From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State, has disclosed a plan to hold its 47th convocation with 7,986 graduating from undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
The Vice-chancellor of the university, Prof Simeon Bamire, at a press conference heralding the convocation on Monday, disclosed that 158 students made first class; 1,970 made second class upper division; 2,906 made second class lower division; 942 were in the third class division while 65 are in pass division.
He explained that 1,276 were postgraduate students while 6,710 undergraduates made the list.
Prof Bamire stated that the university will be giving honorary awards to Dr. Anastasios Paul Leventis who will be given the Doctor of Science (DSC, Honoris Causa), and Professor Toyin Omoyemi FALOLA who is to receive the Doctor of Letters (D. Litt, Honoris Causa).
“In the postgraduate school, 247
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD); 22 Master of Philosophy (MPhil); 415 Master of Science (MSc); 92 Master Degrees; 444 Professional Master; and 56 Postgraduate Diploma will be graduating,” Bamire said.
Fielding questions from journalists, Bamire said the university would have loved to retain the first-class graduates but for the process involved in employment procedure in Nigerian universities.
He, however, said the university’s graduates are doing well wherever they go, saying that the university lacks the power to force the students to stay.