* As NASU Reaffirms Commitment To Industrial Peace
By Our Reporter
The Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Prof. Daniel C. Nwachukwu, has directed the immediate upgrade of all qualified junior staff of the institution omitted from the last upgrade exercise.
The Vice-Chancellor gave the directive when the Executive Council of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), AE-FUNAI branch, paid him a familiarization visit, where the Union reaffirmed its commitment to industrial peace, growth, and institutional progress.
The meeting, held on Monday in the Vice-Chancellor’s conference room, was aimed at establishing a collaborative relationship between the union and university administration. Leading the delegation, Branch Chairman, Comrade Chibuike Igwe emphasized NASU’s readiness to work with management to foster a supportive and productive environment for staff and students.
Comrade Igwe assured the Vice-Chancellor that the union would prioritize constructive dialogue over conflict and pledged NASU’s steadfast support for the university’s development goals. He, however, drew attention to the exclusion of staff who recently earned additional academic and professional qualifications from the latest upgrade exercise.
According to him, several non-academic staff had improved their qualifications in line with institutional expectations and career progression requirements, only to be omitted from the upgrade.
He urged the Vice-Chancellor to conduct a thorough review of the process to ensure that affected staff receive due recognition and advancement, noting that failure to address the omissions could undermine staff morale and confidence in the administration.
In his response, Prof. Nwachukwu commended the NASU executive for their friendly and constructive approach, describing it as a reflection of maturity and institutional responsibility. He acknowledged the seriousness of the concerns raised and assured the delegation that the matter would be addressed with urgency and thoroughness.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that staff welfare and professional growth remain a top priority for his administration. He therefore directed the Registrar to ensure the immediate upgrade of all qualified junior staff that had genuinely improved their qualifications but were omitted from the last exercise.
He further encouraged the NASU leadership to continue to lead with integrity, transparency, and a strong commitment to members’ welfare, stressing that a responsible and well-organized union is a vital partner in the university’s pursuit of academic excellence and institutional distinction.
The visit ended on a positive note, with both parties expressing optimism for a productive, harmonious, and mutually beneficial working relationship. NNL.