The attention of the Concerned Youths of Kogi State has been drawn to a script of conspiracy by some faceless dissidents aimed to malign the reputation of the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, accusing him of sordid act which amount to blackmailing of the workaholic Vice Chancellor whose towering profile continue to astound his critics.
It is regrettable to read the frivolous lies put together by some nitwits who take solace on creating an ungovernable atmosphere for the leader of the university.
It is sad that the set of people who have resorted to causing mayhem and disaffection in the university have started rearing their heads again with their unfounded lies and insinuations on the personality of the Vice Chancellor who has brought in avalanche of developments to the citadel of learning. These sets of distractors have nothing good to offer other than to cook lies and frivolous allegations against the person of Professor Akinwumi.
Professor Akinwumi is a well brought up Okun man and a disciplined person who has held various positions of authority before his appointment as the Vice Chancellor and can not descend so low to be hobnobbing drunken parties and involving in illicit acts.
It is a known fact that every man has his social life, but those who know the VC can attest that he has never been drunk in any gathering so it beats our imagination how and why the writers came up with such weighty insinuations of the VC being drunk at a party.
There was an allegation of bribery of the National University Commission (NUC) on the rating of the university. But a right thinking human being who is conversant with the procedures of accreditation and rating of universities will know that there are indicators upon which the ratings are based and the accreditations team are eminent academicians who know what it takes to rate an academic institution.
The writers have failed to realize that NUC as a regulatory body and the foreign representative during accreditations and rating are too big to be bribed with 2.5 million naira, this clearly shows the daftness of the writers and their co-sponsors.
Interestingly the sadists in their frivolous allegations mentioned the expansion of the university programmes, they acknowledged the tremendous and astonishing progress, but they failed to appreciate and acknowledge the unmatched records of achievements of Professor Akinwumi within the short period of administration which has earned the institution dramatic acceleration in ranking, opening of the permanent site which has been left unused, introduction of medical school and engineering courses, expansion of courses, facilities and an a host of others which are visible, instead they are spewing ridiculous and concocted tales which emanate from belly filled with hatred.
Professor Akinwumi’s professional trajectory and academic records both in Nigeria and abroad is outstanding and can never be stained by some sets of faceless dissenters who are intimidated by the outstanding performance of Professor Akinwumi.
The concerned Youths of Kogi State calls on all faceless dissenters to join hands with Professor Akinwumi to work towards realizing the vision and mission of the Vice Chancellor because he will never be distracted by any distractors.
It should be known that Federal University, Lokoja is not for Kogi State alone and should not be ridiculed in the committee of States in the North Central region. It is not a taboo for Prof. Akinwumi to come from Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello has displayed exemplary leadership in reducing tribalism, nepotism and religious intolerance to it bearest minimum.
Our investigations revealed that those sponsoring fake information about the Vice Chancellor are few of those who jostled for the position. If they think they are eminently qualified, they should wait for the expiration of his tenure and re-apply.
We, therefore, appeal to the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Yahaya Bello to use his good office and called the detractors to order. The State and the Governor should not be distracted with frivolous publications, not now that he is preparing to take on the leadership of our country come 2023.
We therefore, pass a vote of confidence on the leadership and administration of Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi.
– Elijah Israel
Concerned Youths of Kogi State.
