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