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First Lady Tinubu institutes N50m endowment fund at UNN
By Felix Ikem, Nsukka
President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to increasing investment in education to improve access to quality education in Nigeria.
The President gave the assurance in Nsukka on Saturday during the 55th convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), held at the Margaret Ekpo Convocation Hall for the conferment of postgraduate diplomas and higher degrees.
He said that his administration recognises that education is the most strategic investment any nation can make in its future.
“Education is the foundation upon which our quest for sustainable economic growth, technological advancement, and national and social cohesion is built.
“On our part, we will continue to provide opportunities for Nigerian students through the Students’ Loan Scheme, managed by the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
“The scheme is making higher education more accessible to deserving young Nigerians regardless of their financial background.
“This initiative reflects our conviction that no qualified Nigerian should be denied access to education because of economic circumstances,” he said.
The President, represented by Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), also said that his administration is committed to improving the welfare and capacity of academic and non-academic staff through better remuneration packages and reforms that encourage professional development, research excellence and institutional stability.
Tinubu congratulated the university on what he described as the landmark achievement of its 55th convocation ceremony, wishing the institution many more decades of excellence, innovation and service to Nigeria, Africa and humanity.
In his remarks, Oba Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife and Chancellor of UNN, congratulated the postgraduate graduands, saying their success reflects hard work, perseverance, sacrifice and resilience.
The Chancellor expressed satisfaction with the achievements of the Vice-Chancellor in less than one year in office, describing them as remarkable compared with what he had witnessed since he was appointed Chancellor 11 years ago.
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Earlier, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, Vice-Chancellor of UNN, said that the convocation was not only to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduands but also to honour distinguished personalities and confer well-earned degrees.
“We gather today to reaffirm the enduring purpose of this great university and to renew our collective commitment to its future.
“When Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe conceived this university, he envisioned far more than Nigeria’s first indigenous university. He envisioned an institution that would serve as the intellectual conscience of a new nation; a university that would liberate the African mind through knowledge, inspire leadership through character and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of humanity,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor said that within the past 11 months of his administration, the university’s three campuses had become major construction sites, with almost all internal roads undergoing comprehensive reconstruction, complete with modern drainage systems and pedestrian walkways.
He announced the conferment of an honorary Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa) degree on the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in recognition of her distinguished contributions to public service and women’s empowerment, among other achievements.
Others conferred with honorary degree awards included High Chief Williams Agbo, an accomplished entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist, who received a Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa); Dr William Franklyn Richardson, an eminent American faith leader and education advocate, who received a Doctor of Social Work (Honoris Causa); and Arc. Dr Kaycee Kelechi Orji, an accomplished architect and entrepreneur, who received a Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa).
The Vice-Chancellor also announced that a total of 2,944 higher degrees, comprising 1,390 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, 1,340 Master’s degrees and 214 Postgraduate Diplomas, would be conferred on the graduands.
In her acceptance remarks, Senator Tinubu said she was honoured and delighted to receive the honorary doctorate award from the University of Nigeria.
“I thank the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, governing council, Senate, Staff and students of UNN for finding me worthy of this award,” she said.
The First Lady, who was represented by Mr Wahab Alawiye-King, Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Public Affairs and Strategy, said she would continue to encourage and promote education.
“In keeping with my commitment to promoting education, I am pleased to announce a donation of a N50m endowment fund for the overall best graduating student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka,” she said.
Our correspondent gathered that UNN’s Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Power and Energy Development (ACE-SPED) graduated seven PhD candidates and 13 Master’s degree students during the 55th convocation ceremony.
