SSUCOEN, EACOED, Oyo Hosts 38TH Southwest Zonal Delegates Conference

…as EACOED Provost, Adefabi restates commitments to staff development, training and welfare

The Provost, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, Dr. Rasak Adetunji Adefabi, JP has restated the commitment of his administration towards staff development, welfare and retraining for optimal productivity. The EACOED Chief Executive dropped this hint at the recently concluded 38th Zonal Delegates Conference of the Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) held at Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo.

The Union Activist-turned-Provost in welcoming Zonal leadership and delegates of SSUCOEN, reeled out some of his Management’s efforts on staff welfare. According to him, “our administration has never relented in our staff training policy. Our SSUCOEN Branch Executive would bear us witness that many members have benefitted from different College Training Programmes among which were the ICDL- Computer Training Programme, Advanced Digital Appreciation Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI) and Center for Ethics and Self Value Orientation Retreat. All these are targeted at improving our staff on the job”.

On staff promotion, the Iseyin-born technocrat maintained that while the Oyo State Government under the leadership of Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, FNSE has been consistent in payment of monthly salaries, we have ensured stability in staff promotion. “I make bold to say that we have no outstanding promotion exercise as we are looking forward to the 2022 promotion exercise”, he stated.

In his address, the Zonal Chairman, SSUCOEN, South West, Comrade Akinniyi Akinleye lauded the Management of Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo for being a worker-friendly management which manifested in the implementation of the CONTEDISS 15 for Deputy Registrars and Deputy Bursars. According to him, “There is a visible and reported progressive working relationship existing between the Management of this College and the Chapter Executive. This, we have noted, as a plus for the College Management, that is seen to be union-friendly and concerned about the welfare interests of our members. As a Union, we desire to constantly maintain a state of equilibrium in our Colleges devoid of industrial actions and anomie. This can only be possible if Employers/Managements are union-friendly, welfare-conscious and maintain positive working relationship within and without the Unions. We hope that this model of relationship existing in this College be sustained and strengthened for the mutual benefit of both parties. We shall always cooperate with the Management to move the College forward even as we reach out to the Governor of the state and other critical stakeholders to fulfill their obligations and assist the College with adequate resources required for optimum maintenance of this foremost Teacher Education Institute in the Country.”

Speaking further, he highlighted some of the achievements of his Zonal leadership to include the following:

i. Removal of dichotomy amongst state and federal colleges in the implementation of Scheme of Service, Conditions of Service and agreements. This we have been able to achieve by our insistence on the oneness of College of Education System with the supervisory body: National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE). We have agreed that accreditation and re-accreditation of course of studies be hinged on the implementation of provisions in these aforementioned documents. We have also agreed and ensure that all correspondences as well as clarifications to Federal Colleges of Education on personnel matters by the Commission be addressed to State Colleges.

ii. Due recognition given to the Union since the disarticulation from SSAUTHRIAI and eventual certification in 2013 by several invitations and participations in numerous fora on Education Reform organised by the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Education, consultations and attendance at the Senate and House of Representative public hearings on funding and reforms and several others.

iii. FGN/SUUCOEN agreement of 2010 that gave rise to many welfare packages including 53.37% salary increment, Peculiar Non-Teaching Allowance, 65 years retirement age, Sabbatical appointment amongst others.

iv. Achievement of CONTEDISS 15 for Non-Teaching staff and consolidation of salaries of Registrar, Bursar and Librarian.

v. Constant interface with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission that saw to the release of the consequential adjustment table for National Minimum Wage 2019.

vi. Review of the Act that established Colleges of Education (1988 and 1998) that has been passed into law by the Senate a forthnight ago and awaiting the concurrence of the Federal House of Representative.

vii. Successful agitation for enjoyment of TETFUND Training Grant by Non-Teaching Staff for Conference and workshop attendance.

While urging members to be very supportive, he states “Our dear members, let me state that your welfare interests have always been and will continue to be paramount in the minds of the leadership of the Union at all levels. Your continued co-operation, support, payment of dues and active participation in the activities of Union, particularly attendance of Congress meetings is therefore solicited. I must salute the sacrifice made by our members in this Chapter by payment of levy for the successful hosting of this Delegates Conference.

Earlier in his welcome address, the EACOED Branch Chairman, SSUCOEN, Comrade Victor Folu Oluokun commended the Zonal leadership for granting his branch the hosting right. While thanking the College Management under the leadership of Dr. Rasak Adetunji Adefabi for being friendly to SSUCOEN and for bringing stability to promotion in the College, he used the occasion to specially thank members of his Union for the tremendous support his team is enjoying from them all.