Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, IAUE begs National body of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to recall IAUE branch.

The Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Joseph Kinanee has appealed to the National body of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to recall IAUE branch.

He made the appeal when he met with the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Port Harcourt Zone Professor Beke T. Sese and his team who were at the campus to interact with their members.

The Vice Chancellor who stated that it would not have been nice considering his hospitable nature for them to come to the campus without him asking to see them. He stressed that he owes IAUE chapter of ASUU a great deal as he had enjoyed a peaceful and harmonious relationship with them since he came upon his present position.

He enjoined the Zonal Coordinator to appeal to the National body of ASUU to recall IAUE branch adding that with the good relationship established, he would assist them to make it materialise. He also informed Professor Sese and his team that plans were on to provide a befitting Staff Club for ASUU members to recreate after work saying that the Staff Club meant for relaxation and unwinding would reduce stress resulting from too much hard work.

The Vice Chancellor revealed that the IAUE Budget monitoring committee (BMC) made up of the chairpersons of ASUU, SSANU and NASU and others that had been inaugurated had been functional and working. He furthermore said that he had restored and paid up ASUU check off dues and promoted deserving Staff who were due. He congratulated the National Welfare Officer, Dr. Emylia Jaja for her position at the National level for the second time.

Professor Kinanee thanked the National body of ASUU for show of love, support and intervention in the well being of IAUE members inspite of the branch being suspended at the national level and promised his assistance. He commended IAUE ASUU Chairman Dr. Ugochukwu Agi for functioning and working for the course of the union even in the midst of the challenges.

The Zonal Coordinator of Academic Staff Union of Universities Port Harcourt zone, Professor Beke T. Sese in his response thanked the Vice Chancellor for extending the invitation to them. He said that they had come to ask IAUE ASUU to take some vital decisions about members and was pleased and humbled that the Vice Chancellor asked to see them to reason along with the union.

He opined that it was rare for that kind of disposition to happen considering the antagonist disposition by the previous administration. Professor Sese said that he was glad that the report that they had heard about Professor Joseph Kinanee was true and good and encouraged him to continue and keep up the good work.

The Zonal Coordinator pointed out that Vice Chancellors were first and foremost ASUU members and should partner with the union for the Progress, growth, development of the institution and welfare of members. ASUU according to him, was known for discipline and due process and violation of its rules was therefore not tolerated. He noted that he was aware of efforts made to recall IAUE branch and welcomed them to attend Zonal Meetings. Other branches had according to him gone through the same process after their suspension because the union was not in the habit of bending its rules.

Professor Beke T Sese affirmed that he was certain that with determination and good will the union would get back and promised to make the appeal to the National body for the branch to be recalled. Welfare of members he said was paramount and priority.

The Zonal Coordinator ASUU, Port Harcourt zone described Professor Joseph Kinanee as a messiah and light brought to people suffering and in bondage and reminded him that he would spend more time as an ASUU member than as a Vice-Chancellor adding that posterity would judge him if he worked hard for the well being of staff and the university.

Professor Sese said that the presence of the Vice Chancellor would help ASUU IAUE to prepare to be one of the strongest in the zone and described him as a God sent and the Vice-Chancellor of a Potentially strong zone. He also Prayed God to grant him youthfulness and strength to carry out the good work.

The Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Port-Harcourt Zone, Professor Beke T. Sese was accompanied on the visit by the ASUU National Welfare Officer Dr. Emylia Jaja, the Niger Delta University ASUU chairperson Dr Stanley Ogoun, and the Rivers State University of Science and Technology ASUU chairperson Dr. Suobere T. Puyate.