Salako bows out in style

After successive two terms of six years in office as the National President of the Association of Senior Staff for Banks, Insurance, Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Comrade Sunday Olusoji Salako, bowed out in thunderous ovations at the association’s 9th Triennial Delegate Conferene in Abuja at the weekend.

On assumption of leadership role in 2010, Comrade Salako said his immediate goal was to put ASSBIFI in a position where it could perform its Trade Union responsibilities in a more informed manner and comply timely to the welfare, well-being and prosperity of the members.

However, at the end of his tenure, he said was delighted to have taken the association to new heights and urged his successors to consolidate on his achievements.

According to him, “I am delighted that during my tenure, the quality, quantity, and scope of ASSBIFI expanded significantly. However, I wish to place on record that major achievements under my leadership include the following: construction of the 53-bedroom ASSBIFI Resource Centre took off and it’s nearing completion; the National Secretariat was given a major facelift which makes our secretariat preeminent in the Trade Union Movement of Nigeria; ASSBIFI acquired a liaison Office/guest house in Abuja to ease our operation and increase our visibility in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

“The fractional divide between ASSBIFI, UBA and UBASS was resolved amicably and ASSBIFI today is one United powerhouse. We held several workshops and seminars both in Nigeria and overseas to build the capacity of our members; we are playing a massive role in the 57 per cent acquisition of stake in Unity Bank by Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, which enable TUC take up majority shareholding of Unity Bank.”

Furthermore, he said his team pioneer a platform as the First Labour Union in Nigeria to modify a radio programme via ASSBIFI Labour Hour; a well equipped audio-visual production studio for all ASSBIFI activities was set up at the secretariat. This made ASSBIFI the only Trade Union in Nigeria with such sophisticated and quality communication gadgets;

“We engaged our vast hectares of land in Abeokuta, Ogun State, for the purpose of large scale Agriculture Production where both cash crops and food crops are being cultivated with the view of it becoming an additional source of revenue to the Association.

“We engaged the services of legal experts for our members to aid them in times of industrial and civil litigation; profoundly under my leadership, ASSBIFI has ensured that the voice of women and youth of our union are heard. It is also evident in our strategic commissioning of women and youths in the organs of our union, as well as a gender desk at our National Secretariat,” he said.

“As I bow out as National President of this arguably preeminent Labour Union in Nigeria, I wish to use this opportunity to once again appreciate my Central Working Committee (CWC) and staff members of the National Secretariat for their dedication to duty. I am indebted to you all for your loyalty, fellowship and solidarity. I sincerely thank you all for your tenacity of purpose and commitment to the ideals of our great Association.

“Let me assure you that I remain committed to the cause of ASSBIFI, I will continue to champion those causes of our members which our associations stand for. Please, do not hesitate to beckon on me in any area you may require my fatherly guidance and input. As I leave ASSBIFI, I am satisfied that I am leaving and handing over to a solid team, experienced staff and a formidable structure that can stand the test of time.

“I am pleased to inform you that I will be handing over to our new National President, Comrade Oyinkan Olasanoye and other National Principal officers at this 9th Triennial Delegate Conference. I request that you extend more support to the team even much more than you afforded my administration, they have all it takes to build solidly on our modest achievements,” he concluded.

A review of the union history pre-2010 against post-2010 revealed that it has had eight president since 1979 till 2016. It also showed that the present day ASSBIFI has moved to sustain an esteemed recognition which is next to none amongst the Trade Union movement in Nigeria.