The Medical
Director (MD) of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja, Dr. Olatunde Alabi and
his Management Team paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of Federal
University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.
In his opening
speech, the Medical Director, who was Professor Akinwumi’s childhood friend,
welcomed the Vice-Chancellor to Kogi State and wished him a successful tenure.
He further stated that Federal Medical Centre Lokoja was willing to support the
Vice-Chancellor to succeed in his lofty plans for the University and the State,
especially in his bid to start Medical School in the 10-year old University.
The Vice-Chancellor,
while responding, thanked the Medical Director and his Team for the visit and
stated that Federal University Lokoja was poised to start the School of Medicine
starting with a Pre-Clinical Science School in the Adankolo Campus of the
University. He stated that already he had approved the appointment of a Professor
of Orthopaedic Surgery from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
Zaria, Professor Mike Ogirima, to come and start the spade work towards the
take-off of the School. Professor Akinwumi added that preliminary consultation
with the Federal Ministry of Education had commenced in earnest.
Reiterating the
urgent need for a School of Medicine in the University which had received wide
commendations, the Vice-Chancellor stated that Kogi State tops states in the
Northern part of Nigeria who have her citizens seeking admission and placements
to study Medicine or seeking spaces for internships and postgraduate Medical
trainings in other parts of the country.
In the
delegation of the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre were the Head of
Clinical Services, Dr. Benard Ododo, the Director of Administration, Elder SBD
Famolu, Head of Finance and Accounts/Procurement, Alh. Jatto Shaib, and the Head
of Public Relations, Mallam A Abdulahi.
Similarly, with
the Vice-Chancellor to receive the delegation were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor,
Professor Mohammed Suleiman Audu, the Registrar, Mallam Usman Suleman Obansa,
the Acting Librarian, Dr. Lanre Mbashir, the Acting Head of Health Services,
Dr. Magnus Chinemerem Ogaraku, and the Deputy Registrar, Human Resources, Mr.
Benjamin Mshebwala
The high points
of the meeting were exchange of souvenirs by both parties and a group
photograph.