Education
Two positions declared vacant as Alex Akanmu becomes UNILORIN ASUU Chairman
A Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, has emerged as the new Chairman of the University’s Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
He would lead the UNILORIN ASUU for the next two years, ROYAL NEWS reports.
Checks revealed that two positions; Assistant Secretary and Welfare Officer, are vacant during the contest while the electoral committee was mandated to fill the two positions within two weeks after the inauguration of the new executive.
‘Alex Power’, as he is fondly called, was declared winner of the election, which held simultaneously last Tuesday (September 19, 2023) at the University Main Auditorium and College of Health Sciences.
Dr Akanmu polled a total of 363 votes against his closest rival, Dr Olatunji Ganiyu, who got 254 votes while Prof. Kasum Abubakar Sadiq recorded 54 votes to take the third position in the keenly contested election.
Announcing the result, the Convener (Chairman) of the Electoral Committee, Prof. Rowland Kayode, disclosed that the outcomes of the election were true reflections of the desires of members of the Union.
Other elected officers are Dr Rasheedah F. Aliyu-Ibrahim, who was elected Vice Chairperson with 650 votes; Comrade Adeshina Ibrahim, who became the Secretary with 636 votes; Comrade Ojediran Ojudola who scored 635 votes, Internal Auditor; Dr Taofiq Olarenwaju Lawal, who garnered 637 votes to retain his position as the Investment Secretary, Comrade Raji Lukuman Oladimeji, who got 554 votes to emerge as the Financial Secretary while Comrade Raji Abdullateef polled 559 votes to become the Treasurer of the Union.
In his acceptance speech titled, “What has not come and has not come”, Dr Akanmu, declared,” I applied for this job. I am fully prepared with a clear road map for the job. I will do well, by the special grace of God”.
He appealed to members of the Union to redirect their minds to what is best for them, adding, “We have lived so much on I was told for so long. Our members must again be educated on the rules governing the University system, our identity recover as a Union, our expectations without becoming slaves in our land, and our loyalty to the system and not to an individual”.
In his remarks, a leader of the Union and the Zonal Coordinator (ASUU-Ibadan Zone), Prof. Oyebamiji Oyegoke, declared that two positions, Assistant Secretary and Welfare Officer, are vacant, urging the electoral committee to fill the two positions within two weeks after the inauguration of the new executive.
He, however, expressed gratitude to all leaders and members of the Union for turning out in large number and conducting themselves peacefully.
Earlier in his remarks, a former President of the Union, Prof. Nasir Fagge, said that the crisis experienced by the University of Ilorin’s chapter of the Union, which persisted for a long time, was not only unfortunate but also a mistake on both sides.
He, however, disclosed that the Union has successfully resolved all issues, and there is now unity in the UNILORIN’s chapter of the Union.
Comrade Fagge said, “We have witnessed unity in action. Today, we are here with our members and the administration, and everyone is contented. We do not have any problem. This is why we are here to inaugurate the new secretariat building. We believe that this unity will continue to thrive. All the problems in the branch have been addressed. We are also confident that by working collaboratively, both the union and the administration can tackle many of the issues affecting the University and further be in a position to contribute to addressing the problems facing Nigerian universities”.
Prof. Fagge urged them to ‘remain steadfast and continue the struggle to ensure that we have a robust university system in Nigeria, particularly as the nation’s University system needed to compete effectively on the international stage.
“We are confident that we have the necessary capabilities to achieve this. The government is introducing new initiatives, and we believe that by working together with unity, we can address most of the system’s challenges”, he added.
In his comment, the immediate past Chairman of the chapter, Prof. Saliu Moyosore Ajao, who thanked Allah for His graces, said that the election provided an opportunity for members to choose who will lead the Union for the next two years.
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