The University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has elected Comrade Linus Akata as its new chairman.
At the association’s Quadrennial Congress, which took place in Nsukka on Friday, Akata and other candidates were elected without opposition.
Mr. Samuel Okoh, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Ozioko, Vice Chairman; Mr. Chukwuma Nwagwu, Treasurer; and Mr. Ejike Egwuagu, Financial Secretary, are the other newly elected executives.
The others are Mrs. Blessing Obi, Mr. James Nwachukwu, Assistant Secretary; Mr. Charles Akan, Public Relations Officer; Mr. Friday Nweke Trustee, Ex-Officio; and Mrs. Mercy Ilechukwu, Woman Coordinator.
The newly elected chairman promised to prioritize worker welfare in his acceptance speech shortly after taking office during the Quadrennial Congress.
Comrade Paul Erua, whose 11-year term had come to an end, was succeeded by Akata. Erua had served as UNN-SSANU Chairman for four years in total, the first two of which were as caretaker chairman.
He conveyed his gratitude to UNN-SSANU members for considering him deserving of leading the organization’s operations for a term of four years.
The members’ unwavering confidence in me to be elected as their Chairman fills me with both humility and excitement.
“As per the final report released today by the Electoral Committee, I am the only person who has purchased a form for chairmanship since the sale of intention forms for this election began in November 2023.
“I will not take for granted what SSANU-UNN has accomplished today,” he declared. “And in this Quadrennial Congress, members came out in large numbers to confirm their trust on me.”
Comrade Ken Njoku, the National Vice-president of South East, led the team from the SSANU National Secretariat that came to oversee the election, and he thanked them for their dedication to making sure it was a free and fair process.
Former Treasurer Akata said he would always be appreciative of Erua, with whom he had worked closely and gained a lot of knowledge from his capable leadership.
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Njoku stated that choosing new executives was the high point of the SSANU Quadrennial Congress.
The VP expressed gratitude to UNN-SSANU members for facilitating his team’s work.
Only one candidate was chosen for each position, including chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer, and financial secretary, according to the Election Committee’s final report, which was presided over by Comrade Martin Arumede.
“I applaud the cohesion and maturity of UNN-SSANU, which has facilitated my team’s assignment from the SSANU National Secretariat, and I encourage other SSANU branches across the nation to follow UNN’s lead.
In return, the newly elected and installed executive should prioritize the welfare of its workforce and bring everyone along with them.
“I also express my gratitude to Erua’s recent executive team for their many accomplishments, which are detailed in their stewardship report,” Njoku said.
Erua thanked SSANU members in the UNN earlier in his farewell speech for their cooperation and support during his 11-year administration.
The outgoing Chairman enumerated his accomplishments, which included the SSANU National Delegates Conference hosting, the completion of the pharmacy shop building, and the establishment of a filling station based on Built Operate Transfer (BOT).
Among his other accomplishments were ensuring that the UNN’s scheme of service for non-teaching staff was reviewed, purchasing a Highlander Jeep for UNN-SSANU to streamline logistics, and assisting over 500 members in receiving their N30,000 monthly hazard allowance. (NANO)
