Ododo Pledges Stronger Support For Federal Varsity

Kogi state governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security, infrastructure and institutional support for the Federal University Lokoja.

He also promised immediate action on key challenges confronting the institution, including campus security, perimeter fencing, road safety and land documentation.

Governor Ododo gave the assurance while receiving the management of the university led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gbenga Solomon, on a courtesy visit at the Government House in Lokoja.

The Governor congratulated Professor Solomon on his appointment as the fourth Vice-Chancellor of the institution and commended the university management for its commitment to advancing higher education in the state.

He assured the delegation that his administration would continue to prioritise the security of lives and property within and around the university, noting that measures already put in place across the state have significantly improved safety.

Governor 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 Solomon, 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 the Kogi State Government.

He noted that no university could thrive in isolation from its host environment, and therefore called for stronger collaboration with the state government.

Solomon 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 and the burden of state taxation.

He listed others to include 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.