By Ayo Olowu

The Ondo State Chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) has inaugurated members of the executive of the Owena Press Limited branch of the association.

The inauguration ceremony which was performed by the state officials of the association led by the Ondo State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) who doubles as the Zonal Secretary of SSASCGOC, Comrade Clement Fatuase was held at the company’s newsroom on Wednesday.

Speaking at the event, the State Chairman of SSASCGOC, Comrade Michael Adebayo appreciated God and the Management of Owena Press for making the inauguration ceremony a reality.

Adebayo described the event as a remarkable one in the history of Owena Press stressing that the association would further boost productivity and enhance workers’ welfare in the organisation.

He noted that SSASCGOC is a matured and well registered association which has been recognised in the 36 states of Nigeria and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Adebayo implored the new executives to prioritise their official duties, urging them not to allow union activities to override their official duties.

In his keynote address, the Chairman and Editor-in -Chief of Owena Press Limited, Mr. Kayode Fasua said the company would partner the association towards addressing critical areas of needs including training and retraining of staff, to boost capacity and productivity, among others.

While reiterating his commitment to capacity building of staff, Fasua congratulated members of the new SSASCGOC executives describing them as men and women of honour who are dedicated to their duties and possess the requisite knowledge to carry out their assignments.

He assured that the company would  build a robust relationship with the association towards improving staff welfare in particular and developing the organisation in general.

Fasua appreciated the State Chairman of SSASCGOC for doing everything possible to ensure that the association is formed in Owena Press, stressing that its existence in the company would ultimately lead to improved staff welfare and boost productivity.

Speaking on the operations of the company, Fasua noted that in view of the prevailing global economic realities, the company had upgraded to digital operations, publishing hard-copy newspapers twice in a week and online newspapers daily, stressing that The Hope is now read globally.

The State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ondo State Chapter who also doubles as the Zonal Secretary of SSASCGOC, Comrade Clement Fatuase urged the members of the new executive to be transparent and selfless in all their activities.

Fatuase noted that the association had been in existence in Nigeria as far back as 1978, but initially operated at the Federal level before members later realised the need for it to be cascaded to the states level.

“We are ready to partner all stakeholders. This association believes in the rule of law, productivity and accountability in all its activities.

“We are not here to cause labour disputes; we are here to add values to the lives of this company’s staff and their families and make this organisation more productive and result-oriented,”, he said.

In his acceptance speech, the new President of SSASCGOC, Owena Press Branch, Comrade Olakunle Olawale described the event as the beginning of a new era in Owena Press.

Olawale noted that the association was formed out of the need to foster unity among the company’s staff members and promote good working relationship between the staff and the management.

He equally averred that the association was formed to seek improved welfare of the entire members of staff and to press home staff members’ demands without prejudice against the organisation or government laid down rules and policies.

He affirmed that the association believes strongly in dialogue, rather than being confrontational in pressing home its demands.

Olawale assured that as a union, the executives will operate an open door policy and be guided by the parent body in the state in all their undertakings.

Members of the new executive include; Comrade Olakunle Olawale -President; Comrade Oluwatosin Fasua- General Secretary; Comrade Fesobi Agboola-Public Relations Officer; Comrade Olufunke Abiodun- Treasurer and Comrade Fisayo Akinduro- Financial Secretary.

Others are: Comrade Folasade Omoleye- Trustee 1 and Comrade Oladunni Ojaomo- Trustee 2.