The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, has joined Nigerians within and outside the country to congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on his inauguration as the 16th President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, praying for God’s guidance and wisdom as he assumes the top position to oversee the world’s largest black race. 

In a congratulatory message by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Daniel Nwankwo, Prof. Akinwumi said that the new President would require the support of Nigerians to fulfill his campaign pledges of turning around the fortune of the nation, calling on patriotic Nigerians to rally around him. 

The Professor of History however noted that it would not be an easy ride for the new government. He, therefore urged the President to bring to bear the excellence spirit that characterized his leadership during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State in piloting the affairs of this great nation, stressing that with the help of God almighty and the support of the people, he would succeed. 

“As the Vice-Chancellor of a thriving young University, it will be my greatest joy to see that this administration brings a long-term solution to the funding crisis plaguing Nigerian Universities. History will be kind to whoever champions this noble cause of defeating the recurring setback that is hindering our Universities from being at par with others across the World.

“Mr. President, we hope that you would use your highly exalted office to nip in the bud incessant strikes in Nigerian Universities by resolving the current issues with University-based Unions. This will be the greatest delight of all academics and true Nigerians,” he stated.

Professor Akinwumi further underscored the importance of adequate funding for education which is a panacea for industrial disputes that can guarantee lasting peace and sustainable development in the university system, pledging that he would continue to advocate and pursue alternative sources of funding for Universities as the government cannot shoulder the responsibility alone. 

The former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Nasarawa State University, however, expressed optimism that the era of reading the book of lamentation would soon be over with quality funding from the administration of President Tinubu.

“We can then refocus attention and deploy our energy on quality research, community service, training of graduates who can compete favorably with their counterparts across the globe, and developing an egalitarian society where every citizen will be proud while minimizing the ‘japa’ syndrome.

"We hope that within the first 100 days in office, the President, as a man of great wisdom, would have set the right tone and commitment that would bring a turnaround in the education sector. So, I encourage all Nigerians to have faith in his ability to uphold the democratic principles of his lofty position as he kick-starts efforts and put the needed machinery in place towards fulfilling his campaign promises to us,” the statement read further.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor expressed profound appreciation to the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari for granting presidential approval for the upgrade and conversion of the former Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja to a Federal Teaching Hospital for the training of medical students of the University, allowing them to achieve their dreams and contribute to the improvement of the medical profession as they graduate to become part of its workforce. He also prayed for long life and good health for the former President while wishing him the best of luck in his future endeavours.