…Awards Kalu, Sultan, Ovia doctorate degrees
From Chidi Nnadi and Aloysius Madu, Enugu
 
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has announced that it would graduate 9,298 students and confer doctorate degrees on three prominent Nigerians during its 47th Convocation.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, disclosed this Monday at a press briefing held at the Enugu Campus of the university to flag off the one week-long activities to mark the convocation.
Ozumba said that of the total number of graduands, first degree, diploma and certificate recorded 7,830 with 132 coming out in First Class.
According to the vice chancellor, 1,468 are in postgraduate degrees and diploma; 331, doctor of philosophy degrees; 982, masters degree and 155, postgraduate diplomas.
“Three eminent Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in public service will be awarded honorary doctorate degrees of our university. They include, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto; Chairman of Slok Group, His Excellency, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, and the Chairman, Zenith Bank, Mr Jim Ovia,” he said.
Ozumba also disclosed that the university would be conferring the title of Professor Emeritus on eight of their renowned professors who had served the institution meritoriously and are still making invaluable contributions to their academics.
He also used the opportunity to reel out his achievements in the university in recent times.
His words: “Recall that I briefed you of our plans to produce made-in-UNN laptops early this year, I am glad to announce to you that during our 57th Founders’ Day celebration in October; we commissioned a Laptop Assembly Plant in our Nsukka campus. The commissioning exercise was performed by the Sultan of Sokoto and witnessed by the governors of Enugu and Delta states. The first set of Lion brand Laptops were rolled out.
“Barely one year after we launched Roar Nigeria Hub, a pilot version of our dream Science Park, five innovation groups are already under its mentorship. We are determined to take it further by mapping out about 45.9 hectares of land for the full-fledged Science Park Project which is expected to attract over 400 companies scouting for research and innovations from the university.
“The park will be Nigeria’s version of Silicon Valley, where innovations will be hatched, nurtured and commercialised. The University of Nigeria has once again demonstrated its capacity to provide solution to national questions by setting the pace for the much coveted knowledge-based economy in Nigeria.
“At the international front, we have been able to strengthen our strategic collaborations and linkages with renowned universities in different continents. One of the milestones in the collaboration is the arrangement to train our medical students four years in UNN and two years in Israel under an International Management Institute.
“It is also notable that in less than eight months we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Guangxi Academy of Sciences, China, the academy has accepted to take over 30 doctoral students from our university, it is also remarkable that Michigan State University, which left our institution at the wake of the civil war, is back. Our faculties are currently benefiting from their collaborations in the areas of agriculture and pharmaceutical sciences.”
Ozumba, who was accompanied to the briefing by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof Charles Igwe; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof James Ogbonna; Deputy Vice Chancellor, UNEC, Prof Smart Uchendu; UNN Registrar, Barr. Chris Igbokwe; Chairman, Senate Ceremonials, Prof Kenneth Oforkansi; deans of faculties, heads of department and other principal officers of the university, disclosed that the institution has “continued to attract goodwill from our alumni and other well-meaning Nigerians who have made significant donations to improve the state of infrastructure in our campuses.”