From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
19,000 Graduands of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, were on Friday awarded their first degrees in various disciplines during the 6th convocation ceremony of the institution.
Speaking at the occasion, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Marietu Ohunene Tenuche, said that the convocation ceremony was a combined one beginning from 2016 to date.
She explained that the inability to organise convocation ceremony for too long was due to Covid-19, pandemic.
She disclosed that the National Universities Commission, (NUC) has accredited 48 programmes offered in the University, representing 100 per cent accreditation.
Professor Tenuche noted that the recent ranking of universities in Nigeria by NUC indicated that Prince Abubakar Audu University emerged one of 25 out of the 170 public and private universities in the country that have full accreditation for all courses offered.
The VC also disclosed that in the last three years (2019, 2020 and 2021) respectively, the Faculty of Law of the institution at the Nigeria Law School, has produced three First Class graduates, a feat she attributed to quality teaching, research and learning in the Faculty and the entire University.
Speaking on the effort of the management of the university in curbing cultism and other security challenges, the Vice Chancellor, disclosed that the institution has entered into collaboration with the vigilante outfit in Anyigba town to help in tackling criminalities in and around the campus.
She added that the effort was further complemented by the assistance the University received from the Army and the Police, assuring that the collaboration will continue to be sustained in the interest of the university.
Professor Tenuche who is the 5th Vice Chancellor of the University, lamented that since 2015 the institution was not able to hold convocation for graduands, noting that the ceremony was scheduled to hold in 2020 but was stalled by Covid-19 pandemic.
Graduands during ceremony were awarded First Degrees in the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts and Humanities, Education, Law, Management Sciences, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences. “Prizes and Awards were given to the deserving graduands in Faculties and Departments” she said.
Governor Yahaya Bello in a speech delivered on his behalf by his Deputy, Edward Onoja at the event, expressed the readiness of the present administration in Kogi state to position the University to attain its high potential.
The Governor explained that the renaming of the University after the late former Governor of the state, Prince Abubakar Audu was aimed at giving honour to whom it is due in recognition of his legacies when he ruled the state twice, from 1991 to 1993 as civilian Governor.
Bello assured that his administration is equally ready to do the needful in order to guarantee conducive learning environment in the University.