The Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State, has turned-out 22 first class graduates at its 2nd convocation ceremony held yesterday at the convocation arena.
Speaking at the epoch-making event, the Vice Chancellor of the
University, Professor Chinedum Uzoma Nwajiuba noted that 247 graduates
were turned-out at this year’s convocation ceremony; out of which 22
graduated with first class honours degrees in different disciplines.
Hear him “The graduands being celebrated today are 247…Of these 247
graduands, 22 emerged in first class, 140 in the second class upper, 80
in the second class lower, and 5 in the third class.”
He attributed the good performance to a number of factors which
included excellent and world-class staff – student ratios, staff
commitment, willingness of students to learn, dearth of common vices
plaguing other older universities, good laboratories and workshops,
among others.
Admonishing the graduands, the Vice Chancellor said: “May I remind
you that sowing and reaping have not ended with your graduation, You
have merely moved to higher levels of sowing and reaping. What
eventually becomes of you will depend not only on the quality of your
harvest so far, which have become seeds for the future- and that is the
degree you are being admitted into today – but what choices you make in
the years ahead; for every choice we make will bear consequences.”
Nwajiuba also used the opportunity to express his gratitude to
President Muhammadu Buhari for the Federal government’s ecological
intervention in the University. He further thanked the Ebonyi State
Government for their warm relationship with the university, and called
on investors and good-spirited individuals to contribute to the
development of the University.
In his own speech, the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the University
Governing Council, Professor Mba Uzoukwu, reiterated the commitment of
the Council to ensuring that the institution sticks to the principles of
excellence and integrity, vowing to promote the culture of selfless
service, transparency, accountability and meritocracy in running the
affairs of the University. He also stressed their support to Senate and
Management of the institution in order to produce highly knowledgeable,
responsible and enterprising graduates.
The Chancellor, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Aremu Adedotun
Gbadebo, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland while addressing the
Convocation charged the University authorities to remain committed to
the vision of building a world-class institution that would be reputed
for its vibrant teaching and learning activities. He stressed that the
level of Nigeria’s economic growth and development depends to a large
extent on the quality and quantity of functional knowledge and sellable
skills at the disposal of the citizens as well as the quality of
research output from Universities.
The Visitor of the University and the President and Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency,
Muhammadu Buhari while addressing the Convocation reiterated the
commitment of his government towards funding education even as he
challenged universities to embark on productive research and
international collaborations in order to enunciate innovative ideas and
solutions to problems facing the nation.
The President who was represented by the Director of Management
Support Services in the National Universities Commission, Bar. Victor
Onuoha also used the opportunity to reiterate his commitment towards
ensuring a better deal for all Nigerians, adding that the policies of
his government have started making positive impact on the economy. The
President further noted that the fight against corruption in public
offices and war against book haram and other security challenges shall
be sustained to ensure the country is safe for living and investment.
Meanwhile, the President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural
organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo was the guest
lecturer at the 2nd convocation lecture of the university which was chaired by the wife of the first President of Nigeria, Professor Uche Azikiwe.
Speaking on the topic: “National Reconciliation and The Role of
Universities”, Nwodo noted that universities were supposed to be places
for research, growth of ideas, and solution-oriented contribution for
advancement of mankind, but decried the lack of funding, poor management
and intellectual dishonesty that are deterring most Nigerian
Universities from fulfilling those roles.
Cases of lecturers compromising their objectivity in marking of
scripts by awarding marks to students for money have dented
confidentiality and reliability in the rating of students in
examinations”, he lamented.
He further called on government to maintain the autonomy of Universities
if they were to achieve the purpose of their establishment. He
maintained that universities in Nigeria by the laws that govern them
were expected to enjoy considerable internal autonomy in their
administration but regretted that government’s appointment of University
Governing Councils mostly on political patronage has remotely diluted
their autonomy.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Chair of the occasion, Professor
Azikiwe reiterated her belief in one Nigeria, urging all those calling
for Nigeria’s dismemberment to retrace their footsteps and seek other
peaceful means for making their grievances known to government. She
further stressed the importance of fairness for all Nigerians
irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political linings, calling
on the government to listen to all grievances and tackle all forms of
marginalization against some aggrieved ethnic nationalities in order to
promote national reconciliation.
The University Governing Council also used the period of the
Convocation ceremony to honour its former Pro-chancellor/Chairman, Engr.
Anayo Onwuegbu, former Vice Chancellor and Registrar, Professor Oye
Ibidapo-Obe and Mr. Gabriel O. Chukwu, and a former member of the
Council, Mrs. Rose Gold-Idehen, for their meritorious service to the
University.
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