From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
58 Salem University Graduands bagged first class degrees in various disciplines out of a total number of 960 graduating students at its 5th combined convocation ceremony held on Friday.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Alewo Johnson Akubo who disclosed this in his speech during the occasion, said that 149 Post Graduate students also graduated from the institution.
The VC charged the graduands to be good ambassadors of their Alma mater as they go into the wider world and labour market to face theatre of challenges.
According to the VC “You can either pray nor wish troubling times away. They come to us all, both small and great, hence the need for you graduating students today to remain good ambassadors of Salem brand in and out of season
“The University since my assumption of office as the 4th Vice Chancellor, have worked assiduously to ensure full accreditation of all the programmes offered in the institution by the National Universities Commission (NUC)
“However, Salem University under my watch had its fair of challenges, particularly in the areas of students enrollment and funding. We have, inspite of all odds, continued to consolidate on the gains made by my predecessors”
The Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello while speaking during the ceremony, promised sustained partnership with Salem University in the provision of quality education to citizens.
The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wemi Jones, commended the Proprietor of Salem University, Dr Sam Amaga for the giant strides recorded in the institution interms of academic and infrastructural growth.
Bello also praised the University for complementing government’s efforts for citizens to have access to affordable and quality education.
“My administration values education as no one priority inview of its importance as the bedrock of any nation’s economy and upliftment of the living standard of the people hence the reason why we devoted 30% of the state government budget in funding education
“Kogi Government will continue to be part and parcel of Salem University in partnership for sound education and will not hesitate to provide adequate security to enable the University operate without hindrances.”