Joseph Tarka Varsity VC Marks Birthday With 64 Projects

Vice-Chancellor of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), Prof. Isaac Itodo, has marked his birthday by presenting an account of his administration’s stewardship.

He unveiled 64 projects and interventions independently verified across the university.

Itodo, who assumed office in March 2023, said the birthday provided him an opportunity not only to celebrate life but also to reflect on his years of service and the progress recorded under his leadership.
He said his familiarity with the institution had given him a deep understanding of its history, challenges and potential.

According to him, he set himself a clear target when he assumed office: four years to make a significant impact and a fifth year to consolidate, refine and build on the gains recorded.

“As I mark another year of life, my heart is filled with gratitude to Almighty God for His grace, mercy, protection and guidance. Every birthday is a gift from God, but for me, it is also an opportunity to pause, reflect and give an account of the stewardship entrusted to me.

“I have had the privilege of experiencing JOSTUM from different generations and perspectives. I have studied the institution closely, understood its challenges, witnessed its evolution and, most importantly,

understood its enormous potential,” he said.
He acknowledged that the task was not easy, given the university’s longstanding infrastructural, academic, administrative and developmental challenges.

However, Itodo said he was grateful that his administration could now point to tangible results in several areas, particularly infrastructure development, security and the physical transformation of the university environment.

The vice-chancellor also stressed that the figures presented were not based solely on claims by his administration, noting that an independent consultant was engaged to conduct a physical field survey and verification of projects across the institution.

“The instruction was simple: go to the field, see things for yourself, physically inspect the locations and document what you find,” he said.

According to him, the exercise was not merely a desk review based on documents supplied by the university administration, but involved physical inspection of project sites.

The verification report stated that 20 locations across the university were physically visited, covering academic, administrative, residential, security and service areas. It also identified 25 renovated projects and interventions.

Among them were the renovation of the main school gate entrance, Science Lecture Theatre, Career Service Centre, Research and Development Centre, University Clinic, Engr Funsho Kupolokun Lecture Theatre in the College of Engineering, College of Engineering Lecture Theatre, College of Agricultural Economics and Extension Lecture Theatre and Building, College of Animal Science Lecture Theatre and Lecture and Office Building, amongst others.

The administration also listed several security interventions, including the return of five Nigeria Police officers to be permanently stationed on campus, the introduction of new uniforms and kits for the JOSTUM Security Department, procurement of five motorcycles for security patrols, procurement of more than 60 walkie-talkie gadgets and the introduction of a comprehensive security patrol coordinated with the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army.

Other completed projects were the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Building, Agricultural Extension and Communication Building, Agronomy Research Centre, parking lots at the Prof Anande Kimbir Senate Building, College of Agricultural Economics and Extension and Sonny Echono Auditorium, amongst others.

The ongoing projects include the construction of an International Conference Centre, fencing of the male and female hostels at South Core, College of Computing Science, ICT Building, Entrepreneurship Centre and a greenhouse consisting of five separate units.

However, Itodo explained that the full independent verification report contained another category which brought the overall figure to 64 projects.

“The full independent verification report contains another category: 21 new sign posts. Therefore, 21 new sign posts, 25 renovated projects, 12 completed projects and six ongoing projects give us 64 total projects identified.”

Itodo, however, acknowledged the contributions of the Governing Council, principal officers, deans, directors, heads of departments, academic and non-academic staff, students, contractors, development partners, government agencies and members of the JOSTUM community.