The University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University, on Saturday, held its 29th and 30th combined convocation, with a total of 17,300 graduands being awarded various degrees.
At the ceremony which took place at the main campus of the university, the Governing Council, Senate, management, staff and students of the institution also bestowed an Honorary Doctorate Degree; Doctor of Business Administration on the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Paulo Group of Companies, Paul Odili and two others.
Vice Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University Abuja, Prof. Hakeem Fawehunmi, disclosed that Dr Odili, Prof Yusuf Ali, SAN, and Emmanuel Issa, had satisfied the requirements of the University both in character and learning to be honoured by the university.
“I doff my hat for you for this well deserved honour and great achievement” Prof. Fawehinmi stated.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor urged the graduands to use the training and experience acquired in the institution to contribute towards the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
“As you graduate and move into the next phase of your lives, know that nobody will ask you what you studied, but what to you can contribute to the development of this country.
“Certificates can open doors, but it is your character, discipline, integrity, and steadfastness that will determine how far you go and endure.
“Wherever you go, and where your paths lead you, remember to guide the reputation of this university jealously.
Prof. Fawehinmi advised the graduands to let their integrity and discipline shine and guide them as well as allow service to the nation and humanity be their watchwords.
In his remarks after being conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree; Doctor of Business Administration, Dr Paul Odili, who is also the Founder/Pro-Chancellor of Margaret Lawrence University Delta/Abuja, thanked the institution for finding him worthy of recognition.
Dr Odili, who hails from Delta State, urged Nigerians not to despair, stressing that it pays for one to pursue ones dream.
“I want to dedicate this honour to all Nigerians who dare to dream, because I have seen the power of belief and dream. When you dream, believe it is possible.
“For a village boy like me to stand before you today to be honoured, I want to tell Nigerians, irrespective of where you come from or what you do, to keep dreaming.
“It is possible, I am a living testimony that dreams can come true” Dr Odili stated.
In view of the challenges facing the institution, Dr Odili, who is also the Founder/Chairman of Paulo Homes Ltd, owners of River Park Estate Abuja, assured that he would partner with the university.
“I will do all within my power to see that this university is not where it used to be again.
“I am going to work with the Governing Council, the Vice Chancellor and management of the university, so that in the next two years, most of these challenges I have heard today, will be tackled.
“Thank you very much as I implore you all to keep dreaming. It is possible, you can be anything you want to be” Dr Odili advised.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor disclosed that the 29th Convocation was for the 2022/2023 academic session, while the 30th Convocation was for the 2023/2024 session.
Giving a breakdown of the combined convocation, Prof Fawehinmi said for the 2022/2023 session (Ist Degree), 48 persons bagged First Class; 2048 made Second Class Upper, 4418 graduated with Second Class Lower, while 644 had Third Class.
For the 2023/2024 session, 29 graduated with First Class, Second Class Upper 1395, and Second Class Lower 3091.
Similarly, in the category of Post Graduate Students covering March 2024 to March 2026, 815 got Post Graduate Diploma; 1724 Academic Masters Degree; Professional Masters Degree 1244; Doctors of Philosophy 729, and Professional Doctorate 64.
The Vice-Chancellor said the institution was repositioning itself through infrastructure expansion, staff development and strategic partnerships, adding that efforts were aimed at strengthening research and learning.
Fawehinmi said the university administration had since December prioritised stabilising academic activities, strengthening institutional governance and improving staff and student welfare.
Earlier, Sen. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, called for stronger private sector collaboration to address infrastructure challenges, particularly student accommodation.
Tejuoso said student enrolment had nearly doubled without commensurate expansion of hostel facilities and urged investors and corporate organisations to partner with the university in developing modern hostels.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education sector through sustained investment, improved infrastructure and enhanced staff welfare.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Abel Enitan, the minister described education as one of the most powerful instruments for building prosperous and stable societies.
He said nations that prioritised education positioned themselves for leadership, innovation and sustainable development.