Och’Idoma Blesses FUHSO Acting VC, urges respect for constituted authorities

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The paramount ruler of Idoma kingdom, His Royal Majesty, (HRM), Dr. John Odogbo Obagaji Elaigwu, CON has given his royal blessings to the Acting Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Professor Stephen Obekpa Abah.

Agaba-Idu poured the royal blessings on the Acting VC, and the Registrar, Mr. Michael Ogiji when the management of the University paid him a Courtesy Visit in his palace in Otukpo.

The chief custodian of culture and tradition of Idoma people of Benue South, Nigeria, frowned at the recent happenings in the University, describing it as unfortunate, emphasizing the need to respect constituted authorities in the land.

The Chancellor, Federal University, Atuoke, Bayelsa State expressed displeasure with Engr Ohieku Mohammed Salami, immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of FUHSO, for disrespecting the royal throne of Idoma kingdom, which he termed as retrogressive and couldn’t have gone without grave consequences.

HRM and Commander of the Order of the Niger, (CON) while congratulating the new Acting VC and Registrar, re-echoed that FUHSO as the first Federal Government-owned University of Health Sciences in Nigeria, situated in Idoma land, must be guided jealously by all to serve its original purpose.

The chairman, Idoma Area Traditional Council challenged the management under the leadership of the Acting Vice Chancellor to build on the good foundation already laid by the foremost leaders of the University.

“I rejoice with both of you but I also implore you to respect your leaders so that your tomorrow will be good. Starting a new University from nothing isn’t a child’s play and I must state that the future of FUHSO is bright”, Och’Idoma prophesied.

HRM called on the subjects to shun petition writing and pull down syndrome against each others, admonishing that leadership comes from God and gives it to whoever he chooses at his appointed time.

Dr Elaigwu urged all to exhibit true love, peace and unity for one another to make Idoma land a development hub for all.

Earlier, the Acting Vice Chancellor had told HRM that he came with the Principal Officers and the think-tanks of the University on a royal homage to seek his blessings, particularly, during the transition of the University.

Prof Abah intimated that the pioneer Vice Chancellor, Professor Innocent Ujah, has retired and by the University provisions I was nominated on the 28th November, 2024 as the Acting Vice Chancellor by the Senate of the University and subsequently approved and issued appointment letter on the 29th November, 2024 by the second Governing Council of FUHSO, he added.

The professor of community medicine and Public Health, while extolling the Och’Idoma’s quality leadership, said that the new mantra of his administration is “FUHSO FIRST”, noting that the visit to the palace marked the first since his appointment as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution.

He maintained that there’s no alternative to peace and progress of the University, assuring that the University would come first before his personal interest.

The VC thanked the paramount ruler for the peace in the domain and the good working relationship between the Palace and the University and promised to build on the legacy.

In a remarks, the Director, Institution of Global Health and Health Security, (IGH&HS) of the University, Professor Onyemocho Audu averred that FUHSO would continue to tap from the wise counsel, royal guidance of the paramount ruler and wished him long life on the throne.

The Acting VC and the management also visited the Area Commander, Nigeria Police Force, Otukpo Command, ACP S.D. Ogenyi, where the security of the University and other related issues were extensively discussed and exhausted accordingly.