In an ongoing effort towards establishing a Faculty of Law that meets global standard and criteria set by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Council of Legal Education (CLE) in Nigeria, the Management of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, convened a high-powered stakeholders meeting at Merit House in Abuja to chart a way forward. The meeting was attended by distinguished luminaries from the legal profession, including serving and retired Justices, Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), visiting professors, practising lawyers, and prominent academics.

Delivering his address entitled "Federal University Lokoja: The Journey So Far," the Vice-Chancellor outlined his vision for the thirteen-year-old University, expressing his unwavering determination to add the Faculty of Law to the list of professional programmes run by the University. He noted that his administration had already established medical sciences and engineering programmes, adding that the University Management recently played host to NUC's resource verification team for the commencement of pharmacy and agriculture.

Speaking further, the erudite scholar and university administrator reiterated his firm belief and commitment to due process, saying he was determined to garner support from critical stakeholders in the legal profession who would help to lay a solid foundation for the launch and sustainability of the Faculty of Law at the Federal University Lokoja.

In their submissions at the strategic meeting, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor M.S. Audu, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Professor A.E. Bala, corroborated the Vice-Chancellor's vision in establishing a world-class Law programme that would contribute to addressing some societal issues in not just Kogi State but the broader North Central region and Nigeria at large.

The gathering witnessed a presentation by Mrs Elisabeth Ojonyene Max-Uba, a former Director of the Regulatory Department at the Nigerian Law School, who outlined the necessary steps required of the nascent Faculty of Law to meet regulatory requirements. During the meeting also, the University Management received the full support and blessings of notable personalities including Hon. Justice Alaba Omolaye Ajileye, a retired High Court Judge from Kogi State, who commended the Vice-Chancellor's visionary leadership and pledged his unalloyed support to the vision. Other participants also joined to shower encomium on the Vice-Chancellor for his transformative leadership and efforts at ensuring that a solid foundation was laid for the Faculty of Law.

Among the legal luminaries and distinguished individuals who graced the meeting and pledged their total support were Major General Joseph Oshanupin (Rtd.); Barrister Dr. Julius Elukpo; and Prof. Mike S. Ikupolati, former DG/Head of Mission to Gambia-West African Instane Institute and Secretary to the Council. The list also included Chief Ogwu James, legal practitioner; Prof. Akinseye George; Barrister Pius Akubo; Hon. Justice (Pst) Samuel Obayomi, Retired High Court Judge, Kogi State; and Prince Bola Joseph Tolorunse, Secretary to the Governing Council, Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Abuja. 

Others were Vice-Admiral Joseph Ajayi (Rtd), Abuja; Ambassador Chief Akenson Rotimi (Rtd.), Abuja: Bello M. Adoke (SAN), former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of the Federation; Prof. Ameze Goubedia, former Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Supreme Court Complex, Abuja; Prof. Abdilkarim Abubakar Kana, former Dean, Faculty of Law, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nasarawa State; Mrs Elizabeth Ojonyene Max-Uba, former Director, Regulatory Department, Nigerian Law School, Bwari Abuja; Prof. Maxwell Gidado, former Dean, Faculty of Law, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nasarawa State; Retired High Court Judge, Kogi State, and Prof. Joash Amupitan, former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Jos. 

In their separate remarks, the Registrar, Dr. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie, and the Dean/Facilitator of the Law Faculty, Prof. Emily Alemika, who were filled with joy, expressed profound gratitude to the attendees for gracing the important meeting, pledging their unflinching support and commitment to the realization of the vision.

The meeting concluded with a deep sense of optimism and common resolve towards a smooth takeoff of the Faculty of Law given the overwhelming support received by Management from the legal fraternity and key stakeholders, setting the stage for FUL's transformative journey into the legal education. See more pictures here