Management of Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK) have conferred degrees on a total of 32884 graduants for the three sets of 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state congratulated the graduands for the academic achievement at the 8th combined convocation ceremony held at the University in Keffi local government area of Nasarawa state recently.
In his speech, Sule urged the graduands to fly the banner of honour and integrity of their alma mater as worthy ambassadors at all times no matter the circumstance.
“You must go and build communities, the nation and humanity as a whole. As graduands of this university, you are expected to give back in equal measure and even much more in return to the society,” he said.
He noted that his administration has sustained it’s commitment to the education sector since assuming office because no amount of investment and sacrifice can be too much to provide quality education considering it’s socio-economic development to the society.
“I need to place on record that our administration shall continue to build on the enviable legacies of my predecessors to sustain the strides so far achieved.
“In this regard, I must commend the efforts of successive administrations in the state for keeping the dream of the founding fathers alive and for nurturing the state university to this enviable height, making it to compete with the world class universities not just in Nigeria but Africa and the world at large,” he said.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that students learn in safe and supportive environments.
He then commended the governing council under Professor Attahiru Jega for supporting the efforts of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sa’adatu Liman in providing academic leadership that inspires growth and confidence in the university.
In her speech, Prof. Sa’adatu Liman, Vice Chancellor of NSUK said the total of 32884 students graduating comprises 1677 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 8169 Masters, 2809 Postgraduate Diplomas, 20229 first degree and 3 Honourary graduands (honoris causa).
“In the first degree category of regular students, 82 students are graduating with First class Honours across all faculties with a ratio of 50:50 between males and females.
“The award of Honorary degrees, Honoris Causa are to three personalities namely: Dr Samia Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Alhaji Abdul Samad-Rabiu, Founder and Chairman of BUA Group and Dr Mahmoud Ahmadu, President of the Nigerian-Arabian Gulf Chamber of Commerce, Dubai, UAE,” she said.
She appealed to the state government to consider employing the indigenes of the state among the First Class graduates in the services of the university to incentivise excellence and expand the academic staff manpower base needed to develop the state.
“The university on it’s part is awarding a cash prize of N50,000 to each of the 82 graduands and another N50,000 to the best there graduands in each of the three academic sessions totalling four million, two hundred and fifty thousand naira only,” she said.
In an interview, Dr Salamatu Al-Makura, a Doctorate degree recipient and former First Lady of Nasarawa state praised the university management for the timely completion of degree programmes and organizing convocation ceremonies without delay.
She described the university as the pride of every citizen of the state and applauded the founder, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu and other visitors for the tirelessly work done to raise the profile of the institution.
She then called on every girl who aspire to attain a certain level of education not to give up or be discouraged whatsoever but work hard to achieve their dreams.
“It has not been an easy journey but I thank Allah for his mercies and for making us the graduands see today. I can tell you that this journey is totally worth it. I urge girls not to give up on their dreams. They can also get to this level of they want to,” she said.
In another interview, Dr Tope Oyeleke, anither Doctorate degree recipient who expressed gladness over the achievement recounted the stress she went through to complete the course but admitted that the effort was worth it.
“I am using this opportunity to encourage my co women that anything they want to do they should tell it to God and go for it with all determination. Don’t wait for anybody.
“If you are a married woman, discuss with your spouse and strive to get some of the resources. Don’t wait for your husband to get everything. I am also telling single ladies to go for it. Don’t wait till you get married,” she said.
…END.