Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM) Governing Council have secured the blessing and support of Benue paramount rulers in moving the university towards greater heights.
The monarchs gave their blessings when Sen. Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of JOSTUM led a delegation on a significant courtesy visit to the paramount rulers of the Tiv and Idoma nations in Benue State.
The visit, which included the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Nathaniel Itodo, and other principal officers of the university, was aimed at familiarizing with the monarchs and seeking their blessings and support as the council works to steer the university toward greater success.
The delegation first visited the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse, at his palace in Gboko. Sen. Tejuoso expressed appreciation to the Tor Tiv for graciously hosting them and sought his blessings for the council’s efforts to advance JOSTUM.
The Pro Chancellor highlighted the challenges the university faced, particularly land disputes with members of the host community. These issues, he noted, have hindered the development of essential infrastructure, such as a perimeter fence around the campus, and made it difficult to establish Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with potential investors.
Responding, the Tor Tiv offered his royal blessings for the success of the governing council and promised to intervene in the ongoing disputes. He expressed confidence that the Tejuoso-led council would successfully navigate these challenges and prayed for wisdom and guidance for the council as they worked toward the university’s advancement.
The delegation then proceeded to the Ochi Idoma’s palace in Oturkpo, where Sen. Tejuoso recognized the significant contributions of His Royal Majesty, Elaigwu Odogbo John, to the development of Idoma Land, Benue State, and Nigeria as a whole, particularly during his tenure with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
He emphasised that JOSTUM was the primary federal educational presence in Benue State and that the council’s goal was to elevate the university into one of Nigeria’s leading institutions of higher learning.
The Pro Chancellor expressed the council’s commitment to building on the work of previous governing councils to move JOSTUM forward and requested the king’s blessings and continued support. He commended the Ochi Idoma for his past contributions to the university and assured him that the council would continue to seek his advice and guidance whenever necessary.
In his response, HRM Odogbo John extended his royal blessings to the governing council and prayed for the university’s success under Sen. Tejuoso’s leadership. He encouraged the Pro Chancellor to work as a team player and remain flexible, open to advice, and collaborative with fellow council members. The Ochi Idoma also urged the council to create an environment of mutual support, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in achieving the university’s goals.
He advised Sen. Tejuoso not to assume that he alone had all the answers, but rather to tap into the collective wisdom and support of others around him. HRM Odogbo John offered himself for service to the university, assuring the council of his unwavering support in their efforts to make JOSTUM a prominent institution.
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