The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Unilorin Branch, has restated its commitment to a stable academic calendar in the University, assuring the University administration of its continuous support towards taking the institution to greater heights.

The Union Chairman, Dr. Usman Adebimpe Raheem, stated this last Wednesday (March 9, 2016) when he led members of the newly elected Executive Council of ASUU, Unilorin Branch, on a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), in his office.

Dr. Raheem said, "This is the continuation of the last executive. We are on the same page with the administration and we have made a choice against forces of destabilization. There is no fence to sit on. We believe in stability and we must actively maintain the momentum in place". The ASUU Chairman, however, told the Vice-Chancellor that while the Union intends "to be as friendly as possible", it "would also be as forceful as possible when it comes to members' welfare matters.

Stressing that members of the Union should not be allowed to suffer, Dr. Raheem said that the Union would be rendered irrelevant if the welfare of members is treated with levity. He told the Vice-Chancellor, "When we ask for what is due to us, we may not insist on 100 percent, but we will push for and ensure that we get 99 percent". The ASUU leader thanked the Vice-Chancellor for facilitating the purchase of land by some of the Union members, calling for expedited action on the physical allocation of the land to their respective owners whom he said have already got the Right of Occupancy.

Dr. Raheem, who is a Lecturer in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, also raised the issue of the "Hazard Allowance", which he said is "the current song on campus". He said that the Union wants a re-assurance from the management that the allowance would be implemented once the 2016 Federal Budget is passed into law by the National Assembly.

The Union leader thanked the University management for "normalizing the promotion of academic staff" as he pleaded for the early release of the call for the next promotion exercise. He also tasked the University management for the timely release of the Ways and Means, stating also that financial benefits attached to promotion should be promptly implemented.

On the issue partial accreditation for some courses, Dr. Raheem noted that it is not good enough, attributing it to shortage of facilities and personnel. He requested the administration to look into the payment of sundry allowances to non-MB; BS graduates teaching identical courses. "You promised to implement anything that will benefit us and we have no reason to doubt you", he concluded. In his response, the Vice-Chancellor said he was pleased to know that the Union is on the same page with the administration, noting that the stability the University of Ilorin has enjoyed over the years has made the institution unique in the country.

Prof. Ambali said, "Anyone that loves tertiary education in Nigeria and the University of Ilorin will do the best to sustain the stability asset the University possesses", adding that "the stability we have should not be mortgaged for personal interest".

The Vice-Chancellor explained that the University has remained stable because it has been on the same page with the various unions on campus, stressing that the stability is leading to tangible investment in the area of alternative energy and construction of new hostels accommodation by well-meaning private entrepreneurs. He said that the stability enjoyed by the University makes it easy to sell the institution to donors and sponsors.

Assuring the Union that the University management would adequately reciprocate its cooperation, Prof. Ambali said, "The management is ready to cooperate with you and we will make your work easier and apparent". The Vice-Chancellor also promised to look into the land issue to see areas where the University administration could intervene.

On the issue of the hazard allowance, Prof. Ambali said that this and other allowances had been included in the University's budget proposal and assured that they would be implemented once the 2016 budget is passed into law. The Vice-Chancellor said that the normalisation of the promotion exercise would be maintained, noting that the administration is happy to see people promoted because it positively impacts their performance on the job. He called on the Departments with partial accreditation to see themselves as the beneficiary of the various accreditation exercises and take positive steps to ensure that their programmes get full accreditation.

Prof. Ambali then congratulated the newly elected ASUU Executive Council members on their election and wished them a successful tenure. Other ASUU officers on the visit were the Secretary, Dr. (Mrs.) M. Y. Lewu; the Assistant Secretary, Dr. Alex Akanmu; the Treasurer, Dr. R. Jimoh; the Financial Secretary, Dr. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Owolabi; the Auditor, Dr. (Mrs.) Binta Ibraheem, and Prof. A. A. Adeoye, Ex-Officio.

The Vice-Chancellor was joined to receive the ASUU leaders by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. (Mrs.) N. Y. S. Ijaiya; the Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel D. Obafemi; the University Librarian, Dr. Joseph Omoniyi; the Bursar, Mr. Saka Abiodun Yusuf; the Deputy Director, Corporate Affair, Mr. Kunle Akogun; and the Principal Assistant Registrar in the Vice-Chancellor's Office; Mr. A. Sayuti. Also present during the visit was the immediate past Chairman of Unilorin ASUU, Prof. AbdulRasheed Adeoye.