The Executive Director of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages ( NINLAN), Aba, Professor Ogbonna Onuoha, says he is father to all staff unions in the Institute and will therefore support each of them without showing preference to any.

The ED made the assertion when members of Executive of the Non- Academic Staff Union of Universities ( NASU) NINLAN Branch interacted with him in his office.  The visitors were Mr. Godson Ugbor, the branch chairman; Mrs. Dorcas Agballa;  Chukwuma Nwafor; Glory Ebubedike;Emmanuel   Iheji; Solomon Ehiwario, and Jane Nwatu. The event was witnessed by the Head of Information, Protocol and Public Relations, Mr Chris Nwankwor. 

Professor Onuoha told the unionists that, being a veteran in labour leadership on account of his years of leadership in the area, “ I realize that all the unions are existing for me. I am father to all of them – NASU, SSANU and ASUU and NAAT where they exist.”

The Executive Director clearly advised the two non – teaching staff unions in the Institute not to operate as adversaries or sabotaging each other as if there were a conflict between them . He said although “poaching” of members is possible, unionism should not be done with any negative intentions: “ No blackmail.No fighting.”

He told the NASU Executive not to feel that anyone is threatening their union’s operation :

“ NASU is the oldest among university non – teaching staff unions. I know the history because I am a veteran of labour unionism.”

Regarding the union’s statement about their members being recorded for another  sister union, Prof. Onuoha explained to them that the stand  of his Administration on  the issue, based on the constitutional provision on freedom of association, is that staff wishing to join any union or switch to anyone, “ should write and personally sign  an individual letter” to enable the Administration to  properly channel the staff’s check – off dues.

The ED went further to admonish the NASU Executive to pay more attention to  doing things for their members that add value to their lives : “ Labour is beyond holding an office. There are simple things you can do as a union for your members; you can build NASU Co-operative Bakery, Restaurant etc. And be making money and developing NINLAN.”

He encouraged the union to always let him know areas he can advise or help them as their father.

Earlier in his presentation to the ED, Chairman Ugbor listed some issues in which they wish for the ED’s intervention, including effecting the return of seven NASU members who were recently included in SSANU numbers, facilitating  the membership of interested new staff into NASU membership roll; inclusion of  the union’s members in relevant standing committees of the Institute, especially the Staff/ Student Disciplinary Committee. 

The union also presented to the ED a portrait of himself, something Professor Onuohaadmired loudly and described as his  most beautiful portrait so far.