The Acting Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Prof.Adebola Babatunde Ekanola, has explained that communication gaps and paucity of funds were the factors responsible for the misunderstanding during the tenure of his predecessor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka.
Ekanola, who was appointed on Monday, maintained that the welfare of the university’s staff will be his number one priority.
Prof. Ekanola, who spoke at the congress of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff of Universities (NASU) of the university, said he would restore peace and bridge the communication gaps in the university.
The joint congress of SSANU and NASU held at the university, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Prof. Ekanola said:”First, we need to restore peace. The last months have been very turbulent. I think it is largely due to misunderstanding and communication gap. I can assure you that, being part of the immediate past administration under Prof. Idowu Olayinka who is my mentor as well as my boss, we had a lot of misunderstanding. I can assure you that he has the best interest of the university and its staff, both teaching and non-teaching, at heart. But I suppose we were not able to communicate effectively. That is why we had misunderstanding. I want to emphasize that I identify with all that Prof. Idowu Olayinka did because I was part of that administration.
Prof. Ekanola with union leaders.
“There were communication gaps which led to misunderstanding. I want to improve on our communication channel so that all of us can be in the same page and move ahead to collectively resolve our issues. As funds are coming, we will all benefit all our legitimate things.
“I want to say to the workers that it is rather unfortunate that we had go through what we went through. But I want to tell everyone of us, I’m also a worker, that we will collectively work for the realization of our aspirations and getting all our entitlements. We need to understand that it is only when workers are happy that they will be able to work very well. So, my number one priority will staff welfare.
“I can also assure us that as much as possible, the administration will be transparent and open. All the principal officers will be very accessible.
There will be effective communication, openness and transparency, we should not have any problem to work together as a united workforce of the University of Ibadan”.
Prof. Ekanola speaking with journalists after addressing Congress of SSANU and NASU on Wednesday
The joint congress was attended by leaders of SSANU and NASU, including Wale Akinremi, Etim Malachy and others.
Addressing the workers, the SSANU Chairman, Akinremi, lauded the VC for coming to meet them at the congress without informing him.
Akinremi added:”The presence of the VC has settled a lot of things. We are going to see his approach to issues. It is better to settle things amicably than allow things to linger on.
“He has started well and should be a father to all. He should embrace peace. He will enjoy our support and cooperation”.
