Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has called on graduating students from the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), to uphold the teachings they have received from the University, saying their communities will need their input to make Nigeria a better place.
Al-Makura made this call while delivering an address at the 5th Combined Convocation Ceremonies of seven (7) sets of undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University, which held at the University Convocation Square on Saturday, 6th May, 2017.
According to him, the training they have received from the University has not only prepared them on the academic front but also equipped them to play their part in improving the quality of life in their various communities.
His words: “As these students are unleashed, so to speak, on society, it is in the womb of time how the products of the Institution will turn out to be. It is my fervent hope and prayer that they will turn out to be of the highest quality such that society and the graduates themselves would have been done a great deal and not short-changed.
“Universities are not just institutions for awarding degrees but a very central institution of control in a society. Universities are usually in the forefront of any social challenge, especially with the power of research being focused on areas that promote human development and solve existing problems”.
He however regretted that the Nigerian society today is not knowledge driven largely because most universities do not prepare their graduands to meet the needs of the society, as bland certificates are, often times, issued to graduates who are barely literate.
Earlier in his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Muhammad Akaro Mainoma, said Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has over the years, carved a niche for academic excellence, stressing that he has no doubt that with the quality of knowledge acquired by the graduands, after going through the rigour of academic and character building, will enhance their contribution to the state and national development.
The Vice Chancellor was confident that despite the distinct and pervasive challenges facing higher education in Nigeria, the University Management will remain unshaken in its readiness to transform the University, as it will continue to navigate the key realities and operate within a rapidly evolving higher education industry with a future difficult to predict.
While expressing profound appreciation to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, for his consistent support for the University, through grants and extra-budgetary support among others, the Vice Chancellor maintained that the demand for academic studies in the University still calls for vigorous investment in infrastructure development and staffing.
The 5th Combined Convocation Ceremonies of the Nasarawa State University had a total number of 22,846 undergraduates with various classes of degree, as well as 8,270 postgraduate students, who had successfully completed their studies in seven faculties and met the requirements, both in character and learning, as approved by the Senate of the University for 2008/2009-2015/2016 academic sessions.
Present at the occasion were His Excellency, Silas Ali Agara, Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State; Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, Emir of Keffi and Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese/Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Nasarawa State University, Keffi; and Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari among others.
The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, who is also a Visiting Associate Professor with the Department of Theatre and Cultural Studies, Nasarawa State University, was accompanied by Mr. Alex Omijie (Director of Orientation & Cultural Affairs, NICO); Mr. Law Ezeh (SA-ES, NICO); Dr. Regina Onuoha (Coordinator, NICO Training School, Abuja Study Centre); Mr. Ibrahim Malgwi (Head of Protocol, NICO); Mr. Patrick Nwagbo Obi (Head of Academics, NICO TS, Abuja Study Centre), and Mr. Emeka Bokolo (PA-ES, NICO), amongst others.
Caleb Nor
Media Assistant to ES
NICO Hqtrs, Abuja.