The Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Babatunde Kehinde has reiterated the University’s commitment to be gender responsive in research, learning, character and community engagement for transformative development.
Prof. Kehinde made this known at a Stakeholder’s Workshop on FUNAAB Gender Responsiveness in Agricultural Research for Improved Institutions Outcomes and Development held at the university.
While addressing participants at the programme, the Acting Vice-Chancellor stated that the Gender Policy document will aid the Institution to continue to be in the front row in leading inclusive practices, ensuring the University is well positioned to respond to emerging gender equity challenges for all round progress and development.
He recalled that the University in 2016 took laudable steps to be more gender committed and accountable by documenting and institutionalizing FUNAAB Gender Mainstreaming Document. He added that this led to the birth of Gender Document Review Committee (GDRC) by the Senate in 2021 to review the existing gender document and came up with an operational Gender Policy for the University.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor however commended the immediate past Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kolawole Salako for initiating and believing in the Gender Policy Review Committee which started during his tenure.
He also appreciated the Chairperson, FUNAAB Gender Policy Review Committee, Prof. Petra Abdulsalam-Saghir and other committee members for their untiring efforts towards ensuring the success of the Policy.
Prof. Kehinde therefore stated that the University cherished the beautiful collaborations and developmental relationships between FUNAAB and African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD).
On her part, the Chairperson FUNAAB Gender Policy Review Committee, Prof. Saghir said the Policy was launched in order to improve institutional outcomes and development.
Prof. Saghir clarified that gender sensitivity is different from women empowerment, saying that whenever gender issues are being discussed, it is not all about women alone but both sexes.
She sued for gender balance, equity and justice, stressing that the society should extend the same opportunity accorded a male child to his female counterpart.
Goodwill Messages congratulating the Management and Prof. Saghir for the giant stride made towards the achievement of the Gender Policy Review were presented by the representative of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the University Librarian, Prof. Fehintola Onifade among others.
