By ojotule Romanus
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has assured that his adminstration will continue to support the development and growth of Federal University Lokoja(FUL).
Governor Ododo gave the assurance when he received top management of the Federal University Lokoja, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gbenga Ibileye, on a courtesy visit to Government House Lokoja.
The Governor congratulated Professor Ibileye on his appointment as the fourth Vice-Chancellor of the institution, just as he commended the university management for its commitment to advancing higher education in the state.
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He highlighted key areas earmarked for immediate response amongst the key challenges confronting the institution to include enhancing security within the campus, perimeter fencing, land documentation as well as safety of the students along the highway.
The governor also assured the delegation that his administration would continue to prioritise the security of lives and property within and around the university, stressing that measures already put in place across the state have significantly improved safety.
Alhaji Ododo disclosed that work would soon commence on the perimeter fencing of the university, while efforts were also underway to secure the Certificate of Occupancy for the institution’s land.
He appreciated the host communities for their patience, understanding and continued support, assuring them that all legitimate concerns, including compensation issues, would be addressed fairly and transparently.
To address the recurring road accidents around the university, the governor said the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the institution’s main gate, as well as a bypass along the Agbaja axis, remained key priorities that would be pursued in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
He recalled his administration’s investment in security through the deployment of vigilantes, local hunters, trained forest guards and other security agencies to safeguard lives and property across the state, including students and staff of tertiary institutions.
The Governor also said the official Kogi State Anthem would receive renewed attention to ensure it gains the prominence and acceptance it deserves across the state.
He observed that Kogi’s challenges were largely artificial, attributing them to divisions along ethnic, religious and political lines despite the state’s rich human and mineral resources.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gbenga Ibileye, said the visit was to formally introduce himself as the fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the institution and to deepen the partnership between the university and Kogi State Government.
He noted that no university could thrive in isolation from its host community, and therefore called for stronger collaboration with the State Government.
Professor Ibileye commended Governor Ododo’s achievements in education, infrastructure and human capital development, describing them as critical to the state’s progress.
He appealed to the governor to intervene in several priority areas affecting the institution, including the construction of a perimeter fence, issuance of the university’s Certificate of Occupancy, compensation for host communities, the burden of state taxation, improved road safety, easier transportation, construction of the Agbaja bypass and a pedestrian bridge at the university’s main gate, enhanced campus security, renewed promotion of the Kogi State Anthem, and the overall welfare of members of the university community, which he said formed part of their visit.
