FUL Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibileye, Accepts Patron Role as Association of Nigerian Authors Pays Courtesy Visit

The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, has received members of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Kogi State Chapter, on a courtesy visit that highlighted efforts to deepen collaboration between the university and the literary community.

The delegation was led by the State Chairman, YJ Itokpa, who also serves as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Graphics Newspaper, a Kogi State Government-owned publication.

Welcoming the association, Professor Ibileye expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to promoting literary creativity and intellectual development across disciplines. He noted that literary engagement is not restricted to students of the humanities, stressing that individuals in science, medical, and technical fields can also cultivate strong writing and creative expression skills.

The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that writing remains a powerful tool for intellectual growth, self-expression, and career development. According to him, active participation in literary activities can help students discover hidden talents and explore opportunities in publishing, storytelling, and creative industries.

He further encouraged both students and staff to engage more actively in writing across genres such as poetry, prose, and drama, noting that such participation contributes to broader academic and personal development.

In response to a request from the association, Professor Ibileye accepted the role of Patron of the Kogi State Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors, describing the appointment as an honour and pledging to discharge the responsibilities with commitment and humility.

Earlier, the State Chairman of ANA, YJ Itokpa, said the visit was to congratulate the Vice-Chancellor on his appointment and formally associate with his leadership. He described Ibileye’s emergence as a source of pride to the academic and literary communities in Kogi State.

Itokpa added that the association considered the Vice-Chancellor a fitting choice for the patronage role, citing his academic background in English Studies and his contributions to intellectual development.

He expressed optimism that the partnership would strengthen literary culture within the university and expand opportunities for creative engagement among students and staff.