By Ebido Lucky, Head, Publications Unit
The Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators, Federal University Otuoke Branch, held the first conference of the Association with the theme: “Professionalism, Responsibility, Accountability: Empowering Teaching, Non-Teaching and Technical Staff for Synergy and Professionalism in the 21st Century University.”
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Promise Mebine, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Professor Chris Onyema, in his opening remarks, while declaring the conference open at the Professor Seth Accra Jaja School of Postgraduate Studies Auditorium in the University, said the ANUPA Code of Conduct is in line with the FUO vision of equal treatment, transformation, excellence, accountability and urged dormant unions to be active to contribute towards the growth of the University.
He said the Vice Chancellor is a member of the four unions in the University and highly interested in the welfare of staff, which he has demonstrated by being the first VC to pay CONTTA and CATTA to staff in the country.
The Vice Chancellor stated that the conference will promote staff co-existence and industrial harmony.
The Special Guest of Honour, Chief (Pastor) Reuben Clifford Wilson, Founder, “Pastor Reuben Wilson Initiative for Good Leadership and Accountability,” who was represented by Hon. William Alamene, in his goodwill message, described the theme of the conference as very apt, as the use of digital tools in University Administration has become necessary to enhance job performance in the workplace and expressed confidence in the ability of the resource persons to promote professional growth from their presentations, and donated One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) to the Association.
Earlier, the ANUPA FUO Branch Chairman, Comrade Douye Figilo, in his welcome address, said, “Professionalism gives our work standards, responsibility defines purpose, accountability makes trust visible, while redefining roles means applying enduring principles to new realities, embracing digital tools, communicating better, and collaborating across offices to make the University more responsive and efficient.”
In her Keynote Address on the theme of the Conference, the Registrar of FUO, Mrs. Andabi Amangi-Edomo, stated that professionalism reminds staff to deploy competence, integrity, responsibility is to take ownership of duties entrusted to them, accountability is to be answerable for actions and to use authority and resources properly, while synergy reminds staff that they can achieve more when we work together than when we operate in isolation, stressing that a competent professional who failed to take responsibility cannot contribute fully to institutional progress.
The Senate Officer of FUO, Mr. Kenekayoro Ebiowei Anthony, in his presentation on “Understanding the Roles of University System,” explained that the roles of Governing Council, Management, Vice Chancellor, Principal Officers, Staff and Students overlapping responsibilities may undermine functions if not properly defined.
Sir David Suowari, Pioneer Registrar of FUO, in his interaction with staff at the plenary session, noted that qualifications are not superior to another, adding that each category of staff is a professional in his or her area of employment.
He described the Registry as the hub of University Administration, which is the entry and exit door of staff and students, and also the interpreter of the laws and regulations.
Sir David Suowari lamented that professional administration is not yet a profession but an occupation and gave a glimmer of hope that stakeholders are taking steps to establish an Institute of University Administration that will bring about specialization in University Administration.
A Director at the Centre for Continuous Education, FUO, Dr. Tariere Dabipi, speaking on the topic “This Is My Duty, This Is Not My Duty,” charged Administrative Staff to rise up to the challenges of the time, know their boundaries, saying that when the duties of a staff are not known and understood, conflicts are bound to occur.
In her recommendations, Dr. Tariere Dabipi, the first Registry Director, listed review and communication of schedule of duties, establish standards of operation, promote inter-department collaboration, ensure regular coordination of meetings between academic and non-teaching staff and sending of minutes of meetings from faculties, departments, units, centres, institutes, colleges to the Registrar as measures to define responsibilities of staff to reduce conflicts.
Dr. Morufu Olalekan Raimi, a lecturer, researcher and consultant, while presenting on the topic “Code of Conduct: Professional Ethics and Accountability for University Staff,” highlighted four pillars of professional conduct as respect, reliability, integrity and communication.
According to Dr. Morufu Olalekan Raimi, accountability is taking ownership of one’s actions and enjoined staff to identify and disclose conflicts of interest promptly through appropriate channels in order not to undermine University policies.
Dr. Sani Abubakar of Federal Polytechnic Ekeowe and also a Fellow and Branch Chairman of Nigerian Institute of Management, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, presented a paper on “Customer Service, Confidentiality and Efficiency in University Administration,” stating that confidentiality is to collect, process and retain substantial amount of personal and institutional information such as students’ academic records, admission details, staff records and provide solutions whenever necessary within a reasonable time.
On his part, the Director ICT of FUO, Engr. Odio Abiobele, in his presentation on “ICT and Digital Transformation in University Administration,” informed that technology alone cannot transform a University but people, processes and technology must work together.
He advised staff to acquire digital skills to brace up to the demands of the digital era for efficient service delivery.
The high point of the seminar was the presentation of excellent and meritorious awards to deserving staff.
The training officer of ANUPA, Mrs. Seyi John Inebio, a Deputy Registrar, gave the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for approving the conference, resource persons for their insightful presentations, staff and everyone that contributed towards the success of the conference.
Dr. (Mrs.) Seiyefa Taylor Harry, National Treasurer of ANUPA, represented the National President, Dr. Victor Mikum Ben, while a Deputy Registrar, Mr. Solomon Oyinkepreye, represented the Registrar of Bayelsa Medical University, and delegates from sister Universities attended the Conference.
