The Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, On Tuesday, the 14th October, 2025 met with the leadership of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the University in a strategic dialogue aimed at strengthening staff welfare and promoting industrial harmony within the institution.
The meeting, attended by the Union executives provided an opportunity for open interaction and mutual understanding between the university management and the unions. Prof. Omenugha expressed appreciation to the unions for their willingness to engage in dialogue, describing herself as “a strategist, not a violent person,” who is committed to building peace through collaboration. She urged any aggrieved members to remain calm, assuring them of her readiness to address their concerns constructively.
Addressing key union demands previously submitted to the Governing Council, Prof. Omenugha explained that as the substantive Vice-Chancellor, she is now in a position to tackle the issues head-on. She emphasized the importance of articulating clear, realistic demands and announced plans to review the proposal for examination-based assessment for non-teaching staff, noting that participation would be voluntary and aimed at professional growth. The Vice-Chancellor stressed that her administration is focused on measurable reforms in teaching, learning, and result computation initiatives designed to make COOU a model of institutional excellence.
Reiterating her commitment to staff welfare, Prof. Omenugha stated, “If I don’t get welfare for this university, then know that I’ve failed. I am the one person you can rely on to achieve this.” She encouraged the unions to maintain proper documentation through logbooks for performance tracking and promised that their next meeting would produce a well-structured salary and welfare plan. The session ended on a joyful note as the union leaders cheered the Vice-Chancellor with three resounding gbozas and a solidarity song in appreciation of her openness and commitment to dialogue.
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