Focus More On Members' Welfare, Not Funding, Don Advises ASUU

Idowu Cadmus, a Professor of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, has urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to concentrate more on the welfare of its members and leave the funding of universities to the University Council and the government.

Cadmus advised the union to provide a conducive environment for teaching and research to encourage members to conduct innovative research and attract funding to the institutions.

The Professor gave this advice at the 512th inaugural lecture delivered at the University of Ibadan, titled, “On The Trail of Two Enigmatic Foes: The Story of an Enthusiast."

According to him, ASUU needs to be more inclusive and farsighted to consider different views.

Cadmus called for the revamping of the systems of the University of Ibadan by its management, to encourage profound research and academic excellence.

He added that researchers must be supported intentionally and not be neglected to face bureaucratic hurdles which, according to him, “strangulate research and frustrate the researcher”.

Cadmus said the university grants management structure needed complete restructuring to promote giving more grants and easy access to grant funds as they are made available to the university.

The Don, therefore, advised the academics to focus on providing innovative solutions to national and global issues and not to see the institution as a civil service centre.