President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to always invest in education in order to improve access to quality education in Nigeria.
Tinubu said this in Nsukka on Saturday during the 55th University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) Convocation for the conferment of postgraduate diplomas, higher degrees, title of professor emeritus and award of honorary degrees.
He said that his administration recognises that education is the most strategic investment any nation could make for its future.
“Education is the foundation upon which our quest for sustainable economic growth, technological advancement, national and social cohesion are built.
“On our part, we will continue to provide opportunities for Nigerian students through the Students’ Loan Scheme, managed by 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 was represented by Prof. Edoba Omoregie, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
He said that his administration was committed to improving the welfare and capacity of academic and non-academic staff through better pay packages, reforms that encourage professional development, research excellence and institutional stability.
Tinubu congratulated the university on what he described as a landmark achievement on its 55th convocation, wishing the institution many more decades of excellence, innovation and service to Nigeria, Africa and humanity.
In his remarks, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, and
The Chancellor of UNN, congratulated the postgraduate graduands, saying their success reflected hard work, perseverance, sacrifice and resilience.
The chancellor expressed satisfaction with the achievements of the VC in less than one year in office.
He described it as one of the best since he was appointed the chancellor of the university, 11 years ago.
Earlier, Prof Simon Ortuanya, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, said that the convocation is 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 will serve as the intellectual conscience of a new nation; a university that will liberate the African mind through knowledge, inspire leadership through character and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of humanity,” he said.
The VC said that within the past 11 months of his administration, the three campuses of the university have become living construction sites as almost all internal roads have undergone comprehensive reconstruction, with modern drainage systems and pedestrian walkways.
He announced the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees of Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa) on the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu in recognition of her distinguished contributions to public service and women empowerment, among others.
The honorary degree award of Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa) was conferred on High Chief Williams Agbo as an accomplished Entrepreneur, Industrialist, and Philanthropist.
The Doctor of Social Work (Honoris Causa) went to Dr William Richardson, an eminent American Faith Leader, and an education advocate.
Arc. Dr Kelechi Orji, was awarded, as an accomplished Architect and Entrepreneur, the Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa).
The VC also announced that a total of 2,994 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 speech, Sen. Tinubu said she was happy and excited to receive the honorary doctorate award from the university.
“I thank the Chancellor, Vice-chancellor, Governing Council, Senate, staff and students of UNN for finding me worthy of this award,” she said.
Sen. Tinubu, who was represented at the convocation by Mr Wahab Alawiye-King, the 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 N50m endowment fund for the overall best graduating student of University of Nigeria Nsukka,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that UNN’s
Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Power and Energy Development (ACE-SPED) graduated seven Ph.Ds and 13 masters degrees at the 55th convocation (NAN)
