The Management of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has noted with utmost dismay a misleading publication by the nigerianpost.com.ng, an online news blogger, alleging that a mass protest looms as angry Kogi citizens lament hike in fees in FUL. Sadly, this is not only a misrepresentation of facts but also, a calculated effort by detractors to sabotage the developmental strides of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi.
In the purported publication of Monday, 30th August, 2021, the blogger attempted to incite the students and the general public against the person and goodwill of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi whose leadership in the last few months has been highly applauded by all well-meaning Kogites, describing him as a long-awaited blessing to the University. His all-inclusive leadership style, student friendliness is incontestable. It is important to note that within the last 7 months of this Administration, the University has witnessed a quantum leap in its development and has been ranked 35th out of the first 100 Universities in Nigeria by Webometrics Ranking report of July, 2021.
However, the Management is not also unmindful of the ever-increasing cost of living in Nigeria, education inclusive, the inability of Government to fund Universities alone. Rather than depending solely on Government’s funding, this Administration has gone ahead to create mutual relationship with private organisations and good spirited individuals some of whom are Kogites with a view to boosting the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and bringing the presence of the University closer to the people to engender rapid development of the Institution.
From the aforementioned, it is therefore misleading and utterly discomforting to read from this blogger disparaging reports insinuating an anti-people’s leadership of the Vice-Chancellor and his Management Team.
The Vice-Chancellor has not contemplated increasing school charges, not any time too soon. He understands very well the plight of his students and the prevailing economic predicament in the country. He therefore urges the students, parents/guardians and the general public to disregard this falsehood as there was neither a protest nor any being anticipated in FUL. It is also unfortunate that the publisher of the said negative reports never deemed it fit to publish any of the numerous achievements of the current Administration including the proposed establishment of the College of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering, the recent Webometrics Ranking that placed the eleven years old University 35th among the first 100 Universities in Nigeria and 3rd among the 12 newly established Federal Universities.
Finally, the University urges the general public to disregard the purported publication and take advantage of all the new programmes being introduced by the current Administration. The nigerianpost.com.ng is hereby urged to always crosscheck facts before publication to avoid misleading the general public.
Public Relations
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Federal University Lokoja
