has been under construction since 1999. Lokoja is historic. The Abuja Lokoja road is a gateway. Until the government begins to prioritize the welfare a of the people, so that the essence of governance will not be lost”.
The National President described the appointment of Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, as VC of the Federal University Lokoja, remains commendable, attributed the giant strides his administration witnessed as a product of working with a good team.
“Prof. Akinwumi made success because he is a good listener and a Leader, appreciated the cordial relationship that existed between him and SSANU during his tenure.
“SSANU is a strategic Union in tertiary institution”, urge union leaders and members of SSANU to be patriotic, discipline, work towards fostering good and cordial relationship in the University, commended leadership of SSANU, Lokoja branch for the milestone they have attained.
In there separate remarks, the ASUU and NASU Chairman, FUL Kogi State Chapter, said it doors are open for continued dialogue for issues of workers welfare,
Similarly, Comr. Abubakar Aliyu, the North Central Vice President of SSANU, expressed appreciation that the report from the Lokoja Branch of SSANU shows that the branch is doing well, added that the meeting is to discuss issues pertinent to the Union in the area of welfare.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of award of excellence to the Vice Chancellor, FUL, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi as well as the Ground breaking ceremony of SSANU Secretariat, FUL Branch.