From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
President Bola Tinubu has said that his administration will continue to reposition Nigerian Universities to adjust to the ever-changing demands of the modern-day world to encourage impactful education for sustainable development.
Tinubu said this in Nsukka on Saturday in his address during the 52nd Convocation Ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) for the award of postgraduate degrees, diplomas, and honorary doctorate degrees to some distinguished Nigerians.
He said to achieve this, his administration would continue to address the issues of funding for both research and infrastructural development in Universities.
“In recognition of the very important being played by universities in research and manpower development and in order to achieve Our Renewed Hope Agenda, my administration will continue to reposition our universities to adjust to the ever-changing demands of our modern-day world to encourage impactful education that will bring about sustainable development.
“My administration will continue to address the issue of funding both for research and infrastructural development,” he said.
The President who was represented by Mrs. Rakiya Ilyasu, Director of University Education in the Federal Ministry of Education said further that he would demand prudence and accountability in the management and utilisation of funds released to universities.
“I will always demand prudence and accountability on funds released to universities in the country.
“I also demand stability and harmony, so that the era of disruption caused by prolonged industrial actions will be a thing of the past,” he said.
Tinubu congratulated those who earned postgraduates higher degrees and urged them to use them in finding solutions to some of the problems facing the country.
He felicitated those conferred with honorary doctorate and urged them to see the honour and recognition as something that would spur them to do more for humanity and the development of the country.
The president’s representative had earlier in the day commissioned some projects executed by the act going VC.
In a remark, the Ooni of Ife, and the Chancellor of UNN, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi urged the graduands and honorary awardees to remain good ambassadors of the University and play a bigger role in uniting the country.
Earlier in a remark, Prof Charles Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN said that the 52nd convocation ceremony was to confer the Postgraduate Degrees and Diplomas of the institution who have been found worthy and in learning.
“I am pleased to announce that a total of 1,438 postgraduate degrees and diplomas of the University of Nigeria will be awarded at this 52nd Convocation Ceremony.
“412 persons will be awarded the Doctorate degree (Ph.D), while 951 graduands will be awarded the Master’s Degrees in different disciplines, similarly, a total of 75 postgraduate diplomas of the University will also be awarded at today’s convocation.
“I, therefore, extend my congratulations to all you deserving graduands who have survived the rigour required to earn the postgraduate degrees of the University, you should also be proud of yourselves because you have been found worthy in character and learning,” he said.
The VC who announced that the 52nd Convocation would be his last regular Convocation as the VC of UNN as his tenure would end in less than a month said “It looks like the only aspect of the job of the Vice-Chancellor that I will miss is the Convocation. This is because of joy and hope it gives to the graduates and their families.”
Those awarded with the honorary doctorate degrees award of the University at the 52nd convocation are; Sir Emeka Offor, CEO of Chrome Group of Companies – Doctor of Business Administration, Brigadier General J.OJ Okoloagu (Rtd), an alumnus of UNN – Doctor of Public Administration.
Others are, Prof. El Anatsui, a globally acclaimed sculptor who spent his entire academic career in UNN – Doctor of Letters, and Mr. Igo Weli, a Director at Shell Petroleum Development Company – Dorctor of Public Administration.
Also, two former Vice-Chancellors of UNN, Prof Bartho Okolo and Prof. Benjamin Ozumba were among 10 retired Professors of the University who were elevated to the distinguished status of ‘Professor Emeritus’.