Spread the love
Members of the University of Jos Alumni Association, Kogi State Chapter has paid a courtesy call on one of their greats Alumnus who was appointed and confirmed as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, Prof Minri in her office yesterday.
After the introduction of members, Dr Danladi Ali of the Economics department, Federal University Lokoja spoke on behalf of the Association. Dr Ali while describing the appointment of Prof Minri as Divine, prayed to God to give her strength, more wisdom, understanding and the will to enable her to take the university to the greater height.
Describing the uniqueness of the University of Jos, Dr Ali said he was born and brought up in Lokoja but decided to seek for his academic career in Jos where he obtained his first and second degrees, noting that the appointment of Prof Miri was a manifestation of the fact that University of Jos products are thorough bread whose stellar academic quality can’t be hidden. Dr Ali said, apart from the the Vice Chancellor, the newly appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja was also a Josite, stating that there are currently nineteen (19) academic and non academic staff of the Federal University of Lokoja that are Josite. He urged all graduates of Unijos in Kogi state to identify with the association to take it to a greater height.
Also speaking, a 1985 graduate of the University of Jos and a lecturer in the accounting and business studies department of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Mr Adejo congratulated the Vice Chancellor on her meritorious appointment. Describing the capacity and outstanding performance associated with university of Jos graduates, Mr Adejo said he is addressed and known as guru in the polytechnic because he was thoroughly built to become what he is today by the university of Jos, noting that Unijos graduates are equal to the task in any endeavor
The chairman of the Alumni, Kogi State Chapter Mr Bayo Makakese, assured the VC of peaceful stay in Kogi state, adding that Josites, in whichever capacity will be ready to assist her to succeed in the discharge of her duty.
In her response, the VC acknowledged the spirit of the Alummi to identify with her on her appointment as a move that will encourage her to give her best in her new assignment. In a joyous mood, Prof Angela Miri said she was highly overwhelmed being in the presence of her students today, noting that the Alumni presence made her felt she was in Jos. She said there was nothing that could have offered her great joy than the Alumni visit to her office to solidarise with her
Narrating her career journey to her present position, Prof Miri said she was recognized and appointed as the commissioner for health in 2007 and later commissioner for education, Plateau State. She said after serving her state in such capacities to the best of her ability, she returned to classroom again and was later appointed as Chairperson , governing council of plateau state university. She said in all these assignments, she was never given opportunity to meet with students from the union as she has had with the Alumni members’ visit.
Haven served in various capacities, Prof Miri said she returned to classroom to nurture young ones and when it was time to apply for the next Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos last year, many asked her to apply but she told them she was not going to apply, that it was time for her to settle and continue with her lecturing career. She said many never believed she did not apply for the position of Vice Chancellor University of Jos but that was the truth, she did not apply.
Prof Miri said she was a member of the team scouting for the best man that can succeed the then current VC at the end of his tenure and after one of their meetings in Jos, she decided to travel to her village.
It was while she was in the village that her brother called her to congratulate her that she had been appointed as Vice Chancellor. She laughed and told her brother that she didn’t apply for such position. The brother told her the news is already everywhere in the media that she had been appointed as vice chancellor, Federal University Lokoja. “That is how my journey to Lokoja started”
Prof Miri said, the joy of being a teacher was that those you taught in the classroom turned out to be the ones to be of help to you tomorrow but only when you establish good relationship with your students, taking them as your own children and teach them not only academics but morally as well. “I was in Akwa Ibom Airport sometime ago. Three gentlemen came to greet me and started introducing themselves to me;you taught me in 1995 in the university of Jos and so. After exchanging pleasantries, I went to obtain my fair ticket but on reaching the counter, I was told that some gentlemen have paid for my fair”. They were the people I could not recognized but I was recognized by them.
Let me tell you another story why teachers should put their best in developing students. In 2007 when I appeared before the Plateau state House of Assembly for my screening as commissioner.immediately I read my biography and CV to the House, a woman, the then Deputy Speaker of the House stood up and said Mr Speaker, my colleagues, this commissioner nominee was the reason why I am in this House today. She taught me from 100-400 levels, she impacted in me moral and academic discipline, please she should take a bow and go. Again, When I resumed duty in Lokoja here, I was searching for accommodation and finally got apartment of my choice. During the time of rent payment, the landlord came to me and said, Ma, this is the annual rent of this apartment but am collecting halve of it from you and when I asked why, he said he is a Josite and it was his joy that I am the Vice Chancellor of the university in his state. Great Josite, I have benefited a lot from being a teacher and that is because, I teach my students as my own children”.
Coming back to the challenges of taking Federal University Lokoja to the next level, I. Have submitted my vision on where the university should be in the next five years to the governing council. At the presentation of this vision to the council, the chairman said, the vision which I had put together shall be his second Qur’an and he will ensure the document is well-circulated across university communities.
While assuring the Alumni of her resolved to make them proud, She said she is determined to take the university higher and urged the Alumni to offer useful ideas as to the development of the institution. Acknowledging that her appointment was an act of God and taking into consideration, the multi ethnic nature of Kogi State, the VC said she was not going to allow sentiment to affect her decision.
The VC urged the indigenes of the state to take advantage of the proximity of the institution to build themselves and to contribute to its development.
She urged graduates of University of Jos who reside in who Kogi state to join the Alumni, noting that there is always strength and progress in Union. She said university of Jos is unique and as such the students are also doing well in their respectively endeavor. “Products of university of Jos everywhere in this country and across the globe are making meaningful impact. The Alumni has build Advancement Centre in the university of Jos where students are carrying out various research in different field. We can do more than that”
Meanwhile, members of the Association thanked those who have been making effort to put the University of Jos Alumni Association, Kogi State Chapter on a strong pedestal and urged other graduates to identify with the union. The members acknowledged the effort of Mr Inaju U Inaju and other members.
The Alumni Association is organizing a dinner for some of illustrious alumnus in Kogi state.
The association is to foster unity, friendship amongst members and to give back to its Alma mata. It is open to all certificate holders from the university of Jos.
– Onogwu I Muhammed
Lokoja, Kogi State
Spread the love