By Janet Nyajon Audu, Jalingo.
14th, Feb, 2022
The Vice president of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo has enjoined youths and the graduates of the Federal University Wukari to embrace technology and to engage in Innovation that will add value to the society.
Osibanjo stated this when he represented the President Muhammadu Buhari the Visitor to the Federal University Wukari in Taraba State during their 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Combined Convocation ceremony.
He commended the University for widening its academic base by increasing the number of their faculty from 3 to 9 and the introduction of medical sciences, Faculty of engineering, Education and Law into the institution.,
He urged the university to work diligently in collaboration with the private sector and relevant government agencies to ensure that they have the best possible teaching hospital facilities for the medical programme of the University.
While congratulating the graduates on the successful completion of their various degree programmes, he reminded them that they belong to one of the most resilient, dynamic and energetic purpolation on this planet.
Osibanjo called on them to take full advantage of the knowledge and skills they have acquired to innovate and make value adding their motto.
He disclosed that the Federal government is ready and willing to create initiative that will create wealth, job and opportunities hence establishing initiatives programs like the 75 Billion National Youths Investment fund and the central Bank of Nigeria as creative sector funds.
His words “In our determination to address Youths restiveness in Nigeria, I have recently approved the Investing in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) program and over 600 Million dollars will support young tech and creative sector entrepreneur through the provision of finance’s, skills development, infrastructure and the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows programme that will begin this year 2022 and every year under the programme, 20, 0000 young graduates who have done the National Youths service Corp will be giving fully paid internships that will last for 12 months in reputable private and public organisations across the country, the idea is that participants will gain relevant carrier and life skills that will impact on their lives and the society, the Programme will last for five yeas and the will be funded by the Federal government, the UNDP and the European Union EU, so digital technology is our part-way to Accelerated growth, let it be that its your generation that will burry once and for all this prejudices and heal the wounds and build a great society of brothers and sisters of different tribes”.
In his address earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Jude .S. Rabo, described the day as a great and special one in the lives of the graduates because its formally marks the end of part of the journey they started years ago towards preparing themselves towards playing diverse roles in supporting the developmental aspirations of Nigeria and the global community.
According to him ” The University have found you all worthy in character and in learning and thus worthy of the award of the various degrees that will be conferred on you today, I rejoice with you, your parents and friends for attaining this feat, you must note that this is a stepping stone to the future and you must prepare to make the best of it as you strive for excellence in your personal and professional endeavors.,”
“. A total number of (3897) individuals are today being conferred with various Bachelor’s Degrees of the University in the following faculties: Faculty of Agriculture and life sciences 672, faculty of Humanities Management and Social Science 2,266 and faculty of Pure and Applied science 1059, and 107 students came out with First Class Bachelor’s Degrees out of 3897, I therefore urge you as ambassadors of the University to represent the school well wherever you find yourselves, you must demonstrate high sense of character and integrity because this is the basis for success in all endeavors”.
The Vice Chancellor further revealed that the University in her quest for excellence, has established a centre for distance learning and introduced part-time programmes, adding that the institution have also signed Memorandum of Understanding with two Institutions in India and Innoson group of Company in Anambra state with the view to enhance opportunities for both students and staff to engage with colleagues from across the globe.
The Vice Chancellor who was visibly overwhelmed with joy expressed happiness over the ongoing construction of the Ibi Bridge, maintaining that when completed, it will improve the economic progress of the North-East and the country at large.
Rabo also commended the Federal government for completion of the Kashimbila Dam project which is a few Kilometres away from the university.
In his goodwill message, the Governor of Taraba state Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku represented by the Secretary to the Government (SGS) of the State Hon. Anthony Jellason said his administration is commited to providing the necessary support for the University to expand its academic activities to meet not only the educational needs of the youths but to also contribute to the development of the state.
He called on the people of Wukari and its neibouring Benue state to embrace the existing peace that the government was able to resrore in the area and the state at large.
Also speaking, the Chancellor of the University, the ONA of Abaji and Chairman of FCT Council of Chiefs HRM Alh. (Dr) Adamu Bala Yunusa said, the numbers of projects commissioned in the school are eloquent testimonies to the administration Prowess of the major stakeholders in the university.
He appreciated the past and present Vice and Pro- Chancellors of the University for the efforts made to ensure that projects of such magnitude are completed and put to proper use.
The ONA admonished the graduates never to forget Agriculture, saying that Agriculture holds the key to their collective development and wel- being even as they search for white collar job or secured one already.
Our Correspondent who was at the occasion reports that the ceremony begun on Friday with Convocation press briefing in the morning and Convocation lecture in the evening by Professor Armstrong Matiu Adejo Titled ” University System in Nigeria: The Raison d’etre the Challenges, Enemies and Frenemis’ and the Prospect.”
Our Correspondent also reports that prominent Nigeria were recognised and were given doctorate degree award in the person of Alh. Adamu Muazu, former governor of Bauchi state, Dr Demian Dodo SAN and Innoson group of Company’s CEO and the valitdary speech was delivered by the best graduating studen, Mr. Shedrack Yakubu of the Industrial Chemistry Department with 4.91 CGP.
The occasion was graced by the Executive Secretary of Tedfund Professor Alias Bogoro, the Executive Secretary of the NUC and the Minister of education all represented by the immediate passed V.C Prof. Musa Kundiri among other many prominent Nigerians.
There was also commissioning of projects by the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo and the Executive Secretary of Tedfund.
Oracle Reporters 