Jane Salihu
The outgoing Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has reaffirmed that integrity, commitment and dedication to duty remain the foundation of effective public service, while reflecting on a decade of reforms that significantly improved staff welfare and labour relations within the Board.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja after receiving an Award of Excellence and Distinguished Service from the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, JAMB Branch, Oloyede said public servants must remain accountable to those they represent and never compromise their principles for personal gain.
The outgoing Registrar stressed that he had maintained a policy of neutrality in union affairs throughout his tenure, insisting that he neither influenced nor interfered in the election of labour leaders. According to him, he only recognised leaders who emerged through democratic processes and engaged them as the legitimate representatives of workers.
Oloyede noted that one of the major priorities of his administration was improving the welfare of staff through lawful and sustainable measures. He recalled securing the approval of a 15 per cent examination duty and incentive allowance while pursuing additional welfare packages in line with government regulations.
He also commended the Federal Government for reforms that have strengthened workers’ retirement benefits, particularly the prompt payment of retirement entitlements and improvements to pension administration. He said the reforms had restored confidence among workers by ensuring that employees receive their benefits without the prolonged delays that previously characterised the system.
The former Registrar explained that JAMB had remained committed to making regular financial contributions towards staff retirement benefits, describing the initiative as a long-term investment in the future and security of employees.
While appreciating members of the union for recognising his service, Oloyede said the award reminded him of several achievements recorded during his administration, some of which he had almost forgotten. He dedicated the recognition to the collective efforts of management and staff, saying no leader succeeds without the support of committed workers.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NASU JAMB Branch, Comrade Andrew O. Onakpa, described Oloyede’s ten-year tenure as transformative, marked by transparency, accountability and exceptional concern for staff welfare.
He listed several achievements credited to the outgoing Registrar, including the approval of a 15 per cent examination security and incentive allowance, the introduction of a staff canteen initiative, expansion of the Board’s directorates from eight to 30, enhanced retirement packages, prompt staff promotions without arrears, reintroduction of the promotion-skipping policy from CONRAISS 10 to CONRAISS 11, renovation and construction of JAMB’s national headquarters, implementation of the Central Admissions Processing System to improve efficiency, conversion of junior staff to higher cadres, financial and medical assistance for staff, acquisition of a union bus, and sustained support for the training of union executives.
In recognition of these contributions, the union presented Oloyede with its Award of Excellence and Distinguished Service for what it described as his visionary leadership, unprecedented institutional achievements, and unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability and staff welfare.
The union also congratulated the incoming Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, expressing confidence that he would build on the achievements and enduring legacy of the outgoing administration.
