ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES

(ASUU)

RESOLUTIONS OF THE BAYELSA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY BRANCH MEETING

OF THE ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES (ASUU) HELD ON
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023

The Bayelsa Medical University Branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) met on
Thursday, October 5, 2023. The meeting deliberated the reports from the Chairperson on NEC and
ZEC meetings, Welfare Committee, Social Responsibility Committee, issues regarding the office of
the Registrar, selective and irregular promotion of academic staff, salary increment and arrears of
academic staff other matters.

I. REPORTS FROM THE BRANCH CHAIRPERSON ON THE NEC AND ZEC

MEETINGS
Congress took report from the Chairperson, Ligeiaziba Sylva, on the National Executive
Council and Zonal Executive Council meetings and appreciated the fact that BMU was well
represented at the meetings, which further established our commitment to the affairs of the
Union.

II. WELFARE COMMITTEE

Congress received report from the convener of the Welfare Committee, Jatari Efere, who
read out the recommendations of the committee regarding financial commitment of the
branch in condoling with family of a staff, in felicitating with a staff, in bidding a staff
farewell and other matters.

III. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE

Congress received report from Rachael Edward, a member of the Committee, where she
intimated the house on its recommendations concerning the likely activities/responsibilities
the branch may wish to engage in as part of its social responsibility for the year. The
committee was again taxed to come up with an implementation plan for each of its
recommendations to enable congress to decide on the one the branch would be comfortable
to embark upon.

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IV. ON THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
In line with the rules and regulations governing conditions of service of senior staff in
Bayelsa Medical University, Chapter 2 Section A, subsection 2.5, item E (page 11) entitled
PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE FOR STAFF states that “Pre-Retirement leave for staff shall
be mandatory and shall be three (3) months prior to the effective date of retirement”. That
being the case, the Registrar, Dr Guagha Berezi, who would be retiring on November 15,
2023 by virtue of attainting the age of 65, is required to proceed on his pre-retirement leave
prior to the foregoing date. Referencing a sister institution’s example on this matter, the
council of that institution had granted its retiring registrar a Working Leave, while his office
was being advertised. Thus, the Union is drawn to presume that BMU’s retiring Registrar
may have been granted a Working Leave by the BMU governing council. If this were the
case, then the position of the Registrar should have been advertised by now for interviews to
be conducted for the appointment of a substantive Registrar upon the retirement of the
outgoing Registrar. Unfortunately, this has not been seen. Therefore, the Union is hereby
insisting that the rules as stipulated in the document governing the conditions of service of
senior staff be adhered to so that a bad precedence would not be set in the institution.

V. SELECTIVE AND IRREGULAR PROMOTION OF ACADEMIC STAFF

Concerning the promotion of academic staff as captured in Chapter 2, section B entitled
PROMOTIONS the Union urges management to stick to the provisions therein to prevent
the selective and irregular appraisal and promotion of eligible candidates. The Union states
that a violation of the provisions as stated in the rule book would not only create bad blood
amongst staff but would set an ugly precedence for the future of the University.
Furthermore, the Union emphasized the sacrosanct nature of the professorial rank; thus,
using it to compensate certain personalities who may not have fulfilled the conditions as
stipulated in the rule book is unacceptable by the Union. The Union therefore regrets all
compensatory promotions that had been done in the recent past and states its resolve not to
condone such in the future. In the event of such, the Union will not hesitate to take it up
with the University’s governing council, and even pursue it legally if it became necessary.

VI. SALARY INCREMENT AND ARREARS OF ACADEMIC STAFF

The Union is uncomfortable with the fact that the salaries of old staff members who were
appraised and promoted recently have not been increased to capture their new ranks albeit it
wishes to understand management’s claim of inadequate funding from government.
However, the Union notes in dismay that newly employed staff members are being paid the
actual amount of the position they were appointed, whereas old staff members who were
promoted to the same positions like their newly engaged colleagues are still receiving the
amounts of their previous ranks; even their arrears are yet to be cleared. The Union
considers this as unfair and has resolved to engage management and government to discuss
ways to end the inequity.

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VII. APPOINTMENT OF FACULTY REPRESENTATIVES
The following staff members were appointed as ASUU representatives in the various
faculties:
Edwin Keneke – Science
Elekele Alex – Basic Medical Sciences
Jack Tarvie – Health Sciences
Ebugberi Feghabo – Clinical Sciences
Meni Roland – CEGS
Napoleon Bodi – IFL

Appointment of ASUU representatives in the Faculties of Basic Clinical Sciences and

Pharmaceutical Sciences would be done subsequently.

VIII. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of next meeting will be communicated in due course.

Comr. Ligeiaziba Sylva

Chairperson