The Ohinoyi of Ebira Land and Acting President, Kogi State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Ibrahim CON has said that he would institutionalize an Annual Royalty Award for Overall Best Graduating Student of Federal University Lokoja, to encourage hard work and promote healthy competitions amongst students of the University.

This was disclosed during a courtesy visit to the Royal Father by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi and his Management Team at his beautiful palace in Okene on April 7, 2021.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi thanked the Ohinoyi for his fatherly role and the support he has given to the University since inception. The Vice-Chancellor equally used the opportunity to present some key demands, among which was the plea that the Ohinoyi should institutionalize an Annual Royalty Award for the Overall Best Graduating Student or Best Graduating Student from any Faculty or Department of his choice, of which the Royal Father, without hesitation, gladly gave his nod.

Other prominent request made by the Vice-Chancellor was that His Royal Majesty should use his good office to persuade the State Government to make good its promises to the University, one of which was with regard to constructing a perimeter fence at the University Permanent Site (Felele Campus), in order to guarantee safety of lives and properties, as well as provide a sense of security to staff and students of the University.

Professor Akinwumi, while soliciting more support of the revered Traditional Ruler, appealed to him to rally the illustrious sons and daughters of Ebira Land to throw their weights behind his developmental agenda for the University, adding that any project or structure built by any of such good-spirited individuals would be named after them.

In his response, the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, who was highly elated for the visit, pledged his unalloyed support for the administration, assuring that he would continue to give maximum support for education in the State.

His Royal Majesty stated that the Royalty Prize for Best Graduating Student would take effect from the next Convocation Ceremony of the University, and expressed willingness to support the administration of Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi in his bid to making FUL a 21^st Century University. He commended the Vice-Chancellor for his forthrightness and openness in the administration of the University since he took over the mantle of leadership, saying he was highly impressed by his uncommon humility and prayed for his success.

While enjoining the University Management to ensure a conducive and friendly atmosphere that would encourage crossbreed of fresh ideas and attract funding, the Ohinoyi warned against half-baked education that could jeopardize the dream of raising future leaders for the nation. He urged teachers to inculcate in their students “finisher mentality” by taking pride not only in starting but finishing any project they embark upon.

In the entourage of the Vice-Chancellor during the courtesy visit were Professor M.S. Audu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor; Mr. Benjamin Mshebwala representing the Registrar; Dr. (Mrs) Sara Dauda Yani, University Librarian; Mr. Atanze Syrenius Elogun representing the Bursar; Mr. Emmanuel Obafemi, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Vice-Chancellor; Mr. Olukayode Adedayo Ojo, Acting Director, Physical Planning and Development Department (PP&DD), and Mr. Bello Emmanuel, University Public Relations Officer, amongst others.

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