The Senate and Congregation of Prince Abubakar Audu University have elected their respective representatives into the reconstituted Governing Council, following separate emergency meetings held on Wednesday at the University Auditorium.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the university, Mrs. Uredo Omale, at the Senate meeting, four distinguished academics were unanimously elected to represent the body on the Council. They include Professor Sani Momoh of the Department of Biochemistry and current Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, whose extensive experience in university governance includes serving twice as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and as a two-time Branch Chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Also elected is Professor Taiye Oluwagbemi of the Department of Forestry, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor and former Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, noted for his administrative competence and contributions to institutional development.
Professor M.B.S. Jibrin, a former Provost of Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, and current Head, Department of English and Literary Studies, also secured a seat, alongside Professor Victoria Anum, Head, Department of Broadcasting, widely regarded as a seasoned academic and accomplished administrator.
In a related development, the University Congregation elected two representatives into the Governing Council during its own emergency session.
They are Comrade Solomon Alfa of the University Clinic, a former Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and Dr. Anne Oyewole, Head, Department of History and International Studies, described as a disciplined and dedicated scholar with a strong record of service.
Meanwhile, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, had earlier approved the appointment of Professor Mohammed Suleiman Audu of Federal University Lokoja as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.
Professor Audu, a former staff member of Kogi State University (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), is widely acknowledged for his deep institutional knowledge, having served as an internal member of the Governing Council, a member of Senate, and in several administrative capacities during his time in the University.
His wealth of experience further extends to Federal University Lokoja, his current place of primary assignment, where he served as a two-term Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dean of Student Affairs, and Head of the Department of History and International Studies.
Completing what many stakeholders have described as a “formidable governance team” is the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, who also began his academic career at the institution and rose through the ranks. He previously served as a representative of Congregation in the Governing Council before his appointment as Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, where he recorded notable achievements.
With the composition of the new Governing Council, expectations are high within the University community that the synergy between Council and Management will accelerate progress in key areas, including academic excellence, infrastructure development, staff and student welfare, and the restoration of discipline.
The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the University Management, congratulated the newly elected and appointed Chairman and members, urging them to deploy their wealth of experience and commitment toward advancing the institution in line with the education-focused vision of the Governor Ahmed Ododo’ s administration in the education sector.
