The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Professor Olayemi Akinwumi has expressed great sadness over the sad news of the passing of one of Nigeria's foremost monarchs and longest serving traditional rulers, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi III OON, Maigari of Lokoja and Chairman, Lokoja Local Government Traditional Council who died on Wednesday at the age of 80 after a brief illness.

Professor Akinwumi, who described the death of the royal father as a huge loss to him personally and the entire University Community, commiserated with the late Maigari's immediate family, the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, Kogi State Council of Chiefs, Lokoja Local Government Traditional Council, the Emirate, and the good people of his domain, adding that his Administration has enjoyed the goodwill and overwhelming support of the revered traditional ruler within his short stay in office.

In addition, the Vice-Chancellor stated that he would greatly miss the royal father's wise counsel and sincere love, particularly for him and the University, but will take solace in his exemplary life and indelible legacies. He noted that the paramount ruler would be remembered as a man of peace, justice, integrity, sincerity, and embodiment of immense virtues.

At the final burial of the late monarch, which took place today (Thursday) at the Maigari's palace in Lokoja and graced by the Governor of Kogi State and other dignitaries, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi ably led other Principal Officers of the University to pay tribute and final respects to the deceased as well as condole with his family, the entire Emirate, including the renowned philanthropist and Lokoja-born oil magnate, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isa Kutepa, amongst other important personalities who graced the event.

He prayed that Allah in His infinite mercies grants the late monarch Aljanatu Firdausi, Ameen.

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