By Emmanuel Oluwakorede.
A world class hospitality firm, Edge Drive Hotel is set to partner with the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) to provide a befitting hospitality system at the permanent site of University.
The Managing Director of the hotel, Alhaji Aliyu Badaki made this known on Tuesday when he led the Board of Directors to the office of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi in Lokoja.
According to him, rising from its board meeting, the hotel has decided to partner with the University towards providing a befitting hotel accommodation that will compete with any hospitality facility in the world.
He pointed out that the hotel is interested and committed to ensuring the realization of the project in no distant time which he based on Public Private Partnership (PPP).
“We have our standard, we can assure you that we are credible enough, there is nothing wrong in contributing to the development of our state and we will do everything humanly possible to actualize the provision of Hospitality in this University”
Alhaji Aliyu added that the visit was to congratulate him on his appointment and to thanked him for the continuous patronage of the University.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi described the move by the Board of Directors of the hotel as a welcome development, saying the partnership will meet the growing population of students which according to him is about 10,000 students as well as visitors.
According to him, the recent approval by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) which gave the University the nod to admit pioneer 100Level students into her College of Health Sciences is part of his commitment to make a difference in the school.
The Vice Chancellor stated that the establishment of College of Health Sciences will end lack of admission for students of Kogi origin and provide qualified health professionals for the state health facilities.
He reiterated the commitment of the University in partnering with serious minded individuals and organizations that are ready to add value to the institution, adding that government alone cannot do it.
Other board members present at the visit are; Dr. Adamu Isa Koto, Engr. Idris Yahaya and Mr Johnson Ejohwemu.
