FCAIB HOLDS ORIENTATION PROGRAMME FOR NEWLY EMPLOYED STAFF

By Olugbade Olubisi

The Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan (FCAIB), has organised an orientation programme for newly employed staff to familiarise them with the College’s policies, work ethics, administrative procedures and institutional culture.

Held at the College Lecture Theatre, the programme was anchored by the College Head of Public Relations Unit, Mrs. Wilson Oyekemi, and attended by members of the College Management and other senior officials.

The Provost, Professor Jonathan J. Atungwu, who served as the Chairman of the occasion, welcomed and congratulated the newly employed staff on their successful appointments. He noted that their recruitment was based on merit, qualifications and competence, urging them to justify the confidence reposed in them by the College.

Professor Atungwu charged the new staff to demonstrate commitment, punctuality, discipline and dedication to duty, while contributing innovative ideas from their previous experiences to the growth and development of the College.

He expressed concern over absenteeism and warned against habitual absence from duty. He specifically charged agricultural overseers and field attendants to ensure that their productivity and output justified their monthly earnings.

The Provost also emphasised the importance of professional hierarchy and efficiency, particularly in the handling of official files. He urged administrative staff to process files promptly, noting that unnecessary delays could negatively affect people’s lives and livelihoods.

The Deputy Provost (Administration), Dr. Musiliu O. Adenekan, encouraged academic staff to prioritise self-development through journal publications, conference papers and continuous consultation with senior academics. He also warned against cultism and membership of unauthorised or illegal societies.

The Deputy Provost (Academics), Dr. V.E. Okpeze, spoke on professional conduct, appropriate dressing and mentorship, urging the new staff to learn from experienced colleagues.

The College Registrar, Mrs. Popoola Olanike, explained the criteria for appointment, including merit, qualifications, age requirements, medical fitness and clean criminal records. She announced that 'Assumption of Duty' forms would be distributed for completion and submission through the respective Deans, Heads of Departments and Heads of Units. She also stated that each newly employed staff member would be required to provide two guarantors to vouch for them as law-abiding citizens.

On official communication channels, the Registrar advised staff to follow the established administrative structure, stressing that matters intended for the Provost should first pass through the appropriate Dean, Head of Department and Head of Unit. She warned against bypassing the established hierarchy. Mrs. Popoola further cautioned against late coming, sleeping on duty and other forms of misconduct, urging the new staff to serve as good ambassadors of the College and abide by the Public Service Rules and relevant Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) guidelines. She then directed staff seeking additional information about the College to consult the Freedom of Information Officer, Mr. Ayeni Oluwakayode.

The Head of Bursary, Mr. Adeyemi Jaguno, addressed salary-related concerns and provided updates on efforts to resolve existing challenges. He advised the new staff to exercise financial discipline, live within their means and avoid multiple loans and excessive salary commitments. He also cautioned against predatory lending institutions, noting that loan defaults could result in correspondence to College Management and constitute financial embarrassment and gross misconduct.

Sharing his career journey, Mr. Jaguno disclosed that he joined the institution as a farm attendant and eventually rose to become the College Bursar. He encouraged the new staff to pursue continuous learning and professional development and not to limit their career aspirations.

The Director of Audit, Mr. Olakunle Femi Karunwi, emphasised administrative diligence, urging the staff to maintain accurate and well-organised official records and files and to remain meticulously committed and responsible in the discharge of their duties.

The Dean, School of Agriculture and Chairman of Deans and Directors Committee, Dr. (Mrs.) Modupe Sodamola, addressed professional appearance, urging the new staff to maintain appropriate dressing in the workplace.

She issued a strong warning against sexual misconducts involving students, particularly cautioning lecturers and technologists against sexual relationships with students. She stressed that sexual abuse and exploitation constitute serious misconduct and attract severe disciplinary measures.

The Director of ICT, Engr. John Ijadunola, spoke on digital integration and instructed the new staff to provide active personal email addresses to facilitate the creation of individual official College email account. He also assured them that official identity cards would soon be produced free of charge, particularly for the new staff and enjoined them to keep their identity cards safe.

Other resource persons, including the College Legal Adviser, Mr. Samuel Elum, Esq., and Head of Pension Unit, Mr. Tayo Abolarin, provided additional guidance on legal, administrative and professional matters.

The programme featured an interactive question-and-answer session during which the newly employed staff sought clarification on issues including grants, official identity cards and College security. The questions were comprehensively addressed by the Provost and the College Registrar.

The orientation programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Olalere on behalf of the newly employed staff, who expressed appreciation to the College Management for the employment opportunities and valuable knowledge shared during the programme, which he said would guide them in their professional careers.

FCAIB, The First, The Best!