X-raying the golden heart of Prof Oloyede
“By prioritising the well-being of his staff, Prof. Oloyede is not only improving the workplace culture in JAMB but is also setting a standard for compassionate leadership.”
*Photo: Prof Ishaq Oloyede*
BY AMINA HARUNA
Perhaps it is on account of the impressive pedigree of the current Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) that the staff of the Board were expectantly upbeat knowing that their lot would be further enhanced.
They were not disappointed as a few weeks after his assumption of office in 2016, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the current Registrar of the Board, rolled out his five-point agenda with staff welfare given deserved priority.
In this regard, the members of staff of the Board were soon to witness a state-of-the-art staff canteen built to provide free lunch for all staff, regardless of cadre, at the Board’s Headquarters in Abuja. It would be noted that the impact of the free lunch transcends just the provision of food alone as it is also about ensuring that every staff, whether junior or senior, has access to nutritious meals during any given workday.
Also, the significance of this gesture, modest as it is, cannot be overstated as by offering free lunch, the Registrar is not only alleviating the financial burden on employees but is also fostering a sense of camaraderie among the staff. It is, therefore, a veritable tool for promoting teamwork and collaboration among staff as gathering for lunch on a regular basis encourages social interaction and bonding.
In addition, gestures such as this could also serve as a reminder of the importance of kindness in the workplace as well as the fact that small acts of generosity can have a big impact on employee satisfaction and overall organisational success.
Providing free lunch also has practical benefits for employees. It saves them money and time, as they no longer have to worry about bringing lunch from home or finding affordable options nearby. This allows them to focus more on their work and less on their next meal.
The decision to include both staff and non-staff in this initiative highlights Prof. Oloyede’s commitment to inclusivity and equality in the workplace. For the records, the National Headquarters staff, who are eating at the canteen is approximately 400. In addition, 120 individuals at the Test Development Department Complex are also beneficiaries, taking the total number to 520. This is, aside the army of august visitors, who daily throng the Board, the Board’s contract workers such as the cleaners, and security personnel, among others.
The meals come in different shapes and mouthwatering varieties spanning African and continental dishes to the delight of both staff and visitors alike.
Furthermore, as the Holy Month of Ramadan is in full swing, Muslim faithful, who are observing the fast, have their meals substituted with assorted fruits and beverages.
This landmark initiative of Prof. Oloyede has set a positive example for other organisations to follow. It shows that simple acts of kindness can have profound impact on employee’s morale. By prioritising the well-being of his staff, Prof. Oloyede is not only improving the workplace culture in JAMB but is also setting a standard for compassionate leadership.
Hence, it is seen that the provision of free lunch for all staff at the JAMB National Headquarters, Abuja, by the current leadership of the Board led by Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, could be conveniently situated against the backdrop of his commitment to inclusivity, equality, and employee’s well-being.
