By Aliyu Baba Mohammed
The management of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria has graduated a total of 25, 432 students and honoured four other Nigerians at its 43rd convocation ceremony held on Saturday, 27th January, 2024 at Mamman Kontagora Square of the University's main campus in Samaru, Zaria.
The university awarded the graduands with Bsc, MSc, PhD, Postgraduate Diploma and Honorary Degrees respectively in various academic fields after the fulfillment of requirements for the completion of their studies in the various Faculties and Departments. The honorary Degrees include two Doctors of Laws, one Doctor Letters and a Doctor of Science.
Declaring the convocation ceremony opened, the Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, CFR felicitated the Vice Chancellor, Management, Staff and particularly Students of the prestigious University and the parents on the great occasion of 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The Chancellor implored the graduands to explore and leverage on the digital and technological opportunities available in various occupations, professions and vocations, which has unlimited job and/or career opportunities for individuals who are ready to grab them in order to become self-reliant.
"I wish to advise the graduands to think creatively on how they can become self-employed rather than waiting for white collar jobs which are very limited. The current age of digital/social revolution and technology has become the main access to literally all occupations, professions and vocations, which has exposed the limitless opportunities that now exist for brilliant men and women."
He further felicitated with the four honorary graduands who were recognized by the authorities of Ahmadu Bello University for their selfless service in the field of education in particular and humanity in general.
He specially commended the two female awardees for their exceptional services for the development of human societies, while he also charged them to maintain the tempo and assist the University in achieving its set goals.
The awardees include: Hon. Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, GCON who received Doctor of Laws (LL.D), Mallam Adamu Mu'azzam Fika, Wazirin Fika received Doctor of Letters (D.Litt), Amina J. Umar, Deputy Secretary General, United Nations who also received Doctor of Laws (,LL.D) and Amb. Arikana Chihombori Quao earned Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) respectively.
Speaking on behalf of the other awardees, Justice Uwais who joined the ceremony virtually expressed their appreciation to the management of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for deeming them worthy of the award through their little contributions to the development of education and humanity as a whole. He said they were very much aware of the responsibilities that come with the award, saying; "we know this is a call to do more and surely, will put in more effort. Education is a necessity, therefore, we cannot afford to relent on the activities for its development."
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Kabiru Bala sent his salutations to the management, staff, students, the university community and well-meaning individuals who have been instrumental for the effective running of the University so far.
The Vice Chancellor presented a total number of 25,432 graduating students, out of which 647 bagged PhD, 5,167 masters, 11,916 Bachelor degrees, among others.
He revealed that from 11,916 graduands with Bachelor degrees, 182 garnered First Class degrees, 3,902 earned Second Class Upper degrees, as 7,702 went home with Second Class Lower division, among other unclassified degrees.
He added that in the last one year, the university has recorded a lot of achievements among which include: the improvement in the research activities, community service, and the new academic policies that include resit exams to save the time and resources of the students, parents and/or guardians.
Prof. decried the hindrances that short staffing is causing the university as a result of resignation, retirement, transfer of service of staff of the University without equivalent replacement.
He appealed (particularly) to the management and staff of the institution to keep faith with the system, while urging the students, parents/guardians, relevant authorities and well-meaning individuals to continue to give their unwavering support for the greater development of the University.
As part of the activities of the convocation, the Deans of Faculties of Administration, Agriculture, Art, Business School, College of Medical Sciences, Education, Engineering, Environmental Design, Law, Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and the Director of Postgraduate School presented their respective graduands to the Chancellor for official bestowing of their degrees.
The occasion also witnessed the induction of graduands into the alumni by its chairman, Mamma Kontagora.
On his part, the President and Commander In Chief Of Arm Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated the management, staff and students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on the occasion of the 43rd convocation.
The President who was ably represented by the minister of education, Professor Tahir Mamman said the Federal Government is committed to transform the education system in Nigeria to a global standard through quality teaching and learning.
"ABU is known to be a citadel of research in medicine, engineering and humanity generally, I urge you to maintain the trend. We will set the Nigeria education system into a global standard, but the government cannot do it alone. Therefore, I call on the alumni of Ahmadu Bello University to complement the efforts of the government by giving back to the institution in human and infrastructural development for sustainability.
I urged the university management to develop cordial relationships with the host community(ies) so as to enjoy a serene environment," the president said.
The President also promised the university management that a new governing council of the University will soon be put in place for effective running of the school.
Some of the Heads of Departments, and Representatives who spoke to our reporter, Dr. Adama Adamu of Mass Communication Department, Dr. Ladan Sahanu from Business Administration, and others congratulated the graduands and wished them all the very best in their next phase of life.
They advised the young graduands to utilize the knowledge they have acquired judiciously, and to shun all forms of criminality, drug abuse and other illicit activities that could hinder their progress in life. They also charged the media to do more in sensitizing the youth on the dangers of drug or substance abuse and criminal activities.
Some of the graduating students interviewed by ABU Campus Press expressed their happiness for witnessing such a great day in their life. They also expressed their readiness for the future ahead of them.
The best graduand, Abu Huraira Mahadi from the department of Computer Science said he had no much to say than "Alhamdulillah" as his little efforts were crowned by the almighty God. Huraira graduated with a CGPA of 4.95 to emerge the overall best graduating student of the University this year.
Some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion were governors of Zamfara and Kaduna states, Senator Uba Sani and Dauda Lawal Dare, Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali and former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, among others.
Earlier, the former governor of Cross River and guest lecturer ABU 43rd pre-convocation lecture, Mr Donald Duke (CON) has advised the potential graduating students of the University to be very clear of what they really want to be in life, develop strategies and set timeframe to achieve their goals.
Duke stated this last Friday during the pre-convocation public lecture at the University's main campus in Samaru, Zaria. The public lecture with a theme: This Is Your Time: Set Forth In Confidence And With Haste was graced with a series of dignitaries including the Chancellor of the University, HRM, Nnaemeka Alfred Ogochukwu Achebe (Obi of Onitsha), Dr. Sulaiman Ndanusa (OON) who served as the chairman of the occasion, the Kaduna State governor was ably represented by the state's commissioner for Education, Professor Muhammad Sani Bello (Mainan Zazzau), Mamman Kotangora, the commander of Basawa Barrack, Zaria, among others.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Kabiru Bala said the public lecture is mainly targeted at the young brains who are about to set out to the real world to begin their real life journey. He said the topic of the occasion was coined to provide education and guidance to the young minds.
"The lecture is targeted at young brains who are about to go out into the world in order to kickstart their minds for the journey of life they are about to start. It is very imperative to let them know the opportunities available out there but for those who are ready to grab them through their intelligence," he said.
The chairman of the occasion, Dr. Sulaiman Ndanusa urged the graduating students to challenge their perspectives and excel, adding that the power of critical thinking and self-development can never be overemphasized.
"If you really want to excel, you must go out there and think out of the box."
He charged the youth to do well for themselves but should not also forget their immediate society and the country at large.
In their separate remarks, Professor Maryam Aminu,head of department, Microbiology who is also Dean Faculty of life sciences, ABU, Zaria, Dr. Abdulmumini Abubakar from the faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Shamsudeen Muhammad, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. Rahnatu Lawal, head of department, political science, other heads of departments and Dean's of Faculties urged the graduands to go out there and take over the situation of the country for good. They said the time of the graduating students has come and they should go out there and shine through the knowledge they have acquired. They added the world is economically challenging, however, a lot can still be achieved through hard work and dedication.
One of the graduands, Emmanuel Tehimba from English and Literary studies advised the fellow graduating students to think of what to do for the country instead of what the country will do for them. He advised them to be skillful in order to achieve self-reliance.
The occasion was crowned with the certificate of appreciation presented to the guest lecturer, Dr. Donald Duke, and the chairman of the occasion, Dr. Sulaiman Ndanusa.
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