23 January 2015
The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Branch, recently commissioned its 18-Seater Hummer Bus at the NASU Secretariat Office, purely for commercial use. The Branch Chairman of NASU, Comrade Isiaq Odunjo, expressed his appreciation to Comrade Kolawole Adenekan, the National Deputy President of the Union; Comrade Femi Soetan, the State Chairman; and the State Secretary, Comrade Alafiatayo Bidemi, for attending the programme and their unflinching support for the Union, assuring that the Union would not let them down. He also commended the Branch members for their support, doggedness, endurance and trust.
Recounting the achievements made so far by the Union since the beginning of this tenure as Chairman in the last two years, Comrade Odunjo reminded the gathering about the goals the Union had set for itself from the outset, such as to resuscitate the Branch, to promote the interest of its members, to discuss issues that concern members without resulting into violence and to institutionalise the scholarship programme for its members and their children. He also informed the gathering that about N800,000 had been spent on the scholarship programme, with special focus on the junior members who earn less than N50,000 per month, adding that the money came in from generous individuals and not from the Union’s purse, while 84 members that were previously laid off from work had been re-called. Another 154 of the Union’s members, who were on casual appointment, had also been converted to contract appointments. Another achievement that was worthy of commendation, was the 100 percent promotion, which the Union was able to secure for its junior categories of members. Comrade Odunjo stated that the secret of these achievements was hinged on effective negotiation, discussion and communication with the relevant authorities, as he implored members to see strike action or protest as the last resort.
He added that about N700,000 was spent to furnish the secretariat while another remarkable achievement was initiating the ongoing Shopping Mall, which has 25 shops and should generate nothing less than N1,500,000 into the coffers of the Union.
The State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Femi Soetan, applauded the progress and the achievements of the Union, saying it was remarkable, indeed. Comrade Femi, who could not hide his feeling at the occasion, wondered how the Union would have been without having its own secretariat. He, however, corrected the wrong impression that NASU was meant for the junior staff only. Rather, he said NASU belonged to both senior, as well as junior staff, as he challenged members of the Union to always speak in one voice. Comrade Femi described FUNAAB-NASU as a ‘pace-setter’, especially for having in place a standardised and institutionalised scholarship programme.
The NASU’s National Deputy President, Comrade Kolawole Adenekan, charged the executive of the Union to be focused, noting that if they wished to remain as good leaders, they should be ready to defend the interest of members from time to time, provide welfare for them as well as infrastructural facilities. He also implored NASU members to trust their leaders, support and co-operate with them. Other dignitaries present at the occasion include Comrade Ismail Bayonle, National Executive Member for the Ogun State Council; the Union’s Branch Secretary, Comrade Samson Edivri; the Union’s Branch Treasurer, Comrade Yinka Afaraetu; and other top executive members of the Union.
