Akwa Ibom varsity graduates 40 students at maiden convocation

The Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) on Saturday graduated 40 students at its maiden convocation.

The graduating students, who were from the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, were for the 2013/2014 academic session.

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Eno James, said the 40 students were found worthy in character and learning over four years of study.

He urged the graduands to be good ambassadors of the institution.

“As our pioneer graduands, who have been found worthy in character and learning, we expect you to exhibit exemplary virtue which will distinguish you from the larger society,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 25 male and 15 female students were the pioneer graduates from the institution.

“This maiden convocation consummates our yearning to own State University and places Akwa Ibom at par with its counterparts. This is just the beginning.

“I am proud to be the vice chancellor who is graduating the first set of students of Akwa Ibom State University,” Mr. James said.

He also said the National Universities Commission (NUC) had accredited 12 degree programmes in the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences in the institution.

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“In the first outing in 2014, the university successfully secured 100 per cent full accreditation for all the 12 degree programmes as approved by NUC,’’ he said.

He, however, lamented that the institution lacks hostel accommodation for students.

The vice chancellor commended Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom for approving a capital grant of N2 billion for the university to upgrade its facilities.

According to him, N1.5 billion of that amount had already been released and work is on to complete ongoing projects.

Earlier, the Chancellor of the university and Emir of Kazaure, Najib Adamu, had stressed the importance of education.

He implored the university to deliver excellent and sustainable education to deserving youths in order to produce self-employed graduands.

The chancellor also thanked the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Peters, for his tremendous contribution in nurturing the university.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor of the institution, A. S Udofia, said the university was in partnership with the state government to achieve rapid growth targets.

Mr. Udofia, who is also the Chairman of the Governing Council, promised a holistic and conducive learning environment for the students.

“This target shall be vigorously pursued during the tenure of this council with the help and support of all our esteemed stakeholders,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the university produced two First Class graduates.

Ibekwe Emmanu who read Physics had a CGPA of 4.69 while Sandy Yellow who studied Genetics and Biotechnology had CGPA of 4.68.

(NAN)