UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA CELEBRATES 51ST CONVOCATION CEREMONY TURNS OUT 288 FIRST CLASS GRADUATES AND OTHERS

By Chris Ugwuja

The first indigenous university in Nigeria, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka recently turned out 288 First Class Graduates at her 51st Convocation ceremony with an Iheaka-born student from Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Enugu State, Miss Urama, Vivian Chikwado of the Department of Soil Science emerging the best graduating student of the session. Miss Vivian went home with the best graduating student’s award.

The University of Nigeria Nsukka academic record breaker, Miss Vivian Urama, graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science.

Miss Vivian broke the record in the University having the highest CGPA ever recorded in the university with a score of 4.99/5.

Speaking during the conferment of 1st degrees, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Charles Arizechukwu Igwe, (FAS), announced that a total of 11,494 degrees comprising of Bachelor’s degrees, diploma certificates and postgraduate degrees were awarded at the convocation.

Further breakdown of the bachelor’s degrees, according to Prof. Igwe, showed that 4,853 students graduated with second class (Upper division), 5,077 merited 2nd class (lower division), 653 received 3rd Class and 7 graduates received pass degrees respectively.

Also awarded, according to him, were 67 diploma certificates, which included 7 distinctions; 35 credits, 22 merits and 3 passes in addition to 616 unclassified degrees.

At the postgraduate level, the Vice-Chancellor stated that 519 were conferred with the doctorate degrees, 934 earned the Masters degrees while 95 graduates were given postgraduate diploma certificates at the event held on Saturday, 25 November, 2023.

In keeping with the tradition, the Vice-Chancellor added, that the Honorary Doctorate Degrees (Honoris Causa) of the University were awarded to two eminent Nigerians who have excelled and distinguished themselves in their chosen careers and their services to the country and humanity.

The doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa) was conferred on Inspector-General of Police, Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo (rtd), OON, CFR, a former Inspector-General of Police and Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank PLC. She was also awarded the Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa).

Prof. Igwe advised the fresh graduates to face the future with boldness, noting that their greatest asset was their certificates which is recognized and valued across the globe. He enjoined them not to allow the prevailing unemployment in the country to dampen their hope, believing that better days lie ahead of them.

The Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogwunwusi, The Ojaja 11, the great Ooni of Ife noted that the latest graduates were equally quality-assured and would contribute in their drive to restore the dignity of man. He praised the Igwe-led administration for working to maintain the standards which the University is known for.