Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja
As the Federal University Lokoja is getting set for its maiden convocation ceremony, the authorities of the institution monday said it would bestow a posthumous honorary doctoral degree on the late former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi (SAN) on Saturday.
The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Angela Freeman Miri, disclosed this at a pre-convocation press conference held at the institution yesterday in Lokoja.
According to her, the move was to immortalise the late Ocholi’s memories and recognise his contributions to the development of the nation.
She said the Emir of Fika, Yobe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idriss, will be officially installed as the Chancellor of the university during the maiden convocation and would equally be bestowed with an honorary doctorate degree.
Miri indicated that the Federal Ministry of Education, had given the approval that the honorary doctorate degrees be bestowed on the personalities.
She informed that a total of 200 pioneer graduates of the university would be awarded their first degree certificates on the occasion while those with outstanding performances will receive prizes.
She said the university will launch N5 billion endowment fund during the convocation event to enable the institution raise funds to meet its infrastructural development needs at its permanent site.
Professor Miri said the university is poised to commence post graduate programmes in the university after the maiden convocation ceremony and called for supports from spirited members of the public to enable the institution actualise its goals.
She enumerated some of the challenges facing the institution to include inadequate financial resources to provide municipal services for staff and students, inadequate infrastructural facilities such as offices, lecture theaters and hostel accommodations, amongst others.
According to her, the university which was established in 2011 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, currently has a student population of 1,957 and a total staff strength of 901.
