On the 3rd of March 2021, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja and his management team paid a courtesy call on the Royal Father, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mohammed Kabir Mikarfi III, the Maigari of Lokoja at his Royal Residence in the karaworo area of the town.

As the 3rd and first indigenous Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi was very proud to return to his land of birth where he first took is primary education. He told the royal father that he holds a sentimental attachment for Lokoja having been born and raised in the same land where his parents first lived and survived the Civil War.

Professor Akinwumi spoke passionately about his readiness to give back to the community that has given him and his family so much, many years ago.

He therefore, seized the opportunity to request the blessings and support of the royal father to rally the great sons and daughters of Lokoja to throw their weight behind his administration.

Professor Akinwumi pledged to take the university to heights that will become the envy of many with the help of God and support of the royal father and the people of Lokoja.

He further spoke on the steps taken towards establishing the College of Medicine and the Faculty of Engineering and enlisted the support of His Royal Highness.

Speaking on movement to the permanent site at Felele, Professor Akinwumi said his administration has a matching order which he is   happy to comply with but will need the assurances of the traditional ruler in the areas of security and infrastructure. The VC called on the Royal father to use his influence to attract more Developmental Projects to the campus in Felele Pledging to name such infrastructures after their donors.

On the perimeter fencing, the VC requested His Royal Highness to use his good office to encourage the State Government to make good her promise to provide perimeter fencing and to ensure the release of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to the university as that has brought a lot of setbacks even to the Rural Electrification Project that would have ensured the provision of electricity to the Felele campus.

In his response, the Maigari assured the Vice-Chancellor of his maximum support, stressing that he will identify with every good person whose intentions are pure and desires are genuine.

He encouraged Vice-Chancellor to work hard to give the image of the university and the State, especially Lokoja, an ancient kingdom an enviable position in the comity of states.

The royal father further assured Professor of support and God's blessings. He told the Vice-Chancellor that it is God who gives, and whatever he gives, he will bless and protect.

On those claiming the land where the Felele Campus of the university is sited, the royal father told the Vice-Chancellor not to be perturbed, saying that those who have grievances know where to channel same. He noted that Government gave the land to the university and therefore, it would ensure that every paper work is sorted to enable the University to properly settle down.

His Royal highness thereafter, presented the Vice-Chancellor with a royal gift and wished his administration well.

Report by:
Public Affairs Unit, Federal University Lokoja