Federal University Lokoja  to Achieve Uninterrupted Power Supply

 

Richard Elesho

With its linkage to the national grid and more than 90 per cent completion of its solar farm, the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) says it is on the path to achieving its dream of uninterrupted power supply on its campuses. The $200 million solar project is powered by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank under the Energizing Education Programme.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, who made this known during his pre-convocation press briefing in Lokoja on Monday, conducted journalists around the solar farm and other ongoing projects at the institution’s permanent site. He explained that the farm has the capacity to meet the energy needs of the institution and its immediate environment.

The briefing is part of activities lined up for the institution’s 9th convocation ceremony and the last under Akinwumi’s five-year single tenure. The highlight of the activities comes up on Saturday, 18 October, when a total of 5,051 graduands will receive various degrees and diplomas.

In his breakdown of the graduation statistics, the Vice Chancellor said the figure comprises 3,466 undergraduates, 838 postgraduates, and 747 diploma students. He further disclosed that Sherif Ohieku Haruna of the Geology Department, with a Cumulative Grade Point Aggregate (CGPA) of 4.77, is the overall best graduating student in a process that produced 35 First Class, 760 Second Class Upper, 2,287 Second Class Lower, 383 Third Class, and one Pass student.

Akinwumi highlighted major achievements of his administration to include the expansion of faculties and academic programmes, accreditation and quality assurance, academic partnerships, establishment of institutes and centres, intellectual vibrancy, capacity building, and staff welfare.

The Vice Chancellor listed 34 completed or ongoing major projects for the physical transformation of the school. They include a four-storey senate building, a skills acquisition centre, a health centre, faculty buildings, worship centres, classroom blocks, and hostels.

“As this 9th convocation marks the final one under my administration, I stand fulfilled that we have collectively moved FUL forward. Our progress is evident in the expansion of programmes, the growth of infrastructure, and the strengthening of our academic and ethical culture.”