By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has charged universities in Nigeria to rededicate themselves to the pursuit of innovations, new knowledge and skills in order to be relevant and make the society a better place.
Tinubu who made the call at the 6th and 7th Combined Convocation ceremony of the Federal University Lokoja on Saturday said the world was rapidly changing and in constant demands of better ways of doing things through pursue innovations, new knowledge and skills.
The President who was represented by Mr Zaphaniah Jisalo, Minister for Special Duties said his administration placed premium on technology and innovation as drivers of technological growth and economic development of Nigeria.
“Today we live in a rapidly changing world which demands our constant requirement to pursue innovations, new knowledge and skills in our educational institutions in order to be relevant and make our society a better place”, he said.
The President stressed that education was one of the focal points of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration adding that his government was giving priority to courses in steel in its institutions by offering scholarship to students to enable them study technology related courses.
The President called on the 2,738 graduands to be good ambassadors of the university by applying the knowledge, experience and values they had acquired to impact the larger society.
Chancellor of the university, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammadu Abali, the Emir of Fika, noted that the university was fast expanding in courses and programmes to produce quality future leaders.
“In keeping with our mission to train future leaders who will contribute to development through innovative ideas, the school has worked tirelessly to make sure that no academic here is to lost.
“This is against the backdrop of industrial actions, Covid-19 and other global challenges. In addition the university has expanded in programmes to accommodate the confluence nature of the state and the surrounding neighbours”, he said.
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr Folashed Arike Ayoade said as part of his administration commitment to Education, it has increased the annual budgetary allocation to education sector to 30 per cent.
Earlier in his address, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice Chancellor of the University said that the combined Convocation with about 2,738 graduands was the second convocation under his administration.
Akinwumi said that the institution had so far organized 12 inaugural lectures in its bid to promote academic excellence through institutionalization of academic traditions and ceremonies.
The Vice Chancellor said that a total 2,521 graduates with 1,283 from the the 6th set and 1,238 from the 7th set would be conferred with first degrees alongside 99 Master Degrees, and 128 Postgraduate Diploma.
Breakdown of the graduands for the two sets, shows that 61 persons bagged First Class Honours; 605, Second Class Upper Division; 1,404 are in Second Class Lower Division, 447 are in Third Class Honours and 4 persons bagged Pass.
On the relocation of the University to its permanent site in Felele area of Lokoja, the Vice Chancellor said, “I want to inform you with utmost excitement that all the programmes of the University are now domiciled on the Permanent Site in Felele.
He said that FUL had not relaxed in its bid to strengthen “town and gown” relationship and carry out community service through public lectures. (Ends)