The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Professor Angela Freeman Miri has bagged Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna Platinum Distinguished Leadership Award as an Icon of Educational Transformation in Nigeria. The Award was conferred on the Vice-Chancellor by the National Association of Northern Nigerian Students (NANNS), on Monday, 7^th December, 2020 in her office at the Felele Campus.

In his address, Comrade Ibrahim Isah Adamu, who was the leader of the delegation from Federal University of Technology, Minna, noted that NANNS was a Non-Governmental and Non-Political Organisation formed by students studying across the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the prime objectives of promoting peace, unity and good governance in order to produce quality and reliable youths with good social and moral values across the region. In addition, he stated that the Association organizes sensitization and symposiums on key issues in the society such as drug abuse, rape, sexual and domestic violence, and girl child education. The group also organizes training and skill acquisition programmes as well as collaborates with relevant security agencies in addressing the problem of insecurity in the Northern region.

Speaking further, Comrade Adamu noted that in the process of scouting for people who were giving back to the society by rendering selfless services to students, the nation and humanity in general, the Vice-Chancellor’s name was nominated and adopted without much difficulty. He pointed out that the decision was unanimously reached after considering the impressive recommendations of their members in FUL and the public at large which was validated by the Association’s independent survey which confirmed Professor Angela Freeman Miri’s contributions to societal transformation, upliftment of education, youth empowerment, students’ engagement and selfless service to humanity.

While presenting the award to the Vice-Chancellor, the leader of the group noted that the award was in recognition of her “astuteness, sagacity, uprightness, diligent disposition to her duties with absolute fairness and accountability, and above all, selfless service to the entire Students’ Community.” He maintained that the sterling leadership qualities of Professor Angela Freeman Miri as the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja and the exemplary manner in which she discharged her God-given ability towards humanity were some of the factors that motivated them to come from different Northern locations to give her the distinguished award.

Comrade Adamu, who described the Vice-Chancellor as a mother, tutor and mentor, said that they were fascinated by her large heartedness even in the face of needless distractions. He said that the award was a token of appreciation for her contributions to nation building which was also a way of encouraging others to be more committed to the development of youths in Nigeria.

In her reaction, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Angela Freeman Miri expressed appreciation to the Association, stating that the award would be an everlasting encouragement and motivation to her, her children and those she has mentored. “When you have so much pointing at you and then you find people also looking and assessing and seeing the good you are going, it gladdens your heart and encourages you,” the Vice-Chancellor remarked.

Professor Miri maintained that the purpose why God brought her to FUL was to make a difference in the young University which she had carried out diligently and dutifully. She said that she had no other option than to give her very best to the assignment that brought her to the University, saying she desired the best for the younger generation. She added that if she had any skeleton in her cupboard, she would have long been replaced as the VC of Federal University Lokoja.

The Vice-Chancellor while highlighting some of her achievements noted that God has helped her to take FUL to other parts of the world which made the University to be known globally, and that she remained optimistic that FUL would go places even long after her tenure. She stated that many collaborations were already established with other Universities outside the country, saying FUL has carved a niche for itself.

Professor Miri, who expressed sadness that the northern region had become a theatre of tragedies, commended the youths for their various interventions across the region, especially in the areas of insecurity, drug abuse, rape, and gender violence. She said she was excited that at their age they were already making impact in the society, stressing that nobody was too young to make a difference.

In addition, the Vice-Chancellor encouraged the group to be relentless in their efforts in changing the negative narratives in the northern region. “Our hope is in you, the youths. You must ensure that you do not copy the wrongs that others are doing. Ensure that you educate and insulate yourself as much as you can from all of these. The few of you can make a difference, don’t give up,” Professor Miri reiterated. 

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