IDRIS AHMED, Lokoja
Kogi state Elders Forum has commended the Vice Chancellor Federal University Lokoja Professor Olayemi Akinwumi for his concerted effort at improving the academic and infrastructural standard of the institution.
Chairman of the Forum, Dr Julius Elukpo, gave the commendation on Wednesday when hey paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor at the Felele Campus of the
University , Lokoja.
The forum Chairman who recalled that in the past they were dis satisfied with the performance of the institution, however expressed confidence in the administration of Professor Akinwumi for changing the narratives.
“In the past, we were not satisfied with the performance of the Federal University in our domain in Kogi State as we discovered that it was lagging behind compared to the Universities of the same generation, but today we are happy that a lot of positive changes have taken place” he said.
Dr Elukpo,who decried the persistent neglect of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) by the State Government leaving developmental initiatives in the institution to the Federal Government and private individuals, said the state might not be aware of its responsibilities to the Federal university.
The Chairman promised to engage the State Government to discuss the areas the state government and some individuals could come to assist the University..
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Akinwumi lamented that the University is facing difficulties in obtaining a Certificate of Occupation (C of O) for the permanent site, adding that inadequate security has also hindered the use of the gigantic students’ hostels at the Felele campus of the institution.
According to Prof Akinwumi, though the institution belong to the Federal Government, urged the state to show interest in its development, noting that the Federal Government alone can not provide all the needs of the University to effect development.
The Vice Chancellor appealed to the Kogi Elders Forum to become ambassadors of the university, attracting development and support from the state government and private organizations.