By Timothy Nwobodo

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists, (NAAT) ESUT branches have commended the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie on his evidential two years administration and promised to sustain their respective support.

The two unions through their various leaders made the commendations in separate interviews with ESUT Monitor.

 ASUU Chairman in ESUT, Professor Chinedu Aguba described Prof Okolie as a “God sent” to ESUT disclosing that his two years in office have helped to consolidate unionism in the institution.

He noted that as the former chairman of the union in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof Okolie has brought his wealth of experience to bear in ensuring a smooth and healthy relationship between the management and the ASUU through timely release of their checkoff dues, regular payment of staff salary, and promotion of deserving staff as well as inclusive administration.

“I am surprised that the Vice-Chancellor has clocked two years in office, I feel like he just started yesterday. The fact is that I regard him as God sent in ESUT because the past two years have been pragmatically evidential in ESUT. The Vice-Chancellor has left no one in doubt about his vision for ESUT.

“As a former chairman of our union in UNN where he came from, he understands the structure of ASUU and has been able to create a smooth and healthy relation between the management and the union. For the past two years, our checkoff dues are released timely, our members’ salaries are paid and those who are due for promotion have been elevated, we have not been owed a dime. These are evidential and the cardinal principles that sustain effective unionism in ESUT unlike what we used to have before. He is a visionary leader and ASUU will always be by his side to sustain the momentum” he said.

On her part, the Chairperson, NAAT, ESUT Branch, Comrade Onyia Anthonia Nkeiruka, lauded the ESUT Management under Professor Okolie in the past two years in sustaining the dreams of the founding fathers dreams as well as bringing innovations to the school.

Comrade Onyia noted that in the past two years, unlike what were obtainable prior, her members have not been owed their monthly remuneration adding that their checkoff dues has also be regularly released to enable them sustain their association.  

“The entire members of the National Association of Academic Technologist (NAAT), ESUT Branch felicitate with you, our amiable Vice-Chancellor, on your two years in office. You have made a landmark within these few years which include: payment of bulk of arrears of checkoff dues, promotion of our members and salaries owned to the unions and workers of ESUT.

“ESUT workers now come to work as at when due, and so many other innovative achievements. No wonder you are called “Talk and Do” Vice-Chancellor. Our Great leader, NAAT will always be supportive of your administration to take our university to greater heights,” she said.