The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, has congratulated Comrade Benjamin Anthony-led Students' Union executive on their recent election victory. The newly elected leaders of the student body of the University were led by the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Musa Yusufu Abdullahi on a familiarization visit to formally introduce them to the University Management ahead of their official inauguration.

The Vice-Chancellor while congratulating the new student leaders on the success of their elections into the various offices, charged them to be innovative and project the image of the University positively as good ambassadors. He admonished them to be well-behaved in discharging their duties as Management would not condone any act of lawlessness capable of disrupting the smooth academic activities and the peace of the Institution.

Professor Akinwumi assured the student body that the University Management would not unduly interfere in their activities, but urged them to cooperate with relevant authorities to ensure a smooth tenure rather than allowing themselves to be used to cause disharmony or destabilize the University. He equally enjoined them to report any case of sexual harassment and refuse to be used by lecturers to aid sexual harassment or intimidation of their fellow students.

During the interaction which held on Thursday, the Vice-Chancellor also cautioned the students to be security conscious at all times and avoid staying out late in the night or engage in any unwholesome activities that could predispose them to security risks. He, therefore, appealed to the student body to intensify sensitization effort among the students. The warning followed the gruesome murder of a female student allegedly perpetuated by suspected kidnappers and ritualists in Lokoja, the Kogi State Capital. 

The Vice-Chancellor, who strongly condemned the heinous crime, informed the union that Management had already visited the Department of State Services (DSS), where the suspects were initially detained, and collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Command in its ongoing investigation to ensure that justice is served.

Meanwhile, the VC while reiterating his commitment to students welfare as well as student-friendly and open-door administration, directed the Dean of Student Affairs to ensure that the student union is always invited to participate in all important events and activities of the University, this was received with great joy and applause by the union leaders. He also highlighted some of his administration's developmental efforts and the challenges faced, and urged the executive to see their positions as a training ground for higher leadership responsibilities outside FUL. 

Furthermore, Professor Akinwumi told the Student's Union to synergize with the Dean of Student to work out a date for their inauguration, adding that it was going to be a colourful event as the new executive would be dressed in academic gowns while taking their oath of office - a tradition he promised to adopt going forward.

Recall that on 22nd May, the University Management led by the Vice-Chancellor inaugurated an interim Students' Union executive to oversee the affairs of the Union pending the election of substantive members into the various positions. The interim committee, drawn from different Faculties and Departments with members in their 400L, had Beauty Eneojoh as the Chairperson, Praise Akalor as the Secretary, Ummulkultum Yahaya as the Financial Secretary, Abdulmumin Mustapha as the Treasurer, and Joseph Pius Oluwadare as the Director of Social and Public Relations Officer (PRO). 

Consequently, a student electoral committee was constituted to conduct the elections which held on 9th August 2024, and the following substantive members of the Students' Union executive emerged:

1. Benjamin O. Timothy - President 

2. Mary Titilayo Olowonisi - Vice President 

3. Zuwaira Jamil - General Secretary 

4. Ekun Aduragba Samuel - Assistant General Secretary 

5. Asojo Ebenezer Omoniyi - Director of Welfare 

6. Tijani Muhammed Bashir - Director of Sport & COS

7. Winner Onimisi Aboriogun - Director of Socials 

8. Yahaya Shehu Ojima-Ojo - Deputy Chief Whip, SRC

9. Owonibi Michael - Senate President 

10. Isaiah Iko Afia - Deputy Senate President 

11. Onotu Moses Ozovehe - Chief Whip 

12. Uduimoh Mark - Director of Transport 

13. Usman Muhammed Amin Alikali - Chief Security Officer 

14. Joseph Adopisa Adomu - PRO/Director of Information 

15. Bakare Kazeem Bankole - Treasurer. See more pictures here