The Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife Chapter, has inaugurated a fresh executive committee.

The inauguration took place on Tuesday July 4, 2023.

Heading the committee is Dr. Folasade Hunsu from the Department of English, while the newly appointed Secretary General is Dr. Hameed Adefeso from the Local Government Studies Department at OAU Ile-Ife.

Hunsu and Adefeso took over their respective positions from Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, the former Chairman from the Department of Physics and Engineering, and Dr. Henry Oripeloye, the former Secretary General from the Department of English.

Sunmonu and Oripeloye were sworn in as the National President and National Secretary, respectively, on January 23, 2023, during a National Conference hosted by the OAU Ile-Ife Chapter of CONUA between January 22 and 23, 2023.

The high point of the achievement of the former executive committee was the Federal Government approval that was secured for the union.

The struggle for the approval began in 2018, and was eventually secured in 2022 when the ASUU strike action was on-going.

CONUA has consistently maintained that it was not part of the strike action but was locked out of the classroom when their respective universities closed down the institutions due to the ASUU strike action.

The new chairperson is the first female that would head any union in the university whether academic or non-academic.

The remaining members of the newly formed executive committee are:

1. Prof. Olabisi Ayodele – Vice Chair
2. Prof. J.B. Oyedele – Assistant Secretary
3. Dr. A.V. Adejumo – Treasurer
4. Dr. Kayode Sanusi – Financial
5. Secretary
6. Dr. Dada Fadeju – Welfare Officer
7. Dr. Olusegun F. Adebowale — Investment Officer
8. Dr. A. Akinsulore – Internal Auditor

Speaking before the inauguration, Prof. David Ogungbile, the Chairman of the CONUA-OAU Electoral Committee, stated that “the new officers were elected unopposed.”

In her acceptance speech, Dr. Hunsu, the newly appointed Chairperson, an Associate Professor in the Department of English, expressed gratitude to the congress for their trust in her and her team.

She appreciated the commitment of the Sunmonu-led executive Committee in laying a firm and formidable foundation in this branch and nationally.

The acceptance speech reads:

“Distinguished members of CONUA, OAU Chapter, it is with great pleasure and sense of responsibility that I address you today as the 2nd Chairperson of this branch.

“I appreciate the undeniable ruggedness, boldness and commitment of the Sunmonu-led executive Committee in laying a firm and formidable foundation in this branch and nationally.

“The Union, which detractors had inter alia declared as being “dead on arrival” has lived and is thriving. To God be the glory. I also thank the Electoral Committee and other members for the transparency, wisdom and purposefulness in the making of this Executive Committee. Agba ko ni tan lorile (Amin).

“Since the registration of CONUA by the Federal Government of Nigeria, it has become clear that as far as unionism among academics in Nigeria is concerned, it is the dawn of a democratic, progressive and pragmatic new day.

“CONUA is the promise of the restoration of the glory of the academic profession and the promotion of the welfare of members through constructive engagement with all stakeholders.

“Therefore, this executive will work to ensure that the welfare of members is pursued vigorously so they can function maximally as change-drivers of the society. Without fear or favour, we shall represent the interests of our members before the University and the government as the need arises.

“In addition, because we recognise and value the position of this chapter as the originating and flagship chapter of this great Union, we shall set the pace by undertaking activities which will underscore our continued relevance in nation building. Through symposia, seminars and workshops which will address government policies and socio-economic issues, we shall come up with positions that will demonstrate our interest in the progress of Nigeria and disseminate information through appropriate social media channels.

“After all, unionism is not all about disrupting academic sessions.

“The Union will continue to make its voice count in ensuring the prompt promotion of qualified candidates following fair and just process, functionality of committee-based system, appointment based on merit and not on patronage and the improvement of our working conditions among other things. It is noteworthy that as a demonstration of CONUA’s practice of democratic unionism, I am the first female Chairperson of any union in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

“Finally, we shall, by God’s grace, work having in mind one of our Union’s mantras, “Resistance to tyranny is obedience to GOD” and we therefore promise to resist all forms of injustice to the end that members can be confident that they are not walking alone.”