Education

FUL to convoke 2,196 graduands, establishes Centre for Distance/E-learning, Institute of Gender Studies


The Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Kogi State, will on Saturday, October 26, 2024, graduate 2,196 students who have successfully concluded their studies at different levels during the institution’s 8th Convocation.

This was disclosed by the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, at a press conference held on Monday, October 21, 2024, as part of activities lined up for the convocation ceremony which will end on Sunday, October 27 with an interdenominational thanksgiving service at the College of Health Science’s Auditorium, Adankolo, Lokoja.    

Giving the graduation statistics for the 8th Convocation Ceremony, Prof. Akinwumi, a distinguished professor of History, revealed that a total of 1,863 students will be conferred with first degrees, 117 students with Diploma, and 216 with Postgraduate comprising Ph.D, Master’s and PGD, making a total of 2,196.

On the performance of the undergraduate students, he said 41 came out with first class, 461 second class upper, 974 second class lower, 384 third class and 3 pass.

The erudite scholar noted that “This is a significant moment not just for the university but for the graduands and their families, as it marks the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

“We are also proud to announce that, as part of this year’s ceremony, Honorary Degrees will be conferred on eminent personalities who have contributed immensely to the development of the university and the nation at large.

“These individuals have demonstrated exceptional commitment to service, leadership, and nation-building, and we are honored to celebrate them during this convocation.

Speaking on the various achievements recorded under his leadership, Prof. Akinwumi, a Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), said: “I am excited to share that the Centre for Distance and E-learning has been established by the Management to promote flexible learning through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This centre was unveiled by Professor Som Naidu, Principal Associate at Technology, Education & Design Associates in Melbourne, Australia. The establishment of this centre signifies our commitment to adapting to modern educational needs and providing diverse learning pathways for our students.

“Similarly, I would like to highlight the establishment of the Institute of Gender Studies by the University Management to prevent sexual misconduct and to promote gender equality. This initiative reflects our dedication to fostering a safe and inclusive academic environment for all members of our university community.”

He further stated: “I am pleased to announce that our university has received approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the introduction of several new academic programmes. These include LL.B. Law, D. Pharm (Doctor of Pharmacy), B.Agric, B.MLS (Medical Laboratory Science), and B.Ed. Educational Management and Planning. Admissions for these programmes are ongoing for the 2024/2025 academic session, reflecting our commitment to broadening the academic opportunities available at our institution.

“In addition, the NUC has approved the full-time delivery of eight academic programmes to be run in affiliation with Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State. These programmes include B.Sc. Microbiology, Biochemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Public Administration, Banking and Finance, Mass Communication, Computer Science, and Statistics. We are also proud to collaborate with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, National Assembly, Abuja, for postgraduate studies. This partnership will greatly enhance our academic offerings and provide access to quality education and advanced studies for a broader audience.”

Continuing, he added: “As we celebrate the successes of our graduands, I am excited to share that the Federal University Lokoja is gearing up for the 2024/2025 academic session. We are proud to offer 58 undergraduate programs across 10 faculties, providing a diverse range of academic opportunities for our students.

“This year, over 17,000 candidates chose FUL as their first choice, with more than 11,000 scoring 160 and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and participating in our Post-UTME Screening exercise. We plan to admit 9,000 students into these programs, and I am thrilled to announce that the new academic session is scheduled to commence on November 10, 2024.

“I am delighted to inform you that the outcome of the recent NUC accreditation exercise has been overwhelmingly positive. Of the 42 programs submitted for accreditation, 34 have received full accreditation, while eight (8) were granted interim accreditation. This remarkable achievement underscores our university’s unwavering commitment to maintaining high academic standards and delivering quality education to our students.

“Looking ahead, I am excited to share that we are expecting the second accreditation visit by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) in the first week of November 2024. This is a significant step toward securing full accreditation for our College of Health Sciences. Additionally, the National Universities Commission (NUC) is also scheduled for a second accreditation visit, ensuring the continued quality of our programs. We are also awaiting the visit from the Council for Legal Education, which we anticipate by the first week of November. This programme accreditation by these regulatory bodies is crucial to the continued growth of our academic programs, particularly in the fields of Medicine and Law, and we are fully prepared for these upcoming visits.”

On infrastructural development, Prof. Akinwumi said notwithstanding the challenges posed by the dwindling economy and limited funding, FUL has made significant strides in carrying out key projects since its last convocation. Many of the projects were said to have come to fruition as a result of the determined efforts of the VC and his dedicated team.

Some of the projects include: Construction of 4- Storey Senate Building in progress; Construction of Faculty of Engineering (Phase 1); Procurement, Installation, Testing and commissioning of furniture and Equipment for 12 Nrs of Laboratories at the Faculty of Science; Construction of Assembly Hall in progress; Construction and furnishing of Faculty of Law Building (ongoing); Construction of Auditorium in progress; Construction of Perimeter Fencing at the University Permanent Site (Ongoing); Construction of One (1) Block of Two (2) Classrooms with Office, Store, Furnishing and Installation of Solar Power in Federal University Lokoja Junior Secondary School.

Other are: Renovation/Rehabilitation of the ICT Building at Adankolo campus; Renovation/ Rehabilitation of the Library Building at Adankolo campus; Electrification of the University Permanent Site, Felele campus; Positioning of integrated street lights around selected departments in Federal University Lokoja for a greater illumination and Provision of an alternative energy source (Minigrid) in selected administrative buildings.

The cerebral educationist also revealed that the university has greatly benefited from the kindness and support of philanthropic individuals and corporate entities through project donations. 

He highlighted some of the significant donations the university has received recently, which according to him include: “The ongoing construction of the Central Laboratory Building, generously funded by BUA Cement; The on-going construction of a state-of-the-art Lecture Theatre, made possible through the philanthropic contributions of Dr. (Mrs.) Gladys Makoju and her family; Substantial donations of multi-million naira medical equipment, books, and computer systems from Dr. Uche Nwankwo, a valued friend of the university, in partnership with International HOPE, Canada; The gracious donation of a Lawn Tennis Court to enhance our recreational facilities for staff and students, courtesy of Honourable Mukadam Asiwaju Asiru Idris, FCA, the Honourable Commissioner of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning (Kogi State) and The contribution of the Faculty of Pharmacy Complex by Alhaji Ahmadu Saleh, the Madaki of Lokoja.”

Michael Jegede,our guest writer filed in the story from Abuja.

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