By Correspondent in Ilorin.
With the concept of diversification of the Nigerian economy gaining momentum,Mr Peters Adeyemi, the General Sectary, Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of Educational and Associated Institutions, has urged his colleagues in unionism to go beyond collective bargaining by taking dive into small scale ventures to boost welfare of members.
Adeyemi gave the advice on the sideline of the inauguration of NASU, University of Ilorin Branch Secretariat in Ilorin on Friday.
He noted that unionism now entailed venturing into financial generating efforts, through businesses that would at the long term support the members.
He commended Unilorin for engaging in modern unionism beyond collective bargaining to involve initiatives like the buidlng ofSecretariat for members, small scale ventures and its plan to build hostel accommodation for students.
He described the University of Ilorin Branch of NASU as a very loyal branch, pace setter and greatly rated among NASU chapters in Nigeria.
Adeyemi, however, frowned at the delay in paying the minimum wage arrears as well as the sharing formula of the recently approved N22,127 billion Earned Allowances for the four universities-based unions.
The NASU scribe, also decried the lopsidedness, where ASUU is to 75 per cent and other unions take 25 per cent, however,expressed deligent over the cordial relation between NASU and ASUU, noting that both unions had been working for the benefit and upliftment of their respective members.
Speaking at the event, Prof Sulyman Abdulkareem, Vice- Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, said the institution was the only of its kind in the country that did not cancel academic calendar occasioned byCOVID-19 pandemic.
Abdulkareem, who was represented by Prof. Olanrewaju Adedoyin, the Provost College of Health Sciences of the University, attributed the feat to the cooperation between the management of the university and various unions on campus, commended the unions for being partners in progress.
The Vice-Chancellor particularly commended the NASU for prioritising the welfare of members and for being prudent in the management of the union’s resources.
Earlier in his address of address, Mr Ibrahim Zubair, the Chairman of Unilorin Chapter of NASU, said the new secretariat complex with four offices, a relaxation room, a mini hall, eight shops and a restaurant, cost the union N28 million
Zubair added that the NASU executive,under his leadership,had also secured a portion of land to embark on hostel building with four blocks of 152 rooms.
Mr Moses Opaleke, Pension Desk Officer of the University,who delivered paper entitled: “An overview of Pension Reform Act 2014, Challenges and Prospects”, encouraged Nigerians still in active service to ensure they constantly update their records service an all their information tally,to avoid serious problem after retirement.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
