…alleges Faleye of fighting for selfish Interests against altruis
I will give my reactions later-Faleye
The impasse rocking the fast growing Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) is assuming an interesting dimension as several interest groups have began to bring to the fore views that shed light on the crisis rocking the University. One of such groups is a caucus of the local branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities SSANU, of the University, which identified it self as the SSANU FUOYE Concerned Group.
When the group sent its views on the lingering sexual harassment allegation to our investigative Reporter, we made conscious effort to reach out to reach out to Mr. Benjamin Faleye who is the chairman of SSANU FUOYE, but he merely promised to get back to us since several hours ago. He is yet to reply to several messages sent to his contact, +234 706 968 7577, as ar the press time . However, while we await Mr. Ben’s reaction, we bring you the views of the Concerned SSANU FUOYE Group below:
BEHIND THE FACADE OF A POISON IN THE SHADOW: EXPOSING THE SELF-SERVING MOTIVES OF BENJAMIN FALEYE FUOYE SSANU CHAIRMAN
SSANU FUOYE Concerned Group
In any comradely gathering, either through the umbrella of a Union or an Association, altruism and selflessness are always expected to be touted as virtues. It is unfortunately alarming and worrisome to encounter individuals who are masquerading as champions of the people while secretly pursuing their own selfish interests. Appearing behind the facade of benevolence in the faces of SSANU FUOYE members, Ben Faleye is waging battles that serve only his own ambitions, leaving destruction, division, and chaos as his legacies in FUOYE SSANU
This article aims to expose the telltale signs of selfish motivations of Ben Faleye and warn SSANU members, the FUOYE community, and indeed the general public about the dangers of getting entangled with such a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Selfish fighters often don the cloak of righteousness, using persuasive rhetoric and charisma to manipulate others into supporting their cause. They might claim to be fighting for justice, equality, or freedom, but beneath the surface, their true motivations are rooted in personal gains, power, self-aggrandizement, or recognition. When individuals prioritize their own interests over the greater good, it can lead to conflict or division, waste of resources, and loss of trust, as being experienced in FUOYE SSANU.
The reason for the unending war of Ben Faleye with FUOYE VC
Ben used to be one of the VC’s favourite boys, as he (Ben) had direct access to the VC officially and otherwise. Ben visited the VC’s house and office at will without any restrictions when the going was good. As is often said, a dog that will get lost will not hear the whistle of a hunter. Sometimes, in the year 2022, an ally of Ben Faleye (a woman) was posted out of the FUOYE Procurement Unit to another office. Ben Faleye felt uncomfortable with the posting and decided to confront the VC in his office about why his ally was posted out of a juicy office like the Procurement Unit (in his words). The VC, because of his approachable nature and respect for Faleye as a union person, took his time to explain to him why the posting affected the woman and that it is within the prerogative power of the management to post any staff to any office where he or she could be more productive, as may be considered by the management. The VC even counselled Ben that, even as a union leader, he too is not exempt from posting to any office if the management deems it fit.
However, the VC’s responses angered the arrogant Ben, as he had earlier bragged to ensure the reversal of the posting, irrespective of what it would cost him. Many reasonable SSANU members and others condemned the affront, the audacity, and the act of insubordination exhibited by Ben, which ordinarily could have landed him in big trouble at that time if not for the magnanimity of the VC. Unbeknownst to the VC, during Ben’s confrontation and arguments with him, he (Ben) recorded the VC without his consent. Unfortunately for Ben, his female friend couldn’t manage the feedback from Ben about his discussions with the VC and the audio record, and the VC was rightly informed of Ben’s unethical and betrayed act. This got the VC angry, and he started seeing and treating Ben Faleye as an untrusted personality. This didn’t go down well with Ben, as he couldn’t have access to the VC as usual, and this was at the point he declared an unending war with the VC, with a vow that he would use the instrumentality of SSANU to ensure that the VC is removed from office. The question is, when did it become a union leader’s duty to challenge a university management regarding the posting of a staff member? Was Ben’s female friend the first person to be affected by posting or reorganization in the university? Why did Ben pick interest in the posting of the lady to the extent of having the effrontery to challenge the Vice-Chancellor and request a reversal of the posting? Probably Dr. Salaam Olayiwola, the SSANU VP West, may have answers to the aforementioned questions and if such an indecent act of insubordination happens in his own university.
The conspiracy between Ben Faleye and Mrs. Folashade Adebayo
In Ben’s attempts to ensure he unseat the Vice-Chancellor, he started looking for evidences against the VC and the university management, only to realize he was being exploited by some bursary staff and others who collected money from him without delivering. But light attracts light, and evil attracts evil. It appears that Ben’s intentions and those of Folashade Adebayo, a member of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), aligned, leading them to collaborate. Their first meeting reportedly took place at a hotel along Jimoh Aliu Street in Addo Ekiti in August 2024, where they perfected their plan against the VC in the company of some journalists and internet bloggers
Mrs. Folashade Adebayo Membership Controversy
Folashade Adebayo is a pioneer member of NASU in FUOYE and has been a respected member of the Union since 2015. However, her membership status has been disputed, with some claiming she was migrated to SSANU in October 2024 without resigning from NASU. Questions arise as to why she didn’t report her case to NASU or resign her membership. Instead, she seemingly formed an alliance with Ben Faleye, the SSANU chairman in the ongoing war against the university VC.
Waste of SSANU Members’ Dues and Ben Faleye’s Achievements in the last two years of leadership
Under Ben Faleye’s leadership, SSANU’s finances have been mismanaged. The situation of SSANU’s finances under his leadership is like from riches to rags, which implies “easy come of money and easy going of money.” (A fool’s inheritance is soon squandered). Despite a significant increase in monthly remittances of the association to about N1,500,000 on a monthly basis, no progress has been made on the SSANU Secretariat project. The foundation of the building, which his predecessor had laid since 2021 received no attention. The site is as bushy as a virgin forest now. Furthermore, Ben Faleye sold the Sienna bus he inherited from his predecessor barely three months in office, used the name of the association to borrow money and purchased a Lexus Jeep worth over N6,000,000 for his personal use, and even collected N500,000 from the VC he’s now fighting as the VC’s contribution to the purchase of the vehicle. Ben didn’t disclose this to either his congress or executive members.
There are four other unions in FUOYE that bought their unions vehicles almost at the same time SSANU bought the Sienna bus that Ben inherited from his predecessor. NAAT, NASU, and ASUU Chairmen are still using their old vehicles to date. But, Ben decided to sell SSANU’s Sienna and bought a new Lexus Jeep for himself. This separates the Union leaders who are serving their members and the one who is serving himself. Apart from purchasing a Lexus Jeep for himself and damaging the image of FUOYE, Ben should come out and tell the whole world what he has done for SSANU members, FUOYE staff, and the University as SSANU Chairman.
Consequences of Selfish Motivation Fights Of Ben Faleye
When some people prioritize their own interests over the greater good of all, it can lead to:
- Division and conflict: Selfish fighters often create unnecessary divisions, pitting people against each other, lying, and using blackmail to achieve their own goals.
- Wasted resources: Time, energy, and resources are squandered on futile battles, distracting from meaningful and progressive courses as being experienced in SSANU FUOYE currently.
- Loss of trust: When selfish motivations are exposed, it erodes trust in leaders and institutions, making it harder to achieve genuine progress. No management, whether present or future, will ever trust someone like Ben Faleye, and SSANU has been portrayed as a bad wagon among the community of unions in the university.
In conclusion, it’s essential to hold leaders accountable for their actions and prioritize transparency, accountability, and genuine altruism in SSANU FUOYE’s leadership. We urge Dr. Abdussobur Olayiwola Salaam, SSANU’s Vice President West, to avoid escalating conflicts at FUOYE.
Key Concerns:
- Leadership Accountability: SSANU FUOYE needs leaders who prioritize transparency and accountability.
- Conflict Resolution: FUOYE staff and SSANU members will resist any attempts to turn the university into a battleground.
Prioritizing Staff Welfare:
Dr. Abdulssobub Olayiwola Salaam, the SSANU VP West should focus on promoting SSANU members’ welfare instead of using FUOYE to seek media attention. The VP West should not turn FUOYE to a battle ground as FUOYE staff (especially SSANU members) will resist any attempt by him. He should not bring the impunity and rascality that can not happen in FUNAAB where he works to FUOYE. He should take his time to ask why it is only SSANU that is engaging the university management in unending battles in the university. Is SSANU the only union on campus? This is a VP West that has never involved himself in any welfare oriented move in FUOYE. He is neither interested in the promotion of SSANU members nor the division that has ravaged SSANU under the leadership of Ben Faleye but decided to choose FUOYE in collaboration with Ben as a channel through which he can get media attention by consistently rubbishing the image of the university.
The University Council, led by Senator Ndoma Egba, has shown leniency to the erring officers, and SSANU FUOYE members should prioritize the union’s survival at this critical period over individual interests and self agrandizement
