Prof. Michael
Adikwu, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja (UniAbuja), on Friday urged
the local branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities
(SSANU) to resolve its differences with management through dialogue.
Adikwu told newsmen in Abuja that rather than threat
and confrontation, members of SSANU should seek peace if they desired the
growth of the institution.
However, the vice-chancellor said that his
administration was poised to promoting labour friendly environment that would
bring out the best from every worker and guarantee the continued development of
the university.
Adikwu assured that staffers would continue to
receive their salaries in full.
He said that if there were any issue that would
warrant part payment of salary, the affected staffers would be consulted before
decisions were taken.
According to him, he is not shielding corrupt
officials as several investigation committees are being set up on all reported
cases.
He urged any worker that had strong evidence of
corrupt practices by any member of staff to come forward.
``On the issue of employment of new staff, those
recruited were mostly medical doctors who were already teaching in their
hospitals and some of whom were from the National Hospital as part of the drive
to secure the accreditation of those courses.
``We only regularised those on month to month basis
(temporary) appointment; most of whom were employed by the previous
administration, and who had spent two years; they were now given what is called
confirmation of appointment.
``Even the number of staff whose appointments have
been regularised now may look big, but when you look at it we need more staff
if we must get accreditation for our college of medicine; we do not even have
staff at the clinical level,” he said.
He said that instead of dictating to the governing
council, SSANU should petition the council with proven evidence of
non-conformity.
Adikwu added that the concerns expressed by the
union on the plight of the widows had been noted, promising that they will also
be absorbed into the system at the appropriate time.
