FEATURED NEWS
We are Reversing Infrastructure Rot in Varsities ~FG
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- Published: 19 January 2023
By Sam Kpenu and Juliet Nneji
President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his administration's commitment to reversing years of decay and deficit on infrastructure in Nigeria's tertiary institutions. Buhari who gave the assurance at the 33rd combined convocation ceremony of the institution, hinted on delivering more infrastructure in universities as intervention to boost education in the country. He said education is key to national development, and as such, his administration is working to reverse the challenges encountered in the sector.
Represented by former Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Professor Eniofiok Essien, the President said: “ My government is in hard thinking and readiness to push frontiers of learning through various levels of education in the country. For this reason, TET FUND and NEEDS assessment programmes of the federal government have placed keen watch for learning equipment and resources.”
“All over the world universities are known to be catalyst for national development, hence our commitment to bring development and growth in our universities. Years ago, the government approved rehabilitation projects for all university hostels and classroom blocks in the University of Port Harcourt.
“My government is still keen on ensuring that the rot and decay of several decades are reversed in terms of infrastructural intervention. The university's programme of study has multiplied tenfold, and are responding to the challenges of our crying need for development,” he said, calling on Universities to play mentorship role through sensitisation and enlightenment, to become an agent of positive change in the country.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor Professor, Owunari Georgewill said that 19,526 students graduated from various departments and faculties at the convocation ceremony. He said 9,439 graduated with bachelor's degrees with 161 obtaining First Class, while 9,678 received Post-Graduate Diplomas (PGD) certificates.
He noted that in the postgraduate category, 1007 received the Doctor of Philosophy degree while 3,745 graduates received Masters degree award in several specialisations. Also, a total of 4,926 were awarded the Postgraduate Diploma Degrees with 207 Distinctions, 1,874 Upper Credits, 2,646 Lower Credits and 199 Merits for the two academic sessions.
The Vice Chancellor described the University as a huge intellectual laboratory and centre of excellence that has produced intellectuals and leaders in every sector of the nation's economy. As part of the activities commemorating the convocation ceremony, Professor Murtala Sabo Sagagi of Bayero University, Kano, delivered the Convocation Lecture entitled “Knowledge Transfer and Internationalisation of Nigerian Universities: Dynamics and Challenges,” while the two Best Graduating Students, Godgift Nwankwo and Evans Jaja, undertook the customarily tree planting exercise.
