The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi has felicitated with all Muslim faithfuls, especially staff, students, and other stakeholders of the Federal University Lokoja, as well as the good people of Kogi State and Nigerians in general, harped on the need for continued prayers for the nation, patience, tolerance, and peaceful co-existence.

Professor Akinwumi, in a Sallah message to commemorate this year's Eid el-Kabir celebration, urged the Muslim Ummah to pursue peace and unity across the divide.

In the press statement, the Vice-Chancellor reiterated: "This joyous season of Sallah is not only a time of celebration but also a period that calls for sober reflection and introspection including showing love to others. Therefore, let's open our arms and hearts and be kind towards one another, and ensure that we use this holy celebration to build bridges and not walls in order to strengthen the cords of love amongst us."

Furthermore, he added: "As we continue to hope that the state of our country improves and condition of education gets better, we will keep pursuing a worthy cause and maintain quality standards in all of our activities."

On the ongoing strike by university-based Unions, Professor Akinwumi noted that it was his earnest desire as the Vice-Chancellor to have his students and colleagues back on the campus and duty posts so that academic and other related activities capable of moving the system forward could resume. He expressed dismay over the nationwide strike that has lingered for a long period without any resolution yet but urged staff and students to keep hope alive, while empathizing with their plights.

The Vice-Chancellor assured of his Administration's commitment and unrelenting efforts towards making the University conducive for teaching, learning, and research upon resumption of academic activities, and therefore prayed for a quick and amicable resolution of all disagreements between the Federal Government and all university-based Unions. However, he encouraged staff and students to take advantage of the unfortunate situation to add value to themselves by acquiring the requisite knowledge and skills for an accelerated academic session upon resumption.

In conclusion, Professor Akinwumi enjoined Nigerians to continue to uphold the nation and the University in prayers during this celebration and remain optimistic that, through our collective faith in the almighty God, all these challenges, particularly in the education sector, would be resolved soon.

The VC used the opportunity to wish members of the University Community, especially the Muslim faithful, a happy Sallah celebration and the very best of the joyous occasion.

Barka da Sallah!