By Olu Benjamin
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has applauded the leadership qualities of the outgoing Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK), Professor Suleiman Bala-Mohammed credited with transforming the institution.
Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, President of the union led the applause of the outgoing VC at a Special Valedictory Congress held by the union’s NSUK branch held at the university in Keffi local government area of Nasarawa State on Monday.
Our reporter reports that the topic of the congress lecture delivered by Prof. Adegboyega Kolawole from the University of Abuja is “The peregrination of Prof. Suleiman Bala-Mohammed as a comrade and university administrator”.
Prof. Suleiman Bala-Mohammed’s tenure is expected to end on April 2, 2024 hence the special Congress held in his honour by the union.
Leading the union in an interview with newsmen, Osodeke said Bala-Mohammed made the union proud with the developmental strides achieved in the university during his tenure as Vice Chancellor.
“As we all know he has served his tenure and during that time he changed the system in terms of infrastructure, human development and remuneration of staff. He impacted in the lives of everybody.
“If you go round the institution, all the Tertiary Education Fund money given to develop the school was properly used and accounted for.
“He has done very well and we hope other Vice Chancellors will emulate him in the interest of our young boys and girls,” he said.
Also speaking, Prof. Sam Alu, Chairman of ASUU NSUK branch said the outgoing VC’s achievements motivated the union to hold the special congress in his honour even though such honour has never been bestowed on any previous Vice Chancellor in the past.
“”We are celebrating a product of ASUU who came here, performed and is leaving better than he met it. That is why it is our humble delight to tell the world to see a product of ASUU who has performed beyond what we even thought.
Alu said along many other achievements, Bala-Mohammed made it possible for the union’s agitation of the mainstreaming of it’s Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) to be mainstreamed into their salaries to be approved.
He then advised the state government to ensure that the new Vice Chancellor that will be appointed is appointed strictly on merit so as to maintain the momentum kick-started by the outgoing VC.
Prof. Silas Gyar, former Chairman of ASUU, NSUK branch also credited the outgoing VC for strengthening the relationship between the union and the management.
He praised the outgoing VC for also cementing his place in the history books of the university by introducing monthly inaugural lectures for professors who has yet to give theirs. END