By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Lokoja, (FUL), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, has said that the institution is experiencing a steady growth with the commitment shown by the management, staff and students of the university aiming to be the best.
Ndoma-Egba, an erstwhile Senate Leader and ex-Board Chairman of the defunt Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), made the statement at the 8th Convocation of FUL held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, where 2,196 graduating students were conferred with different degrees.
41 of the graduands had first class with Ene-Ojo Beauty Enyo-Ojo, a 20-year-old student of the Department of Economics in the Faculty of Social Sciences emerging the best graduating student scoring a GP of 4.92.
In his speech, the Pro-Chancellor said: “As Chairman of the Governing Council, I would also like to use this platform to acknowledge the exponential growth witnessed in the university under the capable leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, who is doing exceptionally well. We have seen significant progress in academic programmes, infrastructure, and research. Federal University Lokoja is steadily growing into a globally competitive institution, and this is largely due to the dedication and vision of the university management, staff, and students.
“In line with our commitment to further developing the university, the Governing Council remains steadfast in providing the necessary governance and support to ensure that the university continues on this upward trajectory. We are focused on creating an environment that fosters academic excellence, innovation, and partnerships that will enhance the reputation and impact of this institution on both national and global scales.
“The Council under my leadership is focused on consolidating the Federal University Lokoja edge of providing functional education with a view to ensuring that our graduates become successful entrepreneurs in diverse sectors of the nation’s economy. Therefore, tribalism, religion, gender and other primordial considerations will have no influence within our university community, as we are fully committed to building a global institution that is guided only by excellence, merit and competitiveness.”
Continuing, he added: “The prevailing global and national economic crisis has led to dwindling funding to universities, world over. Council, therefore is resolved to emplacing a culture of prudent and efficient use of scarce resources. In addition, part of the goals of Council is to optimally mobilise all the resources available, physical and intangible, especially the strategic location of the university at the Confluence city of Lokoja to accelerate its growth and development. Council is also committed to supporting management to leverage its network to attract projects and Public Private Partnerships to broaden the infrastructural base of the university.
“However, the story is not all rosy for the university. While I sincerely appreciate the Federal Government for the interventions, especially TETFund that the university benefits from, I must confess that the university continues to face significant financial challenges on several fronts. The list which is long and intimidating includes laboratories, shortage of critical personnel, especially for the new programmes, library holdings, utilities, road networks, office and student accommodation. It is in the light of these challenges that the contributions of our benefactors standout. They have gone to great lengths to build edifices that will outlive all of us.
“In addressing the critical financial challenges faced by universities these days, it is essential for the federal government to provide targeted economic concessions. These institutions are not just centers of learning, they are the foundations for our nation’s intellectual and innovative future. Therefore, I propose that the government considers special provisions to reduce the operating costs of Federal University Lokoja and all the universities in the country.
“For instance, removing Federal University Lokoja from Band A in the federal electricity tariff structure and offering the university a concessional rate would significantly reduce the university’s utility expenses, allowing more resources to be directed towards educational development and research, rather than overhead costs.
“Additionally, the government should expand access to financial facilities by offering loans to universities at special interest rates, far below the current commercial levels. This would ease the financial burden on institutions like Federal University Lokoja and allow us to continue fostering the kind of academic excellence that drives national progress. I make this case for all universities, using Federal University, Lokoja as point of contact.”
The Pro-Chancellor appealed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State to see FUL as part of his constituency deserving his attention. “Your Excellency, we shall be very glad if you built the perimeter fence for us and issued us a Certificate of Occupancy for our land,” Ndoma-Egba pleaded.
He congratulated the graduating students and expressed full confidence that they will make meaningful contributions to Nigeria and the world at large based on the values that have been imparted to them in the course of their studies at FUL.
The Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, in his speech, reeled out the achievements recorded under his watch, noting that despite the challenges facing the school as a result of the dwindling economy and limited resources, significant strides have been made since the last Convocation.
He thanked the Chancellor of the University, Emir of Fika and Chairman Yobe State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Idrissa, for his fatherly support, Pro-Chancellor, Senator Ndoma-Egba, and all those who have generously made different donations and contributions to the university.
Akinwumi, a distinguished Professor of History, said of the 2,196 graduating students, a total of 1,863 students were conferred with first degrees, 117 students with Diploma, and 216 with Postgraduate comprising Ph.D, Master’s and PGD.
Honorary Doctorate Degrees were awarded to eminent personalities who have contributed greatly to the development of the institution, shown exceptional commitment to service to humanity, leadership and nation building.
Some of the prominent Nigerians that bagged the Honorary Doctorate Degree Awards include Most Rev (Dr) John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Dr. (Mrs.) Gladys Makoju and Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu.
The popular broadcast journalist, Ordinary Ahmed of Human Rights Radio, President of the Brekete Family, was live at the event to thrill and inspire the graduating students.
Dignitaries from all walks of life graced the ocassion including lawmakers, judicial officers, government officials, traditional rulers, Vice Chancellors from different universities, Rectors of Polytechnics and captains of industries.
A number of projects donated to support the school were commissioned by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Senator Ndoma-Egba.
Some of the projects include the Pharmacy building with a lab donated by Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, the Madaki of Lokoja and the lawn tennis court provided by the Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Ashiru Idris.