Eight get First Class at UNIAGRIC, Makurdi convocation

Personalities from various walks of life gathered at the Federal University of Agriculture (UNIAGRIC) in Makurdi, Benue State, last Saturday, for its 22nd convocation. Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu-Gambari was also installed as the institution’s new chancellor on the occasion.
The convocation was preceded by a lecture on Friday with the theme: Solving Nigeria’s food security challenges through integrated research, enhanced skills and effective engagement of agriculture. The lecture was delivered by  Dr Mustapha Shettima, former Minister of Agriculture.

Shettima harped on the nation’s efforts in ensuring food security, saying without greater efforts to improve agriculture production, Nigeria may experience food shortage and people may have nothing to feed on. He urged agricultural universities to embark on research to boost food productivity and improve the nation’s income. This, he said, must be done in partnership with the Federal Government.
The ceremony took place at the James Ayatse Convocation Arena in the South Wing of the university main campus.
As procession of the body principal officers led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Emmanuel Kucha, and members of the Senate arrived at the venue, the event started with standing ovation by the graduands and their parents.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented at the event, told the graduands to be steadfast in their quest to practise what they were taught in school. He said they must imbibe the virtues of transparency and accountability in their dealings, saying this would propel them as good ambassadors of their institution and the country. The president urged the management and staff of the school to support his administration’s effort to fight corruption and promote accountability.

Other speakers included Alhaji Zulu-Gambari, who was installed fourth chancellor of the university and honoured with a Doctor of Letters. He urged the students to be good ambassadors of their alma mater.
Governor of Benue State, represented by his deputy, Mr Benson Abounu, reiterated his government’s willingness to partner with the university in its drive to promote agricultural production and enhance food security.

Pro-chancellor, Dr Chike Udenze, also urged support for the institution.
Prof Kucha, in his address, explained that the university recorded milestone achievement, saying it graduated highest number of students with First Class.
Of 3,904 students being graduated, eight have finished with a First Class, 1,055 graduated with Second Class (Upper Division), 1,325 had Second Class (Lower Division), 748 got Third Class, while 35 got Pass.

Also, there were 711 Postgraduate students, who received their certificates. Of the total, 29 received doctoral degree, 230 got Master’s degree, while 452 received Post-graduate Diploma.
Ngozi Chukwuka Ona of the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science emerged the best graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.67.

The ceremony ended with closing remarks by Deputy VC for Administration, Prof Ayodele, who praised the dignitaries that graced convocation for their support for the school. He said the university would host them again when Nigeria Universities Games (NUGA) starts next year. He said the event would position the school for investment and strengthen relationship with other universities.

A thanksgiving was held on Sunday at the Catholic Chaplaincy on the campus, which marked the end of the graduation activities and to commemorate the VC’s third year in office.