By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
GOVERNING Council of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has said that it is committed to building a global institution guided only by excellence, merit and competitiveness aimed at producing successful entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba (SAN) made the disclosure at the 8th Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University Lokoja, Felele Campus on Saturday.
“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”, he said.
Ndoma-Egba (SAN) who was attending the Convocation Ceremony for the first time since his appointment urged the graduands to uphold integrity in all their endeavours.
“I urge you to uphold integrity in all your endeavours. Integrity is the cornerstone of trust, and in whatever field you find yourself, your reputation will be built not only on your qualifications and skills, but on your honesty and ethical conduct.
“Never compromise your values for short-term gains. In a world where shortcuts and unethical behaviours often seem tempting, I urge you to resist them. Always remember that true success is built on zeal and doing what is right”, the Pro-Chancellor advised.
In his address, Chancellor of the University, HRH Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, CON, the Emir of Fika commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the Federal Government’s unwavering support for the Education and development of the nation’s universities.
The Traditional Ruler held that the 8th convocation ceremony was not merely an academic ceremony but a celebration of hard work, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge adding, “It marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for our graduands.”
The Chairman, Yobe State Council of Chiefs and Emirs charged the graduands to be resilient saying that the world out there is full of opportunities, but it also presents challenges that require resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to continually learn and evolve.
In his speech, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi hinted that 2,196 students were graduating, 41 of them with First Class Honours Degree at the 2024 Convocation Ceremony, the 8th in the life of the institution and third with Prof. Akinwumi as Vice-Chancellor.
As part of his achievements, the Vice-Chancellor revealed that out of the 42 programmes presented to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for accreditation, 34 received full accreditation while the remaining eight were granted interim accreditation.
“The NUC has approved new academic programmes for our university, including LL.B. Law, Pharm. D. (Doctor of Pharmacy), B.Agric, B.MLS (Medical Laboratory Science), and B.Ed. Educational Management and Planning commencing from the 2024/2025 academic session”, he said.
The Professor of History added that the NUC has also approved the full-time delivery of eight academic programmes to be run in affiliation with Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State.
The programmes, he said, include B.Sc. Microbiology, Biochemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Public Admin., Banking and Finance, Mass Communication, Computer Science and Statistics.
Highlight of the Convocation ceremony was the presentation of certificates to the graduands and conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on five personalities who distinguished themselves in various spheres of human endeavour. (Ends)