Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has scored another first, this time in the labour terrain of Ogun State by being the first higher institution to produce the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ogun State.
A former Director in the Directorate of Environmental Management of the University, Comrade Emmanuel Bankole flew the kite and hoisted the flag of the University full mast at the summit of industrial umpire in the State by emerging the State Chairman of NLC overwhelmingly in a popular election that was adjudged to be free and fair.
The monumental feat which is unprecedented in the annals of history of FUNAAB is also the first of its kind in the existence of tertiary institutions in Ogun State.
Just with five delegates from FUNAAB, the popularity and acceptability of Com. Bankole who intimidatingly enjoyed the overwhelming electoral support of other unions, cutting across board, conspicuously came into play.
Bankole who is the immediate past National Vice-President and former branch (FUNAAB) Chairman of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) polled 237 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Comrade Benco who managed 152 votes while Comrade Olakanmi polled 48 votes.
Solidarity took the centre stage on the day of election as all other unions on campus threw their electoral weight behind the aspiration of SSANU’s Comrade Bankole.
The spirit of United We Stand, Divided We Fall reigned supreme in the University as usual as news of the election of Comrade Bankole ignited and stoked fire of celebration on campus, irrespective of membership of union.
Even the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kolawole Salako was not exempted in the modest celebration, as typical of his father to all unions disposition, he forwarded online media reports of the victory to relevant arms of the University.
Meanwhile, Comrade Bankole has disclosed that the core mission of his administration is to enhance management/labour unions relationship.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with FUNAAB Bulletin, the State NLC Chairman said “we are going to foster and enhance industrial harmony so that we can have less of industrial unrest”.
