Talking Drums Issue 5
December 2012
“I will not hesitate to promote and train people,” DG Sanginga Management led by DG Sanginga has said that it will give attention to capacity development and motivation of staff. ―I will not hesitate to promote and train people,‖ Dr Sanginga said during a meeting to welcome the newly promoted staff group and recruited staff to the IITA family. The Director General told staff to ―think first about IITA and IITA would take care of them‖. He also reechoed the importance of human resources as a critical factor to the new administration and the success of IITA, stressing that IITA will continue to give staff the necessary training to tackle the challenges of poverty in Africa. The DG also emphasized the need for confidence and competence among staff.
However, he reiterated that the Institute would continue to reward hard work but that lazy staff will not be tolerated in the system. Dr Sanginga urged supervisors to always think about their subordinates. ―You should think about mentoring them… And training them and giving them the right direction. By so doing, we will build the center together,‖ he explained. Dr Kenton Dashiell, IITA DDG (P&CD) urged the new and upgraded staff to see themselves as part of a big family that is contributing to the mission and vision of reducing hunger and poverty. Dr Ylva Hillbur, IITA DDG (Research), encouraged the staff to uphold hard work—a virtue displayed by staff since her arrival 119 days ago.
Dr Sanginga
IITA rewards gallantry On 4 July 2012, the IITA bus was on a shuttle trip to Lagos airport with five passengers among them were Dr Bussie Maziya-Dixon, Crop Utilization Specialist and Mrs Lucy Omidiran of HRS. Mr Olawoyin Makinde was the driver. At about 15:30, near a village called Saapade along IbadanLagos expressway, a highway robbery operation was taking place. According to the driver,
Mr Olawoyin, two vehicles were in front of the shuttle bus; suddenly the front vehicle stopped and was trying to make a U- turn in the middle of the road while the second vehicle reversed with full speed, hitting his own vehicle on the driver‘s side thereby damaging it seriously. ―The first 2 vehicles in front were ransacked by the robbers while one of the robbers made his way towards our vehicle with a cutlass.
The Security Manager, Mr David Oluwadare (extreme right) presenting a gift to Corporal Ayilara (middle).
As the attacker made his way towards the vehicle, the police escort, Mr Ayilara Akeem fired his gun, scaring the robbers who ran away as fast as they could.
Upcoming events: Addax Petroleum Group
meeting, Vigna Room, 10–14 December, General Directorate, Boardroom II, Tuesday, 11 December, IARSAF: 4 Days Training Workshop on the use of EXCEL and SPSS for data management and analysis, Musa Room, 11-14 Dec.
Visits: Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, (Water Treatment & Sewage), Tuesday, 11 December, Albesta Academy, Lekki, Lagos State, (Pathology, Analytical labs & Farm Office), Tuesday, 11 December, Abi International School, (Entomology Lab & Farm Office), Thursday, 13 December.
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