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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, Benue State, has produced 44 first-class graduates out of 17,925 students graduating with bachelor’s degrees and diplomas.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Tor Joe Iorapuu, disclosed this on Thursday at the Pre-Convocation press briefing of the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th Combined Ceremonies of the University.
He stated that at the forthcoming Combined Convocation event, holding Saturday, 7th December 2024, the university will be conferring a total of 17,925 degrees and diplomas on graduands in the following categories: 15,101 bachelor’s degrees, 72 postgraduate diplomas, 2,196 master’s degrees, and 556 PhD degrees.
The VC said prizes will be awarded to deserving students during the convocation, while honorary doctorate degrees of the university will be conferred on distinguished Nigerians, two of whom are posthumous.
They include Professor Toyin Falola (Doctor of Letters, D.Litt, Honoris Causa), Engr. Sylvanus Ghasarah (Doctor of Science, D.Sc, Honoris Causa), Chief Barr. Paul Edeh (Doctor of Law), Sen. Dr Gabriel Torwua Suswam (Doctor of Laws, D.LL, Honoris Causa), Wanteregh Paul Iyorpuu Unongo (posthumous: Doctor of Letters, D.Litt, Honoris Causa), and Lt. Colonel Joseph Akaahan (former Chief of Army Staff, May 1967 to May 1968, posthumous: Doctor of Law, D.LL, Honoris Causa).
Iorapuu disclosed that the event would be the last combined convocation the university will have, especially during the administration of the current Visitor to the University, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, as the Governor has directed that “going forward, the tradition of convocation as a yearly event must return.”
He said the convocation event would provide an opportunity not only to celebrate their achievements or graduate their students, who have persevered through tough learning conditions, but also to thank those who have supported and helped them grow as an institution.
The VC thanked the Government of Benue State, led by Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, for helping to stabilise the university through regular and timely payment of salaries.
He said: “The government had established the university to provide higher education to the increasing population of Benue citizens and beyond. Thirty-two years after, the university has not just produced degree holders but citizens with skills and acquired knowledge that are serving society in different spheres of life.”
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He also appreciated diverse groups, individuals, and the National Universities Commission (NUC) for being critical stakeholders, saying the commission has not failed in its obligations to monitor and ensure quality, conduct necessary resource verification, accredit, and approve programmes for the university.
“With the support of NUC, BSU has added new programmes and created four new faculties. The quality of direction and support BSU has enjoyed cannot be taken for granted.”
The VC also thanked the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for being a major collaborator and stakeholder in sustaining higher education in Nigeria, praising the government agency for facilitating the construction of more than half of the structures in the university.
According to him, “In the last 18 months, TETFund has expended over N4 billion (₦4,240,299,427.13) on infrastructure, procurement, and maintenance of existing TETFund facilities, while a total of ₦306,203,349.15 was expended on staff training, conference attendance, and funding of research and publications in the same period.”
He further appreciated the leadership of TETFund over the years, now under the leadership of Arc. Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary, adding that in the last year alone, over six TETFund projects have been completed, some commissioned, and some ongoing at the university.
He noted that the university would be commissioning the Food Lab and the Centre for Food Technology and Innovation (CEFTIC) while the Convocation Lecture would hold on Friday, 6th December 2024. The lecture will be delivered by one of Nigeria’s most prolific and finest scholars of history, Professor Toyin Falola.
Falola, the Chair of Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker in the Humanities at the University of Texas at Austin, USA, is set to speak on the topic “Power, Politics, and Policies.”
He, however, noted that despite the successes, the university has faced challenges, including disruption of the academic calendar, volatile market uncertainties leading to high diesel costs and increased energy tariffs, continuing staff agitations over welfare issues, finding alternative income sources for the university, accessing grants in a competitive environment, and aligning employees around the university’s vision, strategy, and values.
While commending Governor Alia for keeping faith with the university and ensuring better welfare for staff, Iorapuu called on individuals and organisations to partner with the institution to help solve some of its challenges.
He appreciated the former Chancellor, King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel II Owukori IX, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, for his sterling leadership and contributions to the growth of the university, and also welcomed the new Chancellor, HRH Alhaji Najib Hussaini Adamu, the Emir of Kazaure.
