The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi has received the blessings of the new Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty, Mathew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche.

Professor Akinwumi, who visited the first class traditional ruler on Tuesday, 1st February, 2022 at his palace in Idah, Kogi State along with other Principal Officers of the University, congratulated His Royal Majesty on his ascension to the exalted Attah Igala Stool, while thanking him for the warm reception.

As a professor of history and distinguished scholar of global ranking, the Vice-Chancellor reiterated the importance of traditional rulers and the key roles they play in any community. He, therefore, stated that the homage became necessary in order to felicitate with him on his successful coronation as well as receive his fatherly blessings. 

In his remarks, the Attah Igala expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and his Management for coming to honour and identify with him. He urged the Vice-Chancellor to keep up with the good work he is doing in FUL, adding that the records of the VC's giant strides within the short period he has spent in the office which are all over the media, were glaring and evident to everyone.

Recall that the Vice-Chancellor, upon assumption of office, embarked on visitations to traditional rulers in the State including the Maigari of Lokoja, His Royal Highness Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi III OON; Ohinoyi of Ebira land, His Royal Majesty Alhaji (Dr) Ado Ibrahim CON; Obaro of Kabba, His Royal Majesty Ọba Solomon Owoniyi; and Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Ọba Williams Ayeni.  Professor Akinwumi and his Management Team were equally at the respective palaces of the Olu Adde of Ekinrin Adde Land, His Royal Highness Ọba Anthony Bamigbaiye Idowu; Olu of Oworo, His Royal Majesty Oba Mohammed Baiyerohi; and the Ohimegye Igu Koton-Karfe, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Abdulrazaq Gambo Sani Isakoto.

In a bid to run an all-inclusive and open-door administration, the Vice-Chancellor has continued to engage not only traditional rulers, whom he holds in high esteem but also all relevant stakeholders as partners in progress for the overall development of Federal University Lokoja. At different fora, Professor Akinwumi has continued to solicit the support of good-hearted individuals who have good ideas and influence to come on board and join him and his Management towards moving the eleven-year-old University forward and building a 21st Century University of global standard.

On the entourage of the Vice-Chancellor for the visit were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor M.S. Audu; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Abdullahi Emmanuel Bala; Bursar, Mr. Sule John Shilo, University Librarian, Dr. Sarah Dauda Yani, SSA to the Vice-Chancellor and former Registrar, University of Ilorin, Mr. Emmanuel Dada Obafemi, and the University Public Relations Officer, Mr. Daniel Nwankwo, amongst others.

The high point of the visit was the presentation of kola nut by the Vice-Chancellor which attracted the royal father’s blessing.