From Ali Abare Abubakar
With the newly established Federal University in Lafia, Nasarawa state about to commence full academic activities in September, 2011, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ekanem Ipkibraid, said that the University would not compromise on the quality of education that would be impacted on its students.
Speaking before Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma, in company of top government officials, yesterday, at Government House, Lafia, during her formal presentation by the Minister of Education, Rukayyatu Rufai, as well as the Registrar of the university, Dr. Idris Jubrin, the VC noted that the institution plans to churn out graduates that could compete with their counterparts from any part of the world.
While pledging to use her past experience as a VC to better the lot of the institution, Prof. Ekanem said that the university would work towards producing graduates that were not only employers of labour but also employees that were productive in their various places of assignment.
She told the gathering that she had studied the state and was likely to carry out some research alongside other members of the university community in the areas of tourism, agriculture and mining, which according to her, are among the natural endowments of the people of the state.
The VC added that when the research is completed it would form key areas of intervention by the university.
Earlier, the Minister of Education, Rukayyatu Rufai, had disclosed that the formal presentation of Prof. Ipkibraid and Dr. Jubrin to Gorvernor Doma marks the formal take off of the university adding the FG is “committed to the provision of sound and quality education”
She commended the state government for providing the College of Agriculture (COA), Lafia to enable the smooth take off of the university; the Minister said the federal government has released about N1. 5 billion to facilitate the take off of the institution.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Prof. Nicholas Damache appealed to the Nasarawa state government to provide accommodation for the VC and the Registrar.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, said that the school will commence with about 100 students.
In his address, Governor Doma pledged to work with the leadership of the institution to ensure the success of the university.
He told the delegation that the state government had earlier set up a committee that would ensure the smooth transition of the COA to its new location in Doma as he urged the university to work with the committee for a smooth transition.
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