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FUTA Hosts Training For University Administrators


University Administrators have been enjoined to see themselves as partners in progress in the system.  This charge came from the Registrar of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Mr. Richard Arifalo while addressing members of Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA) during the maiden edition of the Southwest Capacity Enhancement training held at the T. I. Francis Auditorium of the University on Thursday 20th of February, 2020. He said he was particularly excited about the vision of periodical training for university administrators and expressed optimism that the trend would be sustained.  Mr. Arifalo said the Registry at no point should relegate itself to the background or else it would be rubbished.  He urged participants to be more practical in approach by applying knowledge to designations.  He said the South West has produced the best Universities in Nigeria, engineered by the sheer hard work of the Registry.  The Registrar advised the participants to learn from the experiences of the resource persons as experience cannot be bought in the market.

In a lecture delivered by the former Registrar, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and Director, Directorate of  Pension and Statistics (FUTA), Mr. Matthew Ayoola titled “Journey through the Registry:  The good, bad and ugly” , he the said Registry according to Merman Webster dictionary is defined as a place where official records are kept.  Mr. Ayoola said a Registry is headed by the Registrar, who is the Chief Administrative Officer, responsible to the Vice Chancellor for the day to day administration of the University.  He said there are four concepts in the Registry which include concept of line and staff relationship in organizations, the power in organizations, the Committees/meetings and the concept of Bureaucracy.  He said in the concept of line and staff relationship in organizations or schools, the question of one being superior to the other does not arise as both complement each other. He emphasized that Universities are manned by Committees, which is a means to formally draw people of relevant expertise from different parts of the organization that otherwise would not have a good way to share information and coordinate actions.  Mr. Ayoola defined the concept of Bureaucracy as the foundation of management in many of the government and military organization in the world today.  He further explained that the theory is based on strict rules and expert authority guidance which if carried out well would improve the efficiency of the organization performance.

The seasoned administrator urged participants to see themselves as the engine room of the institution and should not let anyone push them aside for any reason.  He said it is good to attend trainings such as this but even better to put what is learnt into practice.

Delivering the second lecture titled, “the Exploration of a Chief Administrative Officer” a former Registrar at the Olabisi Onabanjo (O.O.U) University Mrs. Omolara Osunsanya defined the University as an academic Community where ideas are generated and high standards set and maintained.  Mrs. Osunsanya said the Registry staffs are in turn expected to contribute in no small measure to the attainment of the objectives of the University.  She said the Registry serves as a bank where information is stored and retrieved.

The Administrator said the Registry more than any singular Unit in the University system deals with a large number of other Units in the University, therefore it is imperative to note that the services rendered by the Registry are coordinated bearing in mind that the effect of a singular action on the overall achievement of the University.

Mrs. Osusanya said for any Administrator to be successful, he or she must acquire skills that form his/her competencies which translate into core values.  While commending the association for organizing the maiden edition she said her paper was put together to inspire her colleagues to be the best in their career endeavor.  She charged participants  to consistently introspect and determine their strength and weaknesses, such introspection allows for good planning, character building, adaptability to change and professional development.

Speaking earlier the Coordinator, Association of Nigeria University Professional Administrators (ANUPA), South West Office, and Director Vice Chancellor’s Office, FUTA, Mr. Ife Oluwole said the actualization of the regional training was a dream come true.  He said the dream of training for University Administrators in the South West was conceived in 2018 at the ANUPA National Conference held at the Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU).

Delegates from the University of Ibadan (U.I), Lagos State University (LASU), Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba (AAUA), Obafemi Awolowo University Ile –Ife (OAU), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Osun State University (O.S.U) Osogbo, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomosho attended the training.