The newly-reappointed Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, was on Tuesday, 24th August, 2021, treated to a tumultuous welcome by the jubilant staff of the National Headquarters of the Board who trooped out in their numbers to welcome the highly revered Chief Executive back to the saddle.
The visibly-elated staff who demonstrated their love for their beloved Registrar cut across all cadres of the service as attendees comprised members of management, directorate staff and other functionaries of the board.
The atmosphere at the Board’s National Headquarters had worn a festive mood as early as 7:00 am with staff jostling to put in place all manners of banners to celebrate the reappointment of their Registrar while some were swaying to the soft music serenading his arrival.
The Registrar, who was visibly touched by the show of love, acknowledged cheers from the crowd of well-wishers and thanked them for their demonstration of affection and love.
In his brief remarks, Prof. Oloyede commended the exemplary leadership displayed by the Acting Registrar, Mr Fabian Okoro, who held sway for 19 days before his reappointment.
He said, “I thank the staff, and I especially thank the Acting Registrar, during the period he was holding forth, everything was going on smoothly, and all the activities went well. I believe this is a sign that things are working.” Continuing, he said, “I thank him and other members of Management and I pray God will take us to greater heights.
The Registrar also charged staff to be committed to their work and rededicate their energies to helping to improve the system even better than he met it.
“We have gone through one phase, which is principally that of building, what we need to do in my second coming is to consolidate on all the successes recorded. I could recall that when I came in newly in 2016, I had rolled out my goals and objectives which I had encapsulated in a Five-point Agenda. I vividly recall that we made staff welfare one of the cardinal objectives and with your support, we have delivered on all the five goals we had set for ourselves. By consolidation, I refer to the need to ensure that all structures put in place are solid and enduring.”
“It is also to the glory of God that we were able to make some changes that have addressed critical areas of our examinations, therefore, making us the cynosure of all eyes. Going forward, we hope to make even more strenuous efforts to emplace a system that can run on autopilot.”
“As such, I urge all of us to be committed to the Board as our own way of serving God as those little things we do might just make a whole world of difference in someone’s life.”
In rounding off his speech, the Registrar enjoined staff to rededicate themselves to the service of the Board. He added that no service to humanity would ever be in vain as all good deeds would be amply rewarded by God and, of course, if anybody compromised, then he should ready himself for the punishment from God. He also disclosed that in his entire life he had never seen anyone who compromised on his assigned responsibilities and go scot-free. He urged staff to be united and avoid rancour.
Speaking on behalf of members of staff, the Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Comrade Andrew Onakpa, and his counterpart, the Chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Comrade Isaiah Adeigbe, congratulated the Registrar on his second coming while also praying that the good Lord who saw him through the first five years would be with him this time as well. They expressed confidence in the leadership qualities of the Registrar and assured him of the support of staff throughout his tenure.