Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has alleged that the current poor state of the nation’s education system is as a result of the wrong policies and programmes of government particularly the proliferation of tertiary institutions.
This is part of resolutions reached during the during the 69th Western Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) Meeting of the union hosted by the Ekiti State University Branch.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the National Vice President, Western Zone of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Comr. Abdussobur Olayiwola Salaam worried that both Federal and State governments have continued to establish universities even when the existing ones were not properly funded.
In his words, “When a state can not properly fund a University and they set up two or three, we can only do that when we don’t have problem.
“But when we have problem, having three Universities, we will need three governing councils, three VCs and all them will take salaries and emoluments.
“So for us, we advise the Government to amalgamate the their universities into one so that at the end of the day, they would be able to serve in terms of career capacity, without necessarily increasing the cost of governance.”
On his part, SSANU Chairman, EKSU Branch – Comr. Temidayo Azeez Aguda commended the governor of the State, Biodun Oyebanji for reinstating the members of the Union who have been ceased from working.
“As a matter of fact, it’s very unusual to see a union commending the Government.
“It’s too empirical, you can see. I want to tell you, before his emergence as Governor, there was a meeting organised by the embodiment of alumni, where they asked me, what do you want?
“I don’t have more than one prayer and I still maintain, it’s the reinstatement of our members.
“I want to sincerely appreciate the Government and the Governor, they have done so well.”
However, awards of recognition were given to four personalities namely, Engr Dipo Bamisaye, Asiwaju Oludotun Adetuberu, Professor Dipo Kolawole and Dr Omojola Awosusi.
Also in attendance were Vice Chancellor, Prof Edward Olanipekun represented by the DVC, Academics, Prof Ayodele Babatola Joseph, The Registrar, Ike Oluwole, Taiwo Egbejobi, SSANU National ex-officio, SSANU Women Coordinator, Comrade Bolanle Adebesin, among others.