June 11, (THEWILL) – The Vice Chancellor of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Professor Isaac Itodo, has disclosed that the institution, under his leadership, mobilised about 8,000 graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Prof. Itodo, who disclosed this while fielding questions from members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in his office on Monday, noted that the mobilisation stagnated for several years under the past administration.
According to him, on the assumption of duty, there were only three non-academic directorates but was able to create more such that any officer who merited promotion was promoted to serve as motivation for high productivity.
Prof. Itodo stated that the delay in the processing of transcripts, which was the case in the past, is now over as measures have been put in place under his administration to ensure quick services, noting that the best is yet to come.
He posited that universities are competing for student intake and Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University has unbundled the engineering department to accommodate more students and create jobs both for the host community and professionals in the field of engineering.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the proposed International Conference Center at the varsity with state-of-the-art facilities will also enhance the Internally Generated Revenue of the institution.
On the security situation within and around the institution, Prof. Itodo admitted that a couple of days ago, unknown gunmen invaded a female hostel where they robbed them of some valuables, including phones and fled.
“At the SRS culvert, some armed men stopped a vehicle and kidnapped four students, one of which was a 100-level student and she was released. Some villagers were matcheted by unknown gunmen and they protested and blocked the road leading to the university because they felt abandoned by the Government,” he said.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the management of the university bought Hilux vans and motorcycles for patrol and is working with the Department of State Services (DSS) to train 400 security staff in order to maintain order on campus.
He expressed the hope that the Benue State Government will award the contract for the rehabilitation of SRS junction – J.S Tarka University road, which is almost impassable as the rain sets in.
Prof. Itodo, therefore, commended TETFUND, Secretary to the Government of the Federal, Senator George Akume; Secretary to the Benue State Government, Prof. Joseph Alakari, and Prof. Gabriel Akpen for their quest to assist the growth of the institution.
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