Sunday Saanu
Comrade Oluwaseun Faleye is the Chairman of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) chapter. He studied Political Science at Ekiti State University. However, there is no record to show that he has any stints with medical profession. But he suddenly became a kind of medical consultant to the FUOYE Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole recently to the amazement of those in attendance.
The Vice Chancellor who has been meeting various stakeholders in the university, including Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and National Association of Non- Teaching Staff of Nigerian Universities (NANTS) solicited the support of the unions in the fight against bad behaviours that have been giving the university a bad image, pleaded with the unions to join him in unfolding a new face of FUOYE.
Prof Ogunwole insisted that “the reason I am talking this way is because I don’t want unions to shield or fight on behalf of anyone who is caught damaging the image of the university. When we catch any staff member extorting students or engaging in sex-for- mark scandal, no union should solidarise with that kind of a person”
According to the Vice-Chancellor, any staff member caught engaging in extortion, the illegal collection of money from students, or sex-for-grade practices would face immediate suspension, adding that the university administration would no longer tolerate misconduct capable of damaging the institution’s reputation.
In his words: “Only the bursary unit is authorised to collect money from students. Lecturers and other staff involved in illegal collections will be dealt with accordingly.
We must educate our members and staff. During enforcement, some people may turn to the unions for protection, you should not condone evil. You must never defend such an ignoble act”, Professor Ogunwole said.
“Honestly, when I hear reports of bad behaviours of some of our staff members, I often find it difficult to sleep. My blood pressure is always on the rise because I don’t know why some of our staff members will be collecting money from students who are struggling to come to school. Many of these students are self-sponsored. Many don’t have money for breakfast before coming to school, yet, our people will be extorting them. This nonsense must stop”, Prof. Ogunwole maintained.
Interestingly, this was where SSANU Chairman stepped in with his medical expertise. Responding, Comrade Faleye who took a look at the face of the Vice Chancellor with sympathy said, “Sir, don’t allow your blood pressure to go up. Relax. Take a good care of your self. Ensure you have a regular sleep. We need you to stay healthy and well. The journey is still far. And we don’t want anything to affect your health”
As Comrade Faleye was giving this health talk, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Academic), Prof. Joshua Babatunde Omotoso who was also in attendance was reeling with laughter while the Coach himself, Prof. Ogunwole was looking deadpan.
According to Comrade Faleye, ” We are very happy to note that Prof. Ogunwole is a committed leader who hates indiscipline. After our background check, we realised that Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole is a no-nonsense man who will not tolerate maladministration. We are confident that the Vice-Chancellor will not tolerate corruption, and we are very happy,” Comrade Faleye said.
“SSANU has warned its members during its last Congress that corruption will not be tolerated under our amiable Vice-Chancellor. Anyone who is caught violating the rules is on his or her own. We will not join hands with anyone to do evil”, he stressed.
