From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Governing Council of the National Open University of Nigeria ((NOUN) has assured the management and staff of university of peaceful working environment that would herald significant development, academically and otherwise, to the school.
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Isa Yuguda, gave the assurance at the university campus in Abuja, on Friday, shortly after the inaugural meeting of the Council.
He said: “We decided to hold our inaugural Council meeting today so we could know our ourselves better and get properly acquainted with each, and that’s exactly what we did.”
Yuguda confirmed that himself and other members of the Council are aware of their responsibilities, and as a result, will operate strictly within that corridor to avoid rancour that might result in industrial disharmony.
He said: “We had a retreat shortly after our inauguration on Thursday, at NUC headquarters, and we were made to understand our duties and the need to keep to work within that circle.
“Myself and other members of the Council are good managers and we have handled several managerial positions in the past, and that, perhaps, might have qualified us for this responsibility.
“However, we are deeply committed to the cause of peace and development of this institution, and we would use all the knowledge, wisdom and skills available to us to ensure that this institution witnessed significant development, academically and otherwise.”
He appreciated the President and the Ministers of Education for finding them worthy of such responsibilities, promising that they would justify the confidence and trust that the President have for them.
NOUN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, in his remarks, welcomed the Council and assured them of cordial working environment.
He said he’s at peace with the caliber of the people in the council, expressing optimism that their coming into the university will bring good growth and development to the university.
Recall that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, in his address at the inauguration of the Governing Councils Federal tertiary institutions in Abuja, on Thursday, warned the Council members against interference in the day-to-day activities of the institutions.
He said: “You are responsible for setting the strategic direction, overseeing transparent and responsible financial management of the sector, and ensuring the overall performance of these institutions to achieve the national goals and expectation of tertiary institutions.
“There is a cear line of operations between the management and respective Governing Councils of the tertiary Institutions. You are not to interfer with the day-to-day management of human, financial, and material resources of the institutions,” the Minister warned.
He also informed the Council members that the Federal Government has huge expectations from them, particularly in addressing the challenges facing the tertiary institutions.