The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University Otuoke (FUO) Branch, convened its 7th Regular Congress on December 16, 2024, at the Postgraduate School Auditorium, FUO. The congress focused on reviewing the state of the Union at both national and branch levels.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of SSANU FUO Branch, Comrade Kalizibe Joseph, who also represents the Congregation on the University’s Governing Council, expressed heartfelt gratitude to members for their unwavering support, which contributed to his emergence as a Council member.

Comrade Joseph highlighted some notable achievements of the Union over the year. “We are a Union committed to welfarism,” he remarked. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the Federal Government’s delay in paying the 25% and 35% salary increment arrears owed to staff of federal tertiary institutions. “We are aware of how the government treats its employees regarding remuneration and benefits. However, from the information shared by the National Chairman, high-level discussions are ongoing among stakeholders to alleviate our burdens. All hands are on deck to clear the backlog of arrears. The delays are due to the usual bureaucratic bottlenecks,” he stated.

He further assured members that significant progress had been made regarding the four months of withheld salaries owed to SSANU members. “The government had promised to pay 50% of the withheld salaries and has so far redeemed two months in two tranches as pledged. We are still awaiting the remaining two months,” he added.

Comrade Kalizibe Joseph addressed a critical issue concerning members who banked with Diamond (Access) Bank during the four-month industrial strike of 2021. Many of these members had yet to receive the second tranche of their one-month salaries. Comrade Joseph assured the Congress that the matter, which impacts staff across all federal universities, not just FUO, was presented to the National Chairman of SSANU. The Chairman disclosed that the Federal Government had deposited the funds with Access Bank, which had since been directed to disburse them. “We are optimistic that the payments will be made before the end of the week,” Comrade Joseph affirmed.

Turning to developments on the national stage, Comrade Joseph provided updates on key events, including the 2024 National Delegates Conference, where 15 delegates from SSANU FUO participated. The conference culminated in the re-election of the incumbent National Chairman for a second term. He also commended the pivotal role of the SSANU FUO Exco in the appointment of Mrs. Andabi Benita Amagi-Edomo, Deputy Registrar and Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, as the new substantive Registrar of FUO. Her emergence from a competitive selection process involving three other Deputy Registrars and one external applicant was hailed as a testament to SSANU FUO’s advocacy and strategic engagement.

Comrade Joseph further highlighted a notable trend: the increasing transition of administrative staff to the teaching cadre. He attributed this success to the robust relationship between SSANU and the Vice-Chancellor’s management team, which continues to foster opportunities for staff growth and development.

A significant moment during the Congress was the unveiling of the architectural design for the proposed SSANU FUO Secretariat. The project, already approved and with land allocated by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Teddy Charles Adias, is a groundbreaking initiative—the first of its kind among campus Unions.

The Congress concluded on a high note, serving as a forum for question and answers, reflection, reassurance, and a collective reaffirmation of SSANU’s dedication to promoting the welfare and aspirations of its members while advancing the Union’s legacy of impact and progress.

 

 

From Publications Unit