MAIDEN CONVOCATION: FUNAI GRADUATES 124 SOARING EAGLES
The Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi state recently held its maiden convocation ceremony, turning out 124 graduates in 4 academic disciplines of the University. The breakdown of the graduands showed that Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences graduated 15; Faculty of Humanities 30; Faculty of Management and Social Sciences 39 and Faculty of Science 40 soaring eagles.
Some of the soaring eagles celebrating their admission into the degrees of FUNAI
These pioneer graduates of the University having been well tutored in the culture of excellence and integrity and equipped with the relevant functional knowledge and sellable skills as well as found to be worthy in both character and learning were admitted into the degrees of the University by the Chancellor, HRM Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland. As soaring eagles the graduates were expected to soar in all facets of life by contributing to the growth and development of our nation and the world at large.
The University having been established on 26th February, 2011 by the Federal Government started academic activities on 5th November, 2012 which culminated with its first convocation ceremony on Tuesday, 20th December, 2016.
Speaking during the convocation ceremony which drew people of all works of life, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba stated that the good performance of the University’s students could be attributed to a number of factors that included excellent and world class staff-student ratio, staff commitment, students’ willingness to learn, absent of common vices plaguing some older universities, good laboratories, workshops, among others, noting that these have all been attested to by the National Universities Commission’s accreditation reports, as well as external examiners’ reports.
VC, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba giving his speech during the convocation ceremony
The Vice Chancellor further used the opportunity to call for national and international partnerships and investors in order to improve the infrastructural standing of the University.
Addressing the congregation during the ceremony, the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the University Governing Council, Prof. Mba Uzokwu emphasized their resolve, as a University, to stick to excellence and integrity in the discharge of their responsibilities in teaching, research and community service.
Pro-chancellor of the University, Prof. Mba Uzokwu addressing the congregation
He further noted they would continue to build the capacities of staff in order to boost their competences and skills for improved productivity and job performance, adding that the University has a very bright future because of the academic standard they were fostering and the emphasis on the culture of production-driven research and practical-oriented learning experience for students.
The Chancellor of the University, Oba Gbadebo, in his remarks urged the Governing Council, Senate, Management and Staff of the University to keep the flag of excellence, integrity and entrepreneurship flying in order to build and sustain a University that would be globally recognized for the quality of its research and alumni. The royal father further reiterated that economic growth, development and sustainability of the Nation depended on the quality of functional knowledge and sellable skills at the disposal of graduates as well as the quality of research from Universities and charged all stakeholders to ensure that the quality of teaching, learning and research in the University was strictly maintained at all times.
Chancellor of the University, HRM Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo admitting the graduates to the degrees of the University
Rounding off the convocation speeches, the Visitor of the University and President and Commander-in-chief of Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Mohammadu Buhari challenged Nigerian Universities to embark on production-driven research, adding that the Federal Government has set up committee to look into the 12 newly created Federal Universities to determine how funds released for their take-off have been expended. The President who was represented in the occasion by the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed further opined that the investigation panel was to ensure probity and accountability in the use of public funds.
Rep. of Visitor, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission delivering the address of President Mohammadu Buhari during the ceremony
The high point of the ceremony was award of special prizes to some deserving graduates for their excellent academic performances in their respective disciplines.
Best graduating female student, Ms Sandra receiving her award from the Chancellor, HRM Oba Gbadebo while FUWA President, Dr. Chinyere Nwajiuba, Mrs. Agnes Chukwu and Dr. Chinyere Elom watch with keen interest
Meanwhile on Monday, 19th December, 2016, the University held its maiden convocation lecture where the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, His Excellency Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu delivered a lecture titled “ Pioneering and Pioneers: The Search for Self Sufficiency” at the University auditorium. The event was chaired by former Minister of Education; Prof. Ihechukwu Madubike and witnessed by the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi state, Chief Martin Elechi and other dignitaries that included Chief Senator Chris Nwankwo, Arc. Edward Nkwegu, Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze, Barr. Ndubisi Onwe Chibueze, among others.
HE Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu speaking during the maiden convocation lecture