Maigari of Lokoja Honours PAAU Vice-Chancellor With Chieftaincy Title

From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

The Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, the Maigari of Lokoja, has conferred the traditional title of Wakilin Karatu Lokoja (Education Ambassador of Lokoja) on the Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Salisu Ogbo Usman.

The honour was announced on behalf of the Maigari by the Secretary of the Lokoja Traditional Council, Mohammad Maikarfi Usman, who congratulated Prof. Usman on his appointment as Vice-Chancellor of the university, describing it as well deserved.

He urged the vice-chancellor to replicate at PAAU the achievements recorded during his tenure as Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic.

According to him, Prof. Usman’s administration at the polytechnic was marked by purposeful leadership, infrastructural development, impactful reforms, and the eradication of cult-related activities within the institution and surrounding communities.

The council secretary stated that the Maigari highly valued the former rector’s integrity, leadership qualities, and commitment to educational development, noting that the conferment of the title was in recognition of those achievements.

He explained that the title of Wakilin Karatu Lokoja was conferred under the authority of the Maigari of Lokoja as Chairman of the Lokoja Traditional Council.

He further disclosed that with the conferment, Prof. Usman had officially become a member of the Lokoja Traditional Title Holders’ Council with the traditional salutation “Daudu.”

Responding, Prof. Usman expressed gratitude to the Maigari and the traditional council for finding him worthy of the honour.

He also thanked former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, for appointing him as Acting Rector and later substantive Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic.

The vice-chancellor equally appreciated the current governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, for renewing his appointment as rector and subsequently elevating him to the position of Vice-Chancellor of PAAU.

According to him, the appointments reflected the confidence successive administrations had in the reforms implemented during his leadership at the polytechnic.

“I barely spent one year into my second tenure when I was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba,” he said, describing the development as unprecedented.

Prof. Usman reiterated that one of the major achievements of his administration at Kogi State Polytechnic was the successful eradication of cultism and restoration of peace and discipline on campus and within host communities.

He noted that throughout his tenure, the institution did not witness violent student protests, attributing the stability to inclusive leadership and effective engagement with stakeholders.

The vice-chancellor dedicated the traditional title to both Yahaya Bello and Ahmed Usman Ododo for giving him the opportunity to demonstrate his leadership capacity in public service.