Kogi Elders Reject FUL Governing Council Over Non inclusion of Indigenes .
” Vows to use legitimate means to seek redress.
” Promise to involve state government in the development of the University
ATABOR JULIUS LOKOJA
Kogi Elders Forum’ has rejected in its entirety the composition of Governing Council of the Federal University Lokoja over non inclusion of kogi state indigenes.
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This is as the Elders have vowed to use available legitimate means to get redress indicating that the state has been systematically taking for granted by the federal government.
The team lead of the forum, Elder Julius Elukpo PHD made the disclosure when the body paid courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi in his office on Wednesday in Lokoja.
He lamented that it has been a tradition to include at least a member from the host state in the composition of the Governing Council of federal institutions, but, kogi state was schemed out in the case of federal University, Lokoja.
He added that he has to use the instrumentality of law to fight the federal government on the need to have an indigene as Vice Chancellor of the university noting that the struggle paid off with the appointment of the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi from kogi state.
The Elder statesman noted that the visit became necessary to feel the ongoing developments in the school , alleging that previous managements had performed below expectations.
He noted that the Forum observed that the federal university Lokoja was not measuring up with her peers which was a concern to the state, stressing that the underdevelopment was a function of a non indigene as vice chancellor.
“And we saw this as a performance of the leadership. So the Elders Forum craved for the appointment of an Indigene as the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University.
“Fortunately, an indigenous Vice Chancellor was appointed. We can see the difference. As we have all heard today, he came and met about four faculties.
Today there are almost 10-14 faculties. And this is a very big glory to us that Kogi people can do it better than the non-indigenes that started it.
They started the university for us. They didn’t do anything. They didn’t measure up to standard.
“But now we are proud of the university. So we decided to come and see for ourselves. We went round the whole environment and we were very satisfied with what we saw” He confirmed.
He promised to engage the state government to be alive to their responsibilities regarding the development of the institution, pointing out that, although , the University is owned by the Federal Government, but it is however, domiciled in Kogi rendering quality education to the people of the state.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Professor, Olayemi Akinwumi had expressed his disappointment with the Government of kogi state for not lending helping hands to the University , saying, most states hosting federal Universities have been instrumental to the growth and development of the institutions.
The VC bemoaned that the University has not gotten any assistance from the state government in the last nine years adding that the state government had promised to erect perimeter fence of the University, but it has not seen the light of day after many years.
He added that the management has been struggling to secure Certificate of Occupancy CoO for the permanent site of the University to no avail and solicit for the help of Elders to use their connection to enable the state government to approve their request.
He commended the former Executive Director, Rural Electrification Agency, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare for the donation of Solar Farm and other spirited Kogites for their physical and moral support for the upliftment of the Institution, saying their investments have made the University the best of its peers in the country.
He applauded the Elders Forum’ for the visit and urge them to continue to engage stakeholders, state government and well meaning NIgerians to consider FUL as their baby that should be nurtured to adulthood.
Those on the visit include Barrister Julius Elukpo, Ambassador Usman Bello, Alhaji Isah Adeboye .
