The University of Nigeria (UNN) has conferred the award of Bachelor degrees on 14,015 students during its 44th convocation ceremony held last Friday at the university’s Margaret Ekpo Convocation Arena, Nsukka campus.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Benjamin Ozumba, said: “It is with delight mixed with radiant joy that I welcome you to today’s event which marked the 44th convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria.
“As an important part of its mission, the University of Nigeria is graduating an avalanche of candidates who have worked very hard to change their status, thereby deserving the degree of this institution.
The number is quite unprecedented. We have a total of 14,015 first degree graduates made up of the following classifications: 85 First Class honours; 3,717 Second Class honours Upper Division; 7,275 Second Class honours Lower Division; 2,294 third class honours and 227 in the Pass category,” Professor Ozumba revealed.
In her valedictory address, the Overall Best Graduating Student from the Department Of Pharmaceutical Science with 4.88 CGPA, Nkiruka Ozioma Ibeanu, said: “I thank God for His divine favour and mercy towards all of us over the past four, five or six years. You would agree with me that the road leading up to this day has not been easy, but by God’s grace we are all gathered here.”
Advising her fellow graduates, Ibeanu said: “As you enter the next phase of your life, expect challenges to come. Although challenges are inevitable, you must not compromise your values in order to fit the expectations of the world.
“You must not allow the trappings of comfort to sway you into forgetting that you are fundamentally a moral being. Always strive to change the world for the better and do not let the world change you for the worse. Create the change you want and become the change you desire,” she advised.
Graduates who were at the event could not hide their excitement. Speaking with Campusbeats, Chinyere Eleanya, a graduate from the Department of Microbiology said: “Graduating from UNN after four years is indeed a great privilege. Although it has not been easy, God helped me to survive, I’m going to miss UNN, the weather, my friends and some of my lecturers.”
“I’m glad that the journey of a thousand miles which started with a step four years ago has ended. Graduating from this school has not been easy; it has been a tough race but I thank God for everything,” said Obianuju Awanye, a graduate from the Department of Mass Communication.
Also speaking, Vivian Chinenye, a graduate from the Department of Theatre and Film Studies said: “It is a thing of joy that after four years, I am a graduate of this institution, I thank God for his favour and mercy over my life in the past four years.”
The annual event which started off with press briefing, music and prize night event, climaxed in the epoch event, convocation ceremony, on Friday.
Festus Iyorah
(University of Nigeria)