AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR OLAYEMI AKINWUMI, PH.D, FHSN, AVHF, FNAL, ON THE 5TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LOKOJA HELD ON SATURDAY, 13TH NOVEMBER, 2021 AT THE FELELE CAMPUS, ALONG OKENE-LOKOJA-ABUJA ROAD, KOGI STATE

Protocol

With immense gratitude to God Almighty, I wish to formally welcome the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Visitor to the University, Muhammadu Buhari and all our Invited Guests on behalf of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council and other Distinguished Members of Council, Senate, Management, Staff and Students of this great University to our Fifth Convocation Ceremony. We are grateful to all our dignitaries who came from far and near to honour our invitation and for your demonstration of goodwill towards the University. Our most respected Chancellor, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idriss CON, I heartily welcome you to the Fifth Convocation Ceremony.

I warmly welcome the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed mni, MFR, FNAL.

We are equally grateful to the Executive Governor of Kogi State and his Cabinet for honouring our invitation despite his busy schedules. I sincerely welcome our hard working Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Senator (Dr.) Chris Adighije and all the members of the Governing Council for their selfless service to lead the university to the next phase of development.

Visiting Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of sister Universities, Rectors and Provosts Polytechnics and Colleges of Education and Royal Fathers, we appreciate your presence and thank you for your continuous supports. All our invited guests, parents and guardians, staff, students and friends, I most sincerely welcome you as we celebrate this epoch making occasion.

The Visitor, Sir, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fifth Convocation Ceremony represents another milestone in the history of Federal University Lokoja. Let me use this golden opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to our Convocation Lecturer, Professor Toyin Falola, Professor of Africa History at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA, for his scintillating, topical Convocation Lecture entitled: “Africa in the Throes of Double Pandemic: COVID-19, Terrorism and the Future of Education in the New Normal” The lecture was very interesting, stimulating and highly educative. Before this day, the Department of History and International Studies had organized a One Day Conference in his Honour Tagged: Insurgency, Armed Banditry and Ethno-Religious Conflicts in Nigeria. This conference was attended by Academics within and outside the shores of Nigeria. We thank Prof. Toyin Falola profusely for sponsoring the conference and providing logistics and accommodation for the conferees.

Celebrating our Graduating Students

As a historian, I want to remind you that on 4th November, 2017, the Federal University Lokoja graduated a total of 285 students who were found worthy in character and learning. During its 3rd and 4th Combined Convocation Ceremony, a total number of 708 students were found worthy in learning and character and admitted to First Degree of the University. Today, we are here to celebrate the Fifth Convocation Ceremony of the university and incidentally, this is my first Convocation Ceremony as the third substantive Vice Chancellor of the University and the first in the School of Postgraduate Studies where a total number of 66 Post Graduate Diploma students in ten various programmes will be graduating.

The breakdown of the Classification of the Degrees by Faculties and Departments for the fifth set is as follows:

Faculty of Arts

S/N	Department	No. Of Graduands	First Class	Second Class Upper	Second Class Lower	Third Class
1	English & Literary Studies	83	NIL	06	65	12
2	History &International Studies	121	NIL	28	78	15

Faculty of Social Sciences

S/N	Department	No. Of Graduands	First Class	Second Class Upper	Second Class Lower	Third Class
1	Economics	118	04	32	68	09
2	Geography	56	01	10	31	14
3	Political Science	81	NIL	19	50	12

Faculty of Science

S/N	Department	No. Of Graduands	First Class	Second Class Upper	Second Class Lower	Third Class
1	Biological Sciences	70	01	29	31	09
2	Chemistry	55	02	18	28	07
3	Computer Science	116	01	22	42	10
4	Geology	21	NIL	08	13	NIL
5	Mathematical Sciences	22	02	07	11	02
6	Physics	32	01	07	20	04
7	Statistics	09	02	02	04	01

 

 

Overall Summary of the Classification of Degrees

First Class	Second Class Upper	Second Class Lower	Third Class
14	188	441	95

I heartily congratulate our graduating students on this academic feat and rejoice with you and your family for the journey so far. I admonish you to be good Ambassadors of Federal University Lokoja and ensure that you strive to uphold the morals and values of this noble university. I congratulate you immensely for this huge success.

 Situation Reports

Mr. President Sir, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen permit me to update you on the situation reports of the university since my assumption of office on 15^th February, 2021.

Movement to Permanent Site

 The formal movement to the Felele Campus (Permanent Site) which my predecessor initiated on 11th December, 2019, with only the Principal Officers moving with their immediate staff has been taking further in compliance with Council’s directive, and in an effort to achieve the much-needed physical development and programme expansion, the movement of all non-teaching Units and Departments to the Felele Campus commenced on 1^st June, 2021, and was completed on 7^th June, 2021. The relocation process was successful and staff members have settled in gradually but not without some challenges.  Also, the relocation of the faculties and the students to the Felele Campus started in September this year; Faculties of Arts, Education, Management Sciences and Social Sciences have moved to the Felele Campus and lectures have started since the commencement of the 2020/2021 Academic Session. However, the absence of critical infrastructure and essential services remain enormous challenges that require huge capital investments. We therefore, solicit for your assistance to develop this campus to make it conducive for work, teaching and learning and research. 

Appointments Made and Reforms Initiated Since Assumption of Office

In our bid to hit the ground running and initiate reforms across various sectors of the University, we needed to immediately make fresh appointments, and ensure that the vacancies that existed in some Units, Departments, Schools and Directorates, were filled. All Acting appointments in the academic unit were made substantive and general re-organization was carried out with due diligence and devoid of sentiment. These appointments were all encompassing and propelled by my desire to unify the community to work together towards achieving our common goal. The officers have since taken charge of their respective areas of assignment, and have kick-started their programmes and activities accordingly. In the same vein, the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, the Registry and the Bursary were restructured for efficient and effective service delivery. Also, a major staff reshufflement was carried out, following a policy directing the redeployment of all members of staff who had spent 4 years or more on a post, to other areas of responsibilities. This was aimed at reinvigorating the University’s workforce, and strengthening its administrative processes.

Inaugural Lectures

In my desire to promote academic excellence through the institutionalization of academic traditions and ceremonies, one of the first committees I appointed upon assumption of office was the Committee on Inaugural Lectures, under the chairmanship of Professor Joseph O. Omolehin, the Dean, Faculty of Education. Subsequently, the 3rd in the series of Inaugural Lectures in the University and the 1^st under my leadership was delivered by Professor Emmanuel Abdullahi Bala, the Dean, Faculty of Science, on 3rd April, 2021, titled, “The Hydrologist and Sustainable Groundwater Supply”.  As a clear testament of my resolve, and barely 3 months after, the 4th in the series of Inaugural Lectures and the 2nd under my leadership, was delivered by Professor Mathew Ola-Rotimi Ajayi of the Faculty of Social Sciences, on 30th June, 2021, titled, “The All African Game: Rotimising the Politics of Poverty and the Poverty of Politics”. The 5th in the series of Inaugural Lectures and 3rd under my leadership was delivered by Professor Lucky O. Ovwasa, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, on 28th July, 2021, titled, “Nigerian Politics: Many Rivers to Cross”. After ‘crossing many rivers’, the 6th in the series of Inaugural Lecture Was delivered by Prof. Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, on 29th September, 2021, titled, “As a Man Thinks in His Heart, So He Speaks to His World”. This was the 4th under my leadership. These lectures were very successful and had in attendance government functionaries, scholars of high repute, and other distinguished personalities from all works of life. In order to sustain the momentum, sometime later in the month, 24^th November, 2021, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Suleiman Audu will be delivering the 7th Inaugural Lecture and the 5^th under my Leadership titled, “Life is Endless Battle and Conflict: The World is Becoming Less Peaceful”.

Public Lectures

The University has not relaxed in its bid to strengthen Town and Gown relationship and carry out Community Service through public lectures. These public lectures are aimed at projecting the frontiers of knowledge and global visibility of the university. On the 24th August, 2021, the first in the series of Public Lecture titled, “Corruption in West Africa: The Role of Linguist and Literary Scholars” was delivered by Prof. Adams Bodomo, A Chair of African Languages and Literatures, University of Vienna, Austria. On 11th October, 2021, the University in collaboration with The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) held the second Public Lecture titled, “Public Sector Financial Reforms as Panacea to Eradicating Corruption and Enthrone Accountability” was delivered by Mrs. Comfort Olajumoke Eyitayo, the ICAN President. The former Chief of Army Staff and former Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman B. Danbazau, Rtd presented the 3^rd public lecture series titled “Nigeria and Her Security Challenges: Revisited”. The lecture was delivered on Thursday, 4^th November, 2021. These lectures were well attended by dignitaries from all walks of life. We hope to sustain the tempo.

Webometrics Ranking: Second Edition of 2021

In the July 2021 edition of the Webometrics ranking of world universities, Federal University Lokoja is ranked 3^rd among the 12 Federal Universities, 35^th in the country, 122^nd in Sub Sahara Africa, 221^st in Africa and 5024^th worldwide. This is a lot of improvement on the January ranking (before my assumption in February) where Federal University Lokoja was ranked the 7^th among the 12 new Federal Universities, 78^th in the country, 255^th in Sub Sahara Africa, 396^th in Africa and 10604^th worldwide. The Transparency/Openness index is one of the research indicators of the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities. It is usually published a month before the main ranking in January and July of the year in focus. Accordingly, the second edition of 2021 Transparency Ranking was published at http://webometrics.info/en/transparent on the 25^th of June, 2021. I am pleased to inform this august gathering that our painstaking efforts at enhancing the University’s visibility and improving on its ranking, is beginning to bear fruits, as Federal University Lokoja for the first time secured a ranking of 3528 out of 4236 institutions, and had a citation count of 3103. This was achieved despite the very strict exclusion criteria employed for the webometrics ranking. While this modest achievement is worth celebrating, we intend to aim higher. To achieve this, we have commenced the process of ensuring that all teaching staff and technologists create their Google Scholar Profiles using the fulokoja.edu.ng email.

Preliminary, Remedial, Certificate and Diploma Programmes

I would like to inform our Distinguished Guests that we have expanded our preliminary and remedial programmes to include the Arts and Social Sciences and have introduced ICT Training in the following programmes:

1. ICT programme in Information Technology such as:
2. Certificate Course in Desktop Publishing (3 Months or 12 Weekends)

iii.        Certificate Course in Word Processing (3 Months or 12 Weekends)

1. Certificate Course in Data Processing (3 Months or 12 Weekends)
2. Certificate Course in Web/Graphic Design (3 Months or 12 Weekends)
3. Certificate Course in Programming (PHP, MySQL, Python, JAVA, C++ (3 Months)

vii.       Advanced Certificate in Data Processing (3 Months or 12 Weekends)

viii.      Advanced Certificate in Web Development (6 Months)

1. Advanced Certificate in Hardware maintenance (6 Months)
2. Advanced Certificate in System Networking and Management (6 Months)

Establishment of Institutes and Partnerships

I will like to inform you that we have established the Institute of Education and the Institute of Governance and Development Studies which we have obtained permission to commence Some Special Programmes and even Post-Graduate Programmes in the Institute.

In spite of the daunting challenges encountered due to limited resources that has adversely affected the provision of more facilities in the University, the Management of the University remains committed in its resolve to move Federal University Lokoja to a higher level academically and administratively. This is our drive. The university has also signed a memorandum of understanding with RWEYDF for training of high caliber Executive programmes in computing.

Staff Audit

Following repeated complaints by members of staff and reports of placement irregularities, it became imperative for staff audit to be carried out. This was to provide a basis for, reviewing and determining the appropriateness or otherwise of staff placements – in relation to their qualifications, authenticating their credentials, identifying and eliminating ghost workers, if any, bringing personnel records up to date and establishing effective record keeping procedures. The ongoing staff audit requires the physical appearance of all members of staff, and the presentation of their original certificates and other relevant documents for sighting by the committee. The report of the committee would be presented to Council in due course.

Re-Accreditation of Programmes in the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences

The programmes in the Faculties Arts and Social Sciences are due for re-accreditation. The university has completed all the necessary formalities and made all payments in respect of the re-accreditation of the programmes. We are committed to sustaining the highest standards of all our academic programmes that would guarantee full accreditation at all times even as we prepare for re-accreditation of these programmes very soon.

Graduation and Admission of Fresh Candidates

The University has maintained a stable Academic Calendar which I believe is one of the motivating factors that have inspired many candidates to choose Federal University Lokoja as their University of most preferred. In 2019/2020 Academic Session which I inherited, we received over 2,600 applications and only 1,500 was to be admitted based on our limited carrying capacity.

In view of the above, on Thursday, 22nd April, 2021, I led a delegation of management to the NUC and JAMB. This was in our desire to increase the student population, achieve key milestones as contained in the University’s Academic Brief and improve on our internally generated revenues. I am glad to report that our request for an upward review of the University’s admissions quota was granted, and a new quota of 3,722 was allotted to the University on the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Thereafter, a total of 4,381 (UTME and DE) candidates registered for the Post-UTME screening exercise, while 3,863 participated in the screening exercise. Currently, over 3,100 candidates, spread across all the programmes, have accepted their admission offers, while others are still in progress. The University registration portal is still open for the newly admitted students and returning students to complete their registration for the new academic session which started in September, 2021.

Actions Taken So Far on the New Academic Programmes that were established illegally

The University previously offered eleven (11) academic programmes up until 2019 when 38 (thirty-eight) new programmes were established and bringing the total number of programmes in the University to 49 (forty-nine). Despite the initial problems encountered, the National Universities Commission (NUC) was magnanimous in approving these programmes and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) entertained our requests and graciously approved the listing of the Programmes on CAPS. We secured a waiver to admit students into all the programmes and the NUC agreed to come for resource verification before the end of the year for the new programmes.  The university has paid all the necessary charges in preparation for resource verification of the programmes.

Below are all the programmes being offered by the University and which are now listed on CAPS. The university graciously appreciates the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission for drastically reducing the amount required for resource verification of these programs:

1. Faculty of Arts
2. B.A. Archaeology
3. B.A. African Languages and Literature
4. B.A. Arabic Studies
5. B.A. Linguistics
6. B.A. Modern European Languages - French; German; Chinese
7. B.A. Music
8. B.A. Theatre Arts
9. B.A. Christian Religious Studies
10. B.A. Islamic Studies
11. B.A. Philosophy

 

1. Faculty of Education
2. B.A. (Ed.) English Education
3. B.A. (Ed.) History Education
4. B.A. (Ed.) Economics Education
5. B.A. (Ed.) Geography Education
6. B.A. (Ed.) Political Science Education
7. B.Ed. Social Studies Education
8. B.Ed. Business Education
9. B.Ed. Guidance & Counselling
10. BLIS Library and Information Science
11. B.Sc. (Ed.) Biology Education
12. B.Sc. (Ed.) Chemistry Education
13. B.Sc. (Ed.) Computer Science Education
14. B.Ed. Integrated Science Education
15. B.Sc. (Ed.) Mathematics Education
16. B.Sc. (Ed.) Physics Education

 

1. Faculty of Management Science
2. B.Sc. Accounting
3. B.Sc. Banking and Finance
4. B.Sc. Business Administration
5. B.Sc. Public Administration

 

1. Faculty of Science
2. B.Sc. Biotechnology
3. B.Sc. Industrial Chemistry
4. Faculty of Social Sciences
5. B.Sc. Mass Communication
6. College of Health Sciences
7. Basic Medical Sciences

Establishment of Part-Time Programmes

In a bid to expand the academic programmes in the university and upon application to the NUC for the establishment of part time programmes, the Executive Secretary graciously approved the establishment of the following part time programmes effective from the 2020/2021 academic session:

1. A. English and Literary Studies
2. B,A. History and International Studies
3. Sc. Economics
4. Sc. Geography
5. Sc. Political Science

Consultancy Services and Ventures

The 2nd Governing Council, at its 2nd meeting held on Wednesday, 13th, 14th and 15th, June, 2016, had approved the establishment of the Directorate of Consultancy and Ventures. The Directorate has now been activated, and is ready to take advantage of its surrounding and the expertise amongst the staff and students of the University to offer services to the immediate and wider community to help generate revenues. As part of its mandate, the Directorate, in collaboration with the University Management, recently registered a Limited Liability Company – FUL Felele Consult Ltd, with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and initiated talks with a number of tertiary institutions around areas of shared interest. In addition, and following the approval of Senate, it is offering flexible and broader learning access, through the introduction of Certificate and Diploma Programmes, Part- time courses and Distance/e-Learning study options. Also, the Directorate is forming partnerships with private establishments, Non-Governmental Organizations and multilateral institutions. More of these collaborations would be pursued and consummated in due course. Ultimately, the Directorate is to, enhance the revenue profile of the University, be self-sustaining and profit driven.

Courtesy Calls on Traditional Rulers in Kogi State and Familiarization Visits to Security Agencies

Between 7th April, and 5th May, 2021, I led a delegation of the University Management to pay courtesy calls on, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Ibrahim; the Ohimege-Igu of Koton-karfe, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Abdulrazaq Gambo Isakoto; and the Olu of Oworo, His Royal Majesty Oba Mohammed Baiyerohi, the Obaro of Kabba, His Royal Majesty, Oba Solomon Owoniyi and the Olu Adde of Ekinrin Adde, His Royal Highness, Oba Anthony Bamigbaiye Idowu (Ahe Maworo). Earlier upon my assumption in February, 2021, I paid a courtesy call on the Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Muhammadu Miakarfi the 3^rd.The visits were in recognition of the very important role that traditional rulers play in society, and to solicit their support in actualizing our development agenda for the University. Similarly, we paid familiarization visits to the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and Kogi State Vigilante Services, in Lokoja. The aim was to further strengthen the cordial relationship that exists between the various security commands and the University, and to reiterate the need for a more robust security presence on both campuses of the University, particularly in and around the Felele Campus.  The various security agencies have made positive commitments to the university in this regard and have since been working with us as usual.

Visits to The University by The Presidential Visitation Team, The Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) of The Needs Assessment Intervention In Nigerian Universities (NANPU), The TETFund Team of Inspectors, and The House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education and Services

The University played host to the Presidential Visitation Team, led by Ambassador Godswill Igali. The Visitation Team embarked on a tour of the Adankolo and Felele campuses, received submissions from stakeholders in the University, and interacted extensively with the Management, the students’ and staff unions, on a broad range of issues.  The Team highlighted some critical issues and took account of the many challenges in the University. In the same vein, the Implementation Monitoring Committee of Needs Assessment Intervention in Nigerian Public Universities (NANPU), visited the University on 13^th April, 2021, to monitor the implementation of projects in the University under the 2019 Revitalization Fund, and to assess the level of completion of projects under the 2013 intervention. Likewise, the visit by the TETFund Team of Inspectors, and the House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education and Services, recorded similar outcomes. Gaps were identified in the University’s Academic Staff Training & Development (AST&D) submissions, and in its 2020 Capital Budget Performance report. In view of the above, and in line with their recommendations, some of the identified gray areas are currently being investigated. In addition, efforts are ongoing to reform the University’s financial processes.

Working Visits to Innoson Motors, Federal Ministry Of Works, Federal Ministry Of Power, Federal Ministry Of Water Resources And National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

The University’s financial situation remains very poor. This unfavourable situation prompted the visit of the University Management to Innoson Motors, Nnewi, Anambra State, on 20^th May, 2021, to explore the possibility of collaboration using the Public-Private-Partnership model, and acquiring some vehicles for the University under a flexible payment plan. Innoson Motors presented some interesting proposals that are still being studied by University Management.

We had earlier visited the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Ministry of Power, the Federal Ministry of Water and the National Information and Technology Development Agency, to solicit their assistance towards addressing some of our challenges. The Honourable Minister of Power, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, promised to assist the University with the construction of 1.8km access road, while others equally pledged assistance. All of these are work in progress, and I want to use this opportunity to remind our esteemed guests to come to our aid in meeting any of our needs to enable the University carry out her responsibilities.

Industrial Harmony on Campus

Upon assumption of office, the crisis in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), was one of the most delicate and complex problems I had to immediately confront. I held series of meetings with both factions, and embarked on private visits to the residences of the key actors in the crisis, and passionately appealed to them to reconcile and embrace peace. I also made it very clear that there would be no room for divisions or factions in the University under my leadership. I am glad to report that ASUU in Federal University Lokoja is now united, as members of the breakaway faction, Progressive Academic Staff Union (PASU), have since returned to the fold. As a Management, we are actively engaging the Labour Unions in the University: ASUU, SSANU, NASU, NAAT, so as to enhance labour management relations and promote industrial harmony. Already, I have appointed the chairmen of all the unions into the Vice-Chancellor’s Advisory Committee. Also, as soon as the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA)/Earned Allowance (EA) was released by the Federal Government in April, 2021, we ensured that it was promptly processed and paid to members of the various staff unions.

Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA) Week/Lectures

The Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA), Federal University Lokoja Chapter, held the 4^th Series of its Workshops/Capacity Development Training on Wednesday, 16^th through Thursday, 17^th June, 2021, under the theme: “21^st Century University Administrators: Expectations and Challenges”. I am glad to report that this event, although organised by ANUPA, FUL Chapter and at no cost to the University, provided the University Management with the right opportunity and platform to advance the training of its Administrators, so as to sharpen their skills for enhanced service delivery.

Recruitment of Academic and Non-Teaching Staff

The university is in dire need of manpower in academic and non teaching. To meet up this manpower needs of the University, we look forward to securing approval to recruit into our new Faculties and Departments and meeting other special needs of existing Programmes. We urge His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to salvage our plight and lift the embergo on employment so that the university can aggressively recruit its manpower needs.

Academic Staff Training & Development (Study Fellowship)

Academic staff of various Departments is being considered for award of Foreign Study Fellowship to pursue Master and Ph.D programmes in their respective fields through TETFund intervention. Some Academic Staff are also being considered for award of Local Study Fellowships to pursue their Ph.D Progrmmes and Master Degrees through TETFund Sponsorship. We are striving to increase and improve on the existing facilities and to equally lay emphasis on Staff Training and Development so that the University would be able to cope with the increasing number of students.

TETFund Conferences, Workshops Attendance and Academic Research Journals

As a result of the recent embargo on conference sponsorship by TETFund, we have not been able to sponsor anyone to attend any conference since my assumption of duty in February, 2021.The following Faculty Journals were being sponsored by TETFund:

1. Journal of Research and Development in Arts and Social Sciences- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
2. Confluence Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences- Faculty of Science

University Library

The University Library is the hub of research in the university. The library was in a state of decadence with low book collections at the time I assumed office in February, 2021. The situation of the university library was so precarious that management declared a state of emergency. I am happy to announce that management has taken drastic measure to restore the utility value of the library. We have commenced the process of re-stocking collections and book titles in conjunction with the end users. We are determined to equip the library of the university with up to date resource materials to enable it perform its resource repository role in the community of scholars. The Library is equally open to those who are neither staff nor students, provided they would abide by our rules and regulations. The Bindery section of the library is being re-organised to cope with the reality of the moment using updated book mending and bindery services. It is the intention of the management to expand bindery services for revenue generation in the university.

Promotion of Staff

Promotion of eligible staff members is a top priority of the University Management and Governing Council therefore, the Promotion Exercise for the year 2020, which I inherited, has been completed and letters have been issued to eligible staff up to Senior Lecturer.  For the professorial cadre, external assessment reports are trickling in gradually. Just last Senate, on November 4^th 2021, I announced the promotion of Dr. Ezra Gbaje and Dr. Serah Yani of the University Library as Professor and Reader. The Processes for the 2021 Promotion Exercise have been initiated and it is on the verge of completion any time soon and then forwarded to the University Governing Council for approval.

Conclusion

I want to appreciate the Visitor, Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council and Members, Senate, Management, Staff and Students of this noble University for making the environment conducive for us to achieve these modest leap forward in the development of the University.  Let me also, acknowledge that the success that we have all witnessed today by the grace of God became possible due to the efforts and cooperation of Federal University Lokoja members of staff who were mobilized and who served in various Committees to ensure a successful 5th Convocation Ceremony. I am personally indebted to you for your efforts. God bless you all. Finally, I appreciate  the presence of all our invited Guests, dignitaries, graduands, staff and students, families and the general public for gracing this occasion. As you will be returning to your various places, I wish you journey mercies and God’s protection. We are indeed, very grateful!