“FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LOKOJA IS COMING OF AGE:”

AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, PROFESSOR OLAYEMI AKINWUMI ON THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICAL SCIENCES PROGRAMME IN THE UNIVERSITY HELD ON FRIDAY, 28^TH MAY, 2021 AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, ADANKOLO CAMPUS

Protocol

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is with an elated heart that I stand before this distinguished gathering today to usher in a new dawn in the history of our dear University, the Federal University Lokoja. A new dawn indeed, when we will witness the beginning of the actualization of one of the dreams we have nurtured to lead FUL to an enviable promise land.

I am happy to report that Senate at its 61^st (Special) Meeting that took place on Thursday, 27^th May, 2021 considered and approved the Establishment of Medicine and Engineering Programmes in the Federal University Lokoja.

Today, the University is kick-starting the actualization of the Establishment of the Medical Sciences Programme in earnest by inaugurating a steering Committee to start the groundwork for the commencement of the Programme.

I want to use this occasion to express the appreciation of the Senate, Management and indeed, the whole University to our two Co-ordinators who have been invited to put in place all that will be needed to successfully ensure the establishment of the Programmes of Medicine and Engineering.

Their exciting presentations to Senate yesterday 27^th May, 2021 confirm the confidence the University reposes in them to carry out these onerous assignments assiduously, to the best of their abilities to the envy of other Universities in Nigeria who may be expected to see the two Programmes in FUL as models worthy of emulation and replication.

I, therefore, want to again thank Professor Mike Ogirima of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria who will take charge of Medicine, and Professor Abdullateef Onundi of the University of Maiduguri who will be in charge of the Engineering Programme.

For today’s inauguration, it shall only be that of the steering Committee for the establishment of Medical Sciences Programme with the following membership and terms of reference.

Membership of the Steering Committee for the Establishment of Medical Sciences Programme:

1.      Prof. Mike Ozovehe Ogirima                                     -           Co-ordinator/Chairman

2.      Prof. M. S. Ajao (Human Anatomy)                            -           Member

3.      Prof. Wahab Ajape (Surgery)                                      -           Member

4.      Prof. A. A. Akande (Chemical Pathology)                   -           Member

5.      Prof. F. O. Anumah (Medicine)                                   -           Member

6.      Prof. O. V. Kolawole (Physiology)                               -           Member

7.      Prof. Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai                                                 -           Member

8.      Prof. Osereme Shadrach                                            -           Member

9.      Prof. E. S. Garuba                                                        -           Member

10.  Prof. Asalu                                                                   -           Member

11.  Dr. Joseph Ogirima Ovosi (Clinical Pharm. & Therapeutics) Member

12.  Dr. O. O. K. Ibrahim (Morbid Pathology)                   -           Member

13.  Dr. L. I. Audu (Paediatrics)                                          -           Member

14.  Dr. (Mrs) Halimat Abdulraheem (Med. BioChem)    -           Member

15.  Dr. Mary Onoja-Alex (Comm. Medicine)                   -           Member

16.  Dr. Tunde Alabi                                                           -           Member

17.  Mr. Usman Abdulkadir Yakubu                                   -           Secretary

Terms of Reference:

To provide the Blue Print for the establishment of Medical Sciences Programme in the Federal University Lokoja through the following:

i.                   Provision of requirements needed to scale through the Resource Verification as laid down by the National Universities Commission (NUC);

ii.                 Develop the required Curriculum to meet the standard best practice for the Programme;

iii.              Design a model that will not put the graduates at a disadvantage if they want to go into academics;

iv.              Advice on how to attain the minimum manpower/staff required for the take-off of the Programme in the University;

v.                 Work towards adopting the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Lokoja as the Teaching Hospital; and

vi.              Advice on any other matter that will assist in the successful establishment of the Programme.

The Committee is expected to conclude its assignment and present a report on same to Management on or before six (6) weeks of this inauguration.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me again remind the Steering Committee Members that the reasons for the establishment of these Programmes here in FUL, that were clearly underscored by the two Co-ordinators to the (Special) 61^st Senate meeting remain the basis for saddling you with these assignments.

Let me remind you, distinguished Chairman and Members of this all-important Committee that “TIME IS OF ESSENCE BECAUSE IT WAITS FOR NO MAN.” Please strive hard to tackle the assignment as urgently as practicable. FUL cannot wait any longer to commence this programme so as to COME OF AGE.

May the Almighty God grant you the wherewithal to carry out this all-important assignment successfully for the uplift of our dear University, the Federal University Lokoja.

On this note, I hereby, officially inaugurate the Steering Committee for the establishment of the Medical Sciences Programme in the Federal University Lokoja.

Thank you all for coming and God bless you.

Professor Olayemi Akinwumi
Vice-Chancellor