The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Federal University Otuoke branch, has commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Promise Mebine and the Bursar, Dr Pereteowei Topman Suwari, for the prompt payment of six months’ CONTTA arrears to members from internally generated revenue.
The Branch Chairman, Comrade Oye Ake, gave the commendation on Wednesday at the general congress of the union held at the Prof Seth Accra Jaja School of Postgraduate Studies Auditorium, West Campus.
Ake said only Federal University Otuoke and the University of Uyo had paid the arrears among federal universities in the country.
He said the branch executive attended the SSANU National Executive Council meeting at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, where the renegotiated 2026 agreement with the Federal Government was signed.
According to him, the agreement contains financial and career structure benefits and has reserved some units as exclusive preserves for non-teaching staff to head.
He listed the units to include Academic Planning, Works and Services, ICT, Public Relations, Medical Services, Physical Planning and SERVICOM, adding that the branch would submit the agreement to the Vice-Chancellor to reverse posting of academic staff to head such units.
Ake said the Media and Communication Directorate created by the previous administration was alien to the university career structure, noting that what is obtainable is Media and Public Relations Unit.
He urged members in the unit to remain steadfast and disregard the directorate structure.
On national issues, Ake said SSANU national had directed vice-chancellors and bursars to deduct a national levy from members, adding that the directive generated intense debate at the Bauchi meeting.
On branch matters, he said the union had written to the bursar for restoration of responsibility allowance to members who lost it after the last posting and for extension of the allowance to members heading units or departments.
He also thanked the Vice-Chancellor for approving notional promotion for staff on study leave and lateral conversion for staff wrongly placed despite higher qualifications.
Ake announced a one per cent deduction from members for the ongoing SSANU secretariat project, with 10 per cent of the sum for welfare, adding that work was slowed by need to reinforce the foundation and by weather.
He cautioned members against attacks on leaders on the union’s platform and expressed displeasure over a post comparing him with a former chairman, Comrade Joseph Kalizibe, whom he described as a veteran in the struggle for staff welfare.
In their reactions, members including Mr Sidi Zibo Geoffrey, Mrs Oluwaseye Inebio John, pioneer chairman Comrade Kalizibe, Branch Secretary Comrade Lawrence Akpama and others called for unity, proper engagement and understanding over the national levy.
The congress, which started at 11:08am with adoption of agenda moved by Comrade Iyaronin Ewa Lucky and seconded by Mr Emeka Nwora, ended at 12:36pm on a motion by Mr Ebido Lucky, seconded by Mr Okpokpolom Bobby.
