Newly formed Congress of University Academics (CONUA) recently held its first stakeholders meeting at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife from 4th – 6th October, 2019.
Present at the meeting were delegates from the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAUE); Federal University, Lokoja (FULOK); Federal University Oye, Ekiti (FUOYE); Kwara State University, Malete (KWASU) and the host institution, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
Before the meeting was declared opened, courtesy visits were made to important stakeholders of the host institution, including the Vice Chancellor Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede. Speaking to journalists in Ife, Professor Ogunbodede expressed optimism that the coming of CONUA within the education landscape will support the growth of the Nigeria education system, and restore the values for which academics were hitherto known.
At the meeting, challenges militating against the smooth running of academic calendars in Nigeria Universities were discussed.
Meanwhile, the Congress resolved to proffer solutions to these problems, through constructive engagements with emphasis on the critical stakeholders such as the Government, Members of academic staff within and outside the university, and the Students who bear the brunt of incessant academic disruptions in the nation’s universities.
In a related development, executives for National Steering Committee (NSC), for the Union were appointed in which Dr. Niyi Sunmonu (OAU) emerged as the National Coordinator and Dr. Hanson Iyawe, (AAUE) as the Deputy National Coordinator; Dr. Abdulhameed Salau (FULOK) as the Deputy National Coordinator II; Dr. Henri Oripeloye (OAU) as the National Secretary; Dr. Issa Abdulraheem (KWASU) was appointed the Assistant National Secretary.
Others include Dr. Nwoke Ernest (AAUE) Publicity Coordinator; Dr. Bola Isaiah (KWASU) Financial Secretary; Mrs. Rebbeca Ojo (FUOYE) Treasurer; Dr. Ayodeji Ige (FUOYE) Legal Adviser I and Dr. Misbau Lateef (OAU), Legal Adviser II.
