“A golden fish has no hiding place”. Such is the case of the Federal University Lokoja, established alongside 6 other universities 11 years ago. Coincidentally, the visionary, responsive and responsible Vice Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, has also spent one year in office.
Despite the ongoing ASUU Strike, I had the opportunity to have an encounter with the Vice Chancellor in his office on Monday the 7th day of March, 2022, during the solidarity visit of Mr. Oluwaloseyi Babaeko, the former General Secretary of the Nigerian Students Society, University of Leeds. U.K.
During this brief solidarity visit, the Vice Chancellor welcomed his visitors, took us to the memory lane of the journey so far, the current development and the journey ahead to make FUL a world class University that would prepare both students and staff for a global challenge and competition of the 21st century.
He appealed to all stakeholders, home and abroad, to join him and the entire management team to reposition FUL for the overall national development.
In his words, “the school is still faced with numerous challenges, such as inability to accommodate students in hostels at the Felele Campus for security reasons; fencing of the University as a concern which needs rapid attention, the medical facilities for the School of Medicine, the commencement of the law programme, to mention just a few of the challenges facing the ivory tower.”
He appealed to all for a partnership that will make FUL a world class University.
Babaeko, while giving his remarks, commended the Vice Chancellor for his visionary leadership and sterling performance, and how elated he is to be associated with the VC and very proud of his transformative leadership role in the school, and as a critical stakeholder in the Nigerian Project with passion for excellence and qualitative education.
Stressing on the strategic location of the citadel of learning and Lokoja being a mega city in prospect, he urged both public and private sectors to give their maximum support for the progress and rapid development of the school since the University is in a better hand with a committed team.
“I am calling on President Muhamodu Buhari, the visitor of the University and the Grand Commander of Armed Forces, for an accelerated developments, investment and an increase to the budgetary allocation of the University.
“It is my appeal to the ebullient Vice Chancellor to put up curriculum for a course in transport studies with a total commitment to partner with Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s cement factory in Obajana for the training and retraining of the company drivers for an efficient service delivery,” Babaeko said.
Mr. Babaeko congratulated the Vice Chancellor on his journey so far and wishes him more successes on his Journey Ahead. The U.K trained security expert also used the opportunity of his visit to appeal to FG to dialogue with ASUU with commitment to resolving the crisis so that Nigerian students can go back to school.
Isaac Olupeka
100 Level Mass communication
Federal University Lokoja,
Lokoja, Kogi State.