From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Staff, Students and Alumni Association of Salem University Lokoja has described their Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Alewo Johnson-Akubo as a disciplinarian and impactful leader worthy of emulation.
The trio groups made the declaration on Thursday in a congratulatory message duly signed and issued in Lokoja by the University’s Registrar, Dr Emmanuel Adejoh in celebration of the VC, who clocks 50 years on Thursday, April 13.
Adejoh said that the entire University Community has been thrown into jubilation and celebration mood of a man in Prof Akubo that “is a rare gem and a gift to Salem University Lokoja considering the virtues God encapsulated in him for the service of humanity.’
The registrar described the Vice Chancellor as a fine administrator, disciplinarian and quintessential leader of tremendous impact not only to Salem University Lokoja but to Kogi and Nigeria as a whole.
“We today felicitate with our Vice Chancellor, Prof Alewo Johnson-Akubo, whose Golden Age can best be described as God’s divine gift and grace upon him, looking at what he has so far attained in life.
“Aside being a young administrator, Akubo is a Pastor in God’s Vine Yard, working assiduously at spreading the gospel of Truth for the salvation of souls from the societal ills ravaging the entire globe as well as impacting on students by transforming them into global change agents.
“At joining Salem University Lokoja, Akubo served as the pioneer Coordinator, Mass Communication Programme, Deputy Dean, College of Management and Social Sciences and Deputy Director, Academic Planning between August, 2016 and July 2017.
“Prof. Akubo was appointed Dean, College of Management and Social Sciences 2017 and later rose to become the Deputy Vice Chancellor in January 2020, a position he held until January, 2021 when he was appointed Acting Vice Chancellor.
“As a member of Council and Head of Management, he was confirmed as the 4th substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution in February, 2022.
“Prof. Akubo is a recipient of many national awards, amongst which are; The Nigerians of Integrity and Excellence award by The Guardian Newspapers (August, 2021) and the Award of EXCELLENCE by the National Education Summit and Awards (June, 2021), ” he stated.
According to him, Akubo is a prolific writer, who has several academic publications in both local and international journals and presently serves as a member of the ADVISORY BOARD of the National Education Summit.
The registrar, however, said that it was a thing of joy that the entire staffers, students and alumni association of Salem University Lokoja have joined other well wishers in and outside Nigeria in celebrating such a man in Akubo that “is truly a shining example to all the Nigerian youths.”
Adejoh said, “on behalf of staff, students and alumni association of the Salem University Lokoja, I wish Prof Akubo, more divine wisdom, knowledge, sound health, peace and joy as he celebrates his 50th birthday.”