By Monisola Aiyelabowo
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello hosted the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Federal University, Lokoja at the Council Chamber of Government House, Lokoja.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Angela Mary Freeman, while introducing the council members of the university, stated that her tenure will come to an end in February, 2021 and appealed to the Governor to extend fatherly love to the new council and its members led by Senator Christ Iheanyichukwu Adighije, PhD.
The leader of the delegation who is the Pro-Chancellor /Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Christ Iheanyichukwu Adighije, PhD said the council and its members were on a courtesy visit to congratulate the Governor on his recent victory at the Supreme Court, describing the victory as a well deserved.
He also used the opportunity to commensurate with the government and people of Kogi State, most especially the families of those who loss their lives during the fire incident that claimed over 25 lives along Felele area of Lokoja and pray to God for their souls to receive divine grace in eternity. A minute silence was observe in honour of the deceased.
The Pro-Chancellor / Chairman of the Governing Council stated that, among other objectives of their visit is to inform the Governor of the institution arrangement to move to the permanent site at Felele area by the first week of October, 2020 and the university need of approval for the Certificate of Occupancy, payment of compensation to land owners who have voluntarily relinquish their land to the university, perimeter fencing of the land, provision of intercity buses to ease movement of students and others from the temporary site to the new site at Felele among others.
Responding, the Governor said the Pro-Chancellor /Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Christ Iheanyichukwu Adighije, PhD was his mentor while at the Federal Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission, stressing that, he is a disciplined man whose mentorship has brought him and many others to an enviable position and urged the council members to tap from his wealth of knowledge and experience for the needed development of the institution, the host community, the State and the Country at large.
The Governor appealed to the council to look into the local content of the state when the choice of the next Vice Chancellor begin and on the request presented, the Governor promised to approve the certificate of occupancy when all the processes are completed and promised to look into other demands as soon as the financial situation of the State improves.
