AAU Management Holds Parley with Staff on Institutional Growth, Welfare

By Esosa Omorogbe

The Management of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, on Tuesday and Wednesday held its maiden interface with academic and non-teaching staff, where issues relating to institutional growth and development, staff and student welfare, payment of salaries and arrears, promotions, and other sundry matters took centre stage.

Addressing the separate sessions — Tuesday for academic staff and Wednesday for non-teaching staff — the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Eunice Eboiserehimen Omonzejie, said the meetings became necessary to foster engagement among equal stakeholders in the affairs of the University. “These meetings became necessary for us to engage as equal stakeholders in the affairs of the University,” she said.

“We have come a long way as staff of this University in our different capacities. We have gone through thick and thin. It is our belief that affliction will never arise again in our University.”

The Vice-Chancellor informed the staff that the institution now has “a listening Governor and Visitor,” Senator Monday Okpebholo, who she described as positively disposed towards the growth of the University. 

She also noted that the Governor appointed a “powerful and influential Governing Council” headed by Chief Dan Osi Orbih, which, according to her, has since hit the ground running.

Prof. Omonzejie further stated that, as equal stakeholders, it was important for Management to keep staff informed about ongoing efforts to reposition and grow the University. “I am happy to inform you that your welfare, as staff of this institution, is of great concern to us. We know that when you are well-motivated, you will transmit the same dedication to our students, whom we have the responsibility to train to become some of the best citizens of Nigeria,” she said.

She disclosed that her administration is committed to ensuring that all entitlements due to workers are paid without agitation.

A high point of the interface was the interactive session, during which staff members expressed their views without reservations. Issues raised were addressed by the Management.

It would be recalled that staff of the University, under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee of Unions (JAC), had recently protested what they described as “unlawful deductions” termed as tax. The workers, during a peaceful protest, demanded a reversal of the deductions. 

The development prompted the Management to convene a stakeholders’ meeting, which led to the establishment of a standing committee currently working on ways and means of addressing the concerns raised.

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