Public Perception of FAUM Worries Vice Chancellor

Vice Chancellor of Father Adasu University, Makurdi (FAUM) Professor Timothy Alabar has expressed concern on the perception members of the public including staff of the institution have for FAUM! He expressed worry when the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Benue State Council led by Comrade Bemdoo Ugber visited the university.

The Vice Chancellor thanked the union for the visit and sought collaboration through cooperation aimed at making the institution attract less criticism from the public.

The Vice Chancellor said "in recent time, the university has received so many, should I say attacks or criticisms, sometimes from the staff themselves, sometimes from the outside world!" 

According to the Vice Chancellor, the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi for instance does not appear frequently reported negatively comparable to the FAUM. 

For this reason he said "this is to tell you that something is actually not correct. The NUJ is part of us, I think you have a very good chance to try and correct the anomaly for us." 

He expressed confidence that NUJ would not disappoint on the task of rebranding FAUM since a large population of the union members who came for the visit have been trained by the university.

Professor Alabar insisted that the relationship should create a strong bond between FAUM and past students to enable them serve as ambassadors for the university.

He undertook on behalf of the management to reciprocate the gesture as expected also from the union to sustain the relationship. Professor Alabar urged the members to exhibit professionalism by prioritizing fact checking aspect of media work.

The Vice Chancellor said, the institution's management expected journalists to seek clarification of information from the university always before going to press if the ambassadors desired their Alma Mater to appear well in the news.

He concluded "I will give you absolute support, there are many things to do together. If you hear news about us, try to verify." 

On the part of NUJ, Chairman, Comrade Ugber assured of commitment for the synergy to work. He told the Vice Chancellor "let me also sincerely thank you for granting us this audience despite your demanding schedule. It speaks volumes of your openness, humility and willingness to engage with critical stakeholders." Ugber acknowledged that the NUJ recognized the vital role played by FAUM to shape minds and strengthen society and so, partnership between the university and the union remained strategic in the area of capacity building. 

Explaining that it would help for training, research and knowledge exchange to enrich professionalism and ultimately empower media in contributing to societal development, Ugber regretted equally the lack of operational tools as constituting the challenges to the rendition of service. 

He sought assistance few computers to narrow the gaps in the union's ICT centre and added that the NUJ was ready to collaborate and promote truth, development and progress within the FAUM's community and beyond. 

The Chairman thanked Governor Hyacinth Alia to have identified Professor Alabar for the appointment and clarified that success of the man based largely on "leadership prowess, administrative competence and visionary approach to managing issues, a situation which exhibited capacity that distinguished him among others for the appointment.