By Toheeb Babalola
In commemorating her unionism comeback after six and half years, the Academic Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), The Polytechnic, Ibadan chapter, has hosted the second quarter of the Southwest (Zone ‘C’) Zonal Executives Council Meeting
The conference which had all the Chairmen of the Union within the Southwest in attendance took place at the ASUP building, South campus, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, yesterday.
While addressing the press, the Southwest Coordinator of the Union, Comrade Yekini Asafa, revealed that the Zonal Executives Council Meeting often holds quarterly. Saying that the purpose of the meeting is to review activities of the chapters of the Union and resolve underlying issues among members.
Asafa said that the meeting is a medium where all the Chairmen of the Zone present their financial reports and roll out challenges confronting their chapters.
He lauded the The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Union executives for putting up a wonderful settings for the meeting. Noting that the Zonal Council is owing the chapter an award of recognition for the event.
According to him, “I didn’t know they could do what they have done. I said it in the meeting that they done what Napoleon could not do. Even some big chapters cannot do what they have done. Although Ibadan Chapter used to be a big chapter and they have demonstrated it today. They have been inactive for almost seven years, their come-back to unionism is really great. So, I give kudos to them. In fact I’m going to award this chapter in recognition of this conference”.
Giving an account on the state of the Union, the Chairman of Academic Union of Polytechnics, Polyibadan Chapter, Dr. Kola Lawal, stated that the Union had been in comatose for six and half years due to internal crisis among members. Adding that the Union came back successfully in December, 2022.
He said, “Today, we have been able to compare notes, rub minds with other Polytechnics and share ideas. I’m sure that the knowledge we have taken and the discussion held going to pilot and pivot us to the next level across all Polytechnics. It was a good exercise”
“I feel great, at last we have ASUP back at The Polytechnic, Ibadan and other Polytechnics are coming to fellowship with us. For Zone C chose to hold the quarterly meeting here just to witness our comeback.It is something that gladdens the hearts”.
Academic Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) is divided into four zones and the Zone “C” comprises 20 Polytechnics within the South West.
The institutions in attendance are Osun State Polytechnic,Iree; Federal Polytechnic,Offa; Federal Polytechnic,Ilaro; Rufus Giwa Poly, Owo; Federal Poly, Ado Ekiti; Federal College of Marine, Lagos; Yaba College of Technology; Gateway Poly, Sapade, Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan; Federal Polytechnic,Ede; Federal College of Animal Health, Ibadan and others.
