Judith Donatus and Jubilate Esogwa
Not fewer than 252 graduands bagged first honours during 52nd convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).
A total of 12,562 graduands were awarded Bachelor degrees during the convocation ceremony held on Friday, 10 May.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Arizechukwu Igwe, this figure represents addition of 1,082 graduands compared to the graduation figure at the 51st convocation ceremony.
Out of the number, 4,834 graduands were conferred with the Second Class Honours (Upper Division), 5,883 were conferred with the Second Class Honours (Lower Division), and 747 graduands were awarded the Third Class Honours. Also, 25 graduands earned a Pass degree of the university.
For the postgraduate degrees and diplomas that will be conferred on Saturday, 11 May, the record shows that 1,438 students were successful.
The breakdown of the postgraduate degrees and diplomas were as follows: 412, the Doctorate degrees, 961 for Master’s degrees and 75 postgraduate diplomas.
Speaking at the ceremony on Friday, the vice chancellor disclosed that four persons will be conferred with honorary doctorate degree of the University in recognition of their contribution to national development.
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“Four persons who have been found deserving will be awarded the honorary doctorate degree of the University of Nigeria at the tomorrow’s convocation ceremony (11th May),” Professor Igwe said.
“They are Professor El Anatsui, who would receive the Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa), and Brigadier General J. O.J Okoloagau (Rtd), who would receive the Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa). The other awardees are Mr Igo Weli, who would receive the degree of Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa) and Sir Emeka Chuka Wilson Orakwe Offor, who would receive the degree of Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa).”
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Chancellor of the University and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, who was represented by the vice chancellor urged the graduands to make a personal commitment to contribute to the development of society. “There are many ways in which you can do this. You can become job creators and help address the problem of unemployment. You can become environment campaigners and help mitigate impact of climate change. You can become change agents and help to change some of the ills of the country, especially corruption.”
The Ooni of Ife announced that in keeping with the tradition of the University, 10 deserving professors of the university will be elevated to the distinguished status of Professor Emeritus. They include the following: two former vice chancellor of the University, Professor Bartho N. Okolo, (the 13th vice chancellor) and Professor Benjamin C. Ozumba ( the 14th vice chancellor). Others are Professor Anya O. Anya, Professor Sonny Augus N. D. Chidebelu, Professor Basil C. Ezeanolue, Rev. Fr. Professor Chuka Mike Ifeagwazi, Professor (Mrs.) Ifeoma Joy Okoye, Professor Ike Basil Onukogu, Professor Peter Ikechukwu Uche and Professor (Mrs.) Josephine Ifeyinwa Okafor.
Concluding his address, Oba Adeyeye, advised the graduands not to allow the socio economic concerns of the country dampen their mood. “Like your competitors, feel free to acquire additional skills and certificates that could improve your chances of getting a grip of the job market and make best use of the opportunities it presents,” he added.
Judith Donatus
