"Take Us to Goshen Land": Father Tubi Charges Prof. Ibileye at FUL Inaugural Thanksgiving Mass

On Sunday 1st March 2026, a Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving was held in honour of Prof. Gbenga Solomon Ibileye as part of lineup Thanksgivings to mark the commencement of his tenure as the 4th Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja.

The spiritually uplifting celebration drew members of the university community, clergy, family, friends, and well-wishers who gathered to thank God for the appointment and to seek divine guidance for a successful administration.

The Mass was marked by reverence, joyful hymns, and heartfelt prayers for wisdom, strength, and integrity for the Vice-Chancellor as he assumes the mantle of leadership at a critical time in the institution’s development.

In his thought-provoking homily, Father Paul Kolade-Tubi, delivered a powerful charge to the Vice-Chancellor, urging him to take the University to its “Goshen land”, a place of growth, stability, productivity, and divine favour. Drawing biblical parallels, he reminded the congregation that leadership is both a privilege and a sacred responsibility.

Father Tubi outlined six cardinal areas for the Vice-Chancellor to ponder deeply as he begins his tenure:

1. Restructure the Academic Calendar: He emphasized the urgent need to review and stabilize the current academic calendar. Under the existing system, he noted, it is difficult for committed lecturers and even more challenging for Heads of Departments to enjoy their annual leave. A predictable and well-structured calendar, he stressed, would promote efficiency, reduce burnout, and enhance overall productivity.

2. Prioritize Staff Welfare: The homilist underscored that only healthy and motivated staff can make meaningful impact on students. He encouraged the Vice-Chancellor to place staff welfare at the forefront of his administration, ensuring that both academic and non-teaching staff are supported physically, emotionally, and professionally.

3. Ensure Prompt Payment of Salaries and Allowances: Father Tubi urged the new Vice-Chancellor to work diligently toward the prompt payment of salaries, allowances, and other dues. Financial stability, he noted, is fundamental to morale and institutional peace.

4. Recognize and Reward Merit: Stressing the importance of fairness and excellence, he called on the administration to recognize and reward merit, ensuring that deserving staff are promoted regularly and promptly. A culture of meritocracy, he said, would inspire dedication and discourage mediocrity.

5. Engage in Meaningful Dialogue with Stakeholders: The priest encouraged open communication and constructive engagement with all stakeholders, staff unions, students, governing bodies, and the wider community, noting that dialogue fosters unity and prevents unnecessary crises.

6. Seek Divine Direction: Above all, Father Tubi urged the Vice-Chancellor to consistently seek divine guidance before making major decisions. Leadership, he concluded, must be anchored in prayer, humility, and dependence on God.

On the part of the students, Father Tubi encouraged the Vice-Chancellor to critically confront three monstrosities:

(i) victimiz@tion of students by few lecturers who deliberately fail students in examinations, 

(ii) random extortion of illegal money from students by few staff which is outright corruption, and

(iii) s£xual hara$$ment of vulnerable girls by few staff.

Father Tubi, however, acknowledged that the Vice-Chancellor had taken practical steps within the past few days of his assumption of office towards addressing some of these challenges, though needed to reiterate them on the alter of God to show how important they are for the smooth running of the University and the success of his administration.

He called on all members of the university to offer maximum support to the Vice-Chancellor, share in his mission and vision, and work together to create an environment where scholarship is cherished, and every individual can grow and flourish.

In his response, Prof. Ibileye expressed profound gratitude to God, the clergy, the university community, and all well-wishers who have supported him. He thanked everyone for their prayers and encouragement, acknowledging the enormous responsibility placed upon him.

He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to moving the University forward and pledged not to fail the institution nor fail God. The Vice-Chancellor assured the gathering that he would lead with integrity, fairness, and inclusiveness, while working tirelessly to elevate the University to greater heights. 

The Vice-Chancellor further highlighted some of the far-reaching decisions and drastic measures the University management under his leadership had announced, at his first meeting with Senate and the Congregation, including restructuring the academic calendar to accommodate annual leave, provision of Marcopolo buses to ease transportation challenge faced by staff and students, among other sundry welfare initiatives being rolled out by his administration.

On the concerns raised about the students, the Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed his resolute commitment to the enforcement of discipline in the institution. In his words: "I have the capacity for friendship as much as I have the capacity for firmness". 

He reiterated that the University now has a new song, "FUL.. Built Differently, Always Ahead". 

The Mass ended on a note of hope and renewed optimism, with prayers offered for a peaceful, progressive, and impactful tenure for the 4th Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja.