Staff unions at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, FRIN, Ibadan, have commended the director general of the Institute, Professor Adepoju Olusola, over the recent promotion exercise at the institute.
Olusola, staffs who did not want name mentioned told OYOINSIGHT.COM, has not committed any crime by promoting some of their colleagues though accelerated method.
It would be recalled that Sahara Reporters, quoting those it called sources at FRIN, had alleged Olusola of illegally promoting staff members without regard for public service rules.
However, OYOINSIGHT.COM spoke with some staffers and leaders of staff unions within the research institute.
In a telephone chat, Mr. Erinle Olugbenga, said that “what the newspaper published was unsubstantiated and if one is not careful, he or she can find himself in court. Only those in the accounting department can authenticate that.”
Corroborating Erinle, Omolaiye Japhael, who is chairman of Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, SSAUTHRIAI, said that “the publication is not only lame but malicious. Accelerated promotion is not only legal, the board has the right to promote anybody they deem fit. Those who are promoted are my members and I cannot say I am not happy about it. In fact, we want more of our members to be promoted. We urge the board to consider this.”
However, the chairlady of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, Mrs. Olubunmi Adetona, initially declined comments.
She later said her association could not comment on something it knew nothing. “We didn’t know how they started their disagreement with the DG, so we cannot know how to dabble into it.”
Dr. Aina, chairman of the Association Staff Union of Research Institutes, ASURI, said he couldn’t comment until he sees our this reporter.
”I cannot comment on the phone. I am in the office, you can come and see me,” he said.
OYOINSIGHT.COM cannot however reach Adepoju as the time of press time.
