FUNAAB SSANU holds annual New Year prayer, honours retired members

From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) chapter, at the weekend, held its annual New Year prayer and honoured retired members of the association with various awards.

Speaking at the event held at the SSANU Secretariat on the university campus, the Chairman of the association, Fasunwon Williams, said the event was organized to usher members into Year 2025 with supplication to God for His protection.

He added that SSANU honoured members who retired between 2021 and 2024 in order to recognize their immense contributions and meritorious services as non-academic staff of FUNAAB.

Fasunwon further stated that the contributions of the 41 retired members to the development and growth of the union and university were enormous and could not be overlooked.

He said that they stood by the union in struggles and served in various committees, brokered peace when required and advised the executives as required of their status.

The FUNAAB SSANU chairman, however, appealed to the management of the institution to allow the non-academic staff to convert to preferred professional cadres after acquiring prerequisite academic qualifications.

Williams argued that the years, effort, finances, sacrifices and stress put in to acquire those additional degrees were enough to qualify them for conversion.

He noted that in some institutions, their rules and regulations made it automatic for non-academic staff with additional qualifications to get converted, on presentation of certificates.

“Just as it is automatic for an academic staff to be upgraded to Lecturer 11 on attainment of a PhD without any additional conditions, the same rule should be applied for non-academic staff”, he said.

Fasunwon expressed gratitude to the management of the institution for the positive roles played in improving the welfare of SSANU members in several ways, the major one being the year 2024 promotion exercise.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olusola Kehinde, appreciated the retired staff for roles played in the smooth running of the institution.

The VC stressed that the university management was committed to the welfare of staff which included prompt promotion.

He added that the management had enjoyed an atmosphere of peace and cordiality with SSANU.

“The present Governing-Council of the institution remains committed to overall growth and peace within the university community,” Prof Kehinde stated.

The high point of the event was an award presentation to the General Overseer of the Victory Life Bible Church, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, Professors Ololade Enikuomehin and Lateef Sanni, for their roles in 2016/2017 to restore peace to FUNAAB.