12, 450 Graduate as UNIUYO Holds Combined Convocation, Ekpo, Others Bag Honorary Degrees
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
At least 12, 450 graduands of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State will receive various degrees at its convocation ceremony billed for Saturday.
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Nyaudoh Ndaeyo disclosed this to newsmen during a pre-convocation/media briefing at the University main campus at Nwaniba, near Uyo on Monday.
He said the graduation ceremony covers 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 sessions with each set recording a total number of 5, 004 and 6, 279 graduating students respectively.
Similarly, some eminent Nigerians would be conferred with Honourary Degrees also at the convocation ceremony.
They are; Chief Effiong Daniel, Mrs Halima Suleiman Zakaria and Dr. Itanwan James, while former Vice-Chancellor of the University and world acclaimed economist, public finance and policy expert, Prof. Akpan Horgan Ekpo would be honoured with Honorary Emeritus Professor Degree of the institution.
Another former Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Enefiok Effiong Essien (SAN) of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Godfrey Okon Udo, Department of Estate Management and Prof. Enoabasi Essien Uruan of the Department of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages would receive Honorary Distinguished Professors Degrees in recognition of their invaluable contributions to the university and the society.
56 graduating students in 2020/2021 and 118 students in 2021/2022 bagged First Class degrees.
Others are; Ph.D, 313, Master Degree 608 and Post Graduate Diploma, 246, while Second Class (Upper Division) Bachelors Degree for 2020/2021 set stands at 1, 737 and Second Class (Lower Division), 2, 336, Third Class 412, Pass, 282 as well as Diploma 176 and Certificate five.
For 2021/2022 session, 6, 012 graduands will receive Bachelors Degree out of which; 2, 306 got Second Class (Upper Division), 2, 895 Second Class (Lower Division), 481, Third Class and 212 Pass, while Diploma is 235 and Certificate 32.
The VC also spoke on the development strides the institution has recorded under his watch to include; 90 percent full accreditation of academic programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
He said, the remaining 10 percent constitutes the newly unbundled programmes undergoing resources verification and accreditations currently adding that, the University presently has a total of 100 programmes in 117 departments under 19 Faculties, while others are awaiting accreditation by the NUC.
Prof. Ndaeyo maintained that, the existing peaceful coexistence between the management, staff and students arise from management adoption of a welfare approach in its working relationship on campus, as well as host communities among others.
He appreciated the Chancellor and Governing Council led by Prof. Zubairu Tajo Abdallah, management, media and stakeholders for their support.
The Vice-Chancellor also expressed his determination to uphold the tradition of excellence, while hoping that, the federal government will improve funding to universities, grant approval for employment of more staff and implement policies to enhance growth and service delivery in the citadels of learning in the country.
