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From Judex Okoro, Calabar
The first licensed private university in Cross River State, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, recently held its maiden convocation for the 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions, with 18 students bagging first class.
Out of 251 graduands, 115 obtained second class upper division and 91 made a second class lower division.
Two of the most outstanding students were women, Miss Yeneochia Agbor, a graduate of Microbiology who obtained a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.92, and Miss Edidiong Edet, from Political Science who obtained a CGPA of 4.73 to lead the pack of 18 first class graduates that were honoured by the institution.
At the maiden convocation, the chancellor of the university, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, reaffirmed that the institution was not a rehabilitation centre for drug users, unruly students and cultists, as anyone apprehended would be sanctioned.
Archibong, who encouraged parents and guardians to be more proactive in their roles as first custodians of their wards, said: “As an investor in education, a school administrator, father and friend to our students, I have come to a rather distasteful conclusion that not all parents deserve to be so-called parents.
When you renege on your responsibilities and allow for society to mould your children into what they become, you don’t only fail as a parent you also fail the society.”
The chancellor explained that about 100 students from host communities of Akpabuyo and Bakassi Local Government Areas enjoy full scholarships from him, with over 400 more students to be trained and fit for global competition within a space of five years from now.
Announcing the various grades of degrees, the Vice Chancellor of Arthur Jarvis University, Prof, Ani Nkang said: “The various categories of the 240 graduates include 18 students with First Class, 115 earned second class upper division, while 91 graduates made second class lower division and 161 got third class grades.”
Enjoining the graduating students to continue to entrench the culture of discipline, hard work, integrity, and excellence wherever they find themselves, Nkang said: “We hope that you will maintain strong links with the university and assist it in building up an enduring reputation just as I welcome you into the Arthur Jarvis University Alumni Association, on registration you will be on the alumni portal to receive regular updates on the university,»
The VC, who disclosed that the institution has initiated the process of starting a School of Postgraduate Studies with the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC), explained that in order to promote the quick realization of this objective, the university management has approved the creation of the graduate assistantship cadre for first class graduates of Arthur Jarvis University, even as he admonished the graduands to apply and avail themselves of the opportunities offered by the graduate assistantship scheme.
He also revealed that the institution›s nursing students would join their counterparts across the country for the professional examination for general and post-basic nurses scheduled for May 2023.
Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, enjoined the people of the state to avail themselves of the opportunity created by the establishment of the institution, to send their wards to the university, instead of sending them to institutions that are far from home.
One of the best-graduating students, Yeneochia Agbor of Microbiology Sciences 2020/2021 with a 4.92 CGPA, in an interview, said: “What really helped me was being focused and hard work, perseverance, a positive mindset and determination to be the best despite challenges, which also helped me to develop the strength to fulfill my purpose.
“I will advise those we have left behind to find their purpose because purpose allows directing your thoughts and actions. When a person has a purpose it is easier to do away with all the distractions because of the goal before you. It is always very hard to be focused when a person does not have a purpose,” she stated.
