By Maryam Gulma in Lokoja.
,,,2 State Universities Governing Council Inaugurated.
The Kogi State government has inaugurated the governing council of two universities in the state, Kogi State University of Science and Technology CUSTECH,Osara and Kogi State University, Kabba .
Our correspondent reports that the State Solicitor General, Falilat Musa inaugurated the two governing councils at the Government House, Lokoja, on Monday, when she administered the Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy to the members.
She said that the councils would be expected to make deliberate efforts to diversify the sources of funding and support for the affected universities.
The appointees in the governing council of the universities are:
Prof. Olu Obafemi, Chairman and Pro Chancellor, Confluence University of Science and Technology, CUSTECH, Osara.
Prof. Suleiman Sadiku,
Chairman and pro chancellor, Kogi State University, Kabba, other council members are:
Prof. Olusegun Adeyemi , Prof. Abubakar Salisu , Prof Abdulkarim S Ahmed Dr. Aisha M. Sakol, Prof. YKE Ibrahim and Sir. Johnson Jimoh
The Governor of the state, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by Secretary to the State Government Dr. Folashade Ayoade Arike,said the members were trusted personalities.
The governor appreciated them for accepting to serve in the state universities, pointing out that the value they had in the members that led to their selection.
Ododo said:”This is a special call to duty and service. And looking at the calibre of people on this board, I am convinced that you are up to the task.
“To ensure the smooth running of affairs, therefore, Governing Councils at all times should be in consultation with the nanagement of these universities, they have to be abreast of current laws, government policies, White papers, Circulars, Gazettes, and other relevant documents that will help them in taking decisions.
The advised the council members to work hand in hand to achieve the objectives of government towards education.
According to the governor, it is the role of the council to support management in the implementation of policies and decisions of the Council.
The Governing Council are rather expected to be concerned with policy issues, adopting best practices, monitoring of institutions’ projects and attracting more funding outside regular Government allocation to improve the facilities and infrastructure that will promote teaching, research and learning in the institutions,” he added.
Ododo appealed to the management of the universities to consider the governing council as partners in progress, stressing they are there to move the universities forward.
The, therefore,called on the members to put in their best in the discharge of their duties and prayed God to guide them in the discharge of their duties.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology,Dr.Wemi Jones, commended the immediate past administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello for establishing the two universities, adding that by that, “Kogi State broke the record of establishing two universities within four years.”
He said Kogi State University, Kabba admitted in its first matriculation, 1,083 to which Kogi indigenes constitute more than 85 per cent of the population.
According to the commissioner,” the implications of this is that, if Kogi State University Kabba did not come on board,more than 800 students of Kogi will be at home not having a university to attend.
He reaffirmed that the two universities came on board in order for the students to get quality education and for the state to produce globally competitive graduates.
He said Kogi state is blessed with people grounded across all human endeavours
The Commissioner noted that the Government of Alhaji Ahned Usman Ododo carefully selected the best to come and help in ensuring the dreams of making Kogi State the educational hub in Nigeria does not remain a mirage because kogi state is blessed with people grounded across all human endeavors.
In his Vote of thanks, Prof. Olu Obafemi,on behalf of the newly appointed council members, promised they would be dedicated to work in a unified way.
He avowed that
coming home to serve was an honour, adding that members of the council would put in their best not to disappoint the government and the people of the state.
He praised governor Ododo for the rescue of kidnapped GUSTECH students and specifically thanked President Tinubu for utilising all the required resources in ensuring that the victims regained their freedom.
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
