President Mohammadu Buhari, House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajiamila, Plateau Governor, Simon Bako Lalong and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Nuhu Bamali were among many high-profile personalities that rained encomiums on the University of Jos during the institution’s 33rd and 34th combined Convocation ceremony.
The event which took place on Saturday, May 13th, 2023, at the Faculty of Social Sciences Auditorium of the university was also to mark the investiture of the Chancellor, Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, as well as the conferment of Masters, PH. D and honorary degrees.
President Buhari represented by Chairman, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed who was Visitor at the university said the achievements recorded by his administration in the educational sector indicates his commitment to producing human capital development.
He said his administration has funded and invested heavily in tertiary education in its 8-years of existence due to its importance to national development.
“My administration has a liberal policy of education which allows universities to choose their programmes, patterns and local peculiarities”, Buhari said.
While urging the graduands to go and impact the society with their newly acquired knowledge, he commended UniJos for its growing infrastructural development, academic performance and increase in student population including excellent performance in Medicine, and other courses.
Speaking at the forum, Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong congratulated all graduands for attaining the great feat, stressing further that there is no doubt that the products of the university will excel in their future endeavours.
He commended the university for making a name in the country and attracting the rating of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to be listed among top universities. And added that the new Chancellor and Emir of Zazzau has the capacity to play his part to develop the university.
“UniJos is flourishing, wherever you go all over the world, the products of this university are just progressing”, the governor added.
Also speaking at the convocation, Chancellor of UniJos, and Emir of Zazzau, Nuhu Bamalli said the institution has produced many graduates that are excelling within and outside the country.
Bamalli congratulated President Buhari for his commitment to the development of the university, and Governor Lalong for supporting the university to excel, urging the incoming governor of the state to continue with the great works.
The Emir gave the assurance that he will continue to build the capacity of the university across national and international lines to promote cross cultural exchange, even as he commended the university alumni for supporting the institution with library facilities and training of researchers.
“With the quality of graduands produced in the university, I believe you will contribute to the growth of the nation as you live according to the motto of the institution,” he pointed.
Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajiamila represented by member representing Pankshin, Kanke, Kanam Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi pledged to continue to support the university to grow to higher heights.
He stated that the university has made a name among universities within and outside the country in the area of research and academic excellence.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, in his remarks praised the Chancellor for his commitment to the institution.
While praising TETFund, Fidelity Bank, and other donors for supporting the university, he disclosed that the last Convocation took place 4 years ago in 2019. He disclosed that graduations were delayed due to challenges of Covid-19 and the industrial action by ASUU.
He said the NUC has done so much to keep the institution afloat, adding that the graduands represent 159 PhDs, 3,669 Masters among others of which 112 were able to secure first class degrees from the various departments.
He congratulated a 69-year-old student who came out tops of his class alongside two prominent Nigerians, Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, and Prof. Elyas Bogoro who were awarded honorary degrees for their input to the society.
The VC described the university as being among the top 10 institutions with high accreditation rates assuring that in a number of months, other faculties will be created.
“The university has 45,000 undergraduate students, 69 out of 75 courses have full accreditation status, and the institution has a reputation for having both global and national presence, as well as being the first to create DNA on Covid-19”, the VC added.
He however called on the Federal Government to review the current funding model of the universities and scrape the IPPIS system which he said is not sufficient in addressing the institution’s numerous financial challenges.
There was a rollcall of goodwill messages from Vice Chancellors of Nasarawa State University, Bauchi State University, ABU Zaria, University of Abuja, Plateau State, University Bokkos, Karl Kumm University, Bingham University, Federal University Wukari, Federal University of Kashere, Federal University Lafia, University of Calabar, ANAN University Kwall, College of Agriculture, Science and technology Keffi, Nasarawa state, among numerous institutions across the country.
Expressing their appreciation on behalf of the Honorary degree recipients, former TETFund boss, Prof. Elayas Bogoro listed the achievements of the institution, during his tenure.
He described Ambassador Yahaya Kwande as an upright Nigerian with clean records at 94, appreciating the gesture from the university that has given them such a great recognition.
“I am happy that as Executive Secretary of TETFund, I was able to do a lot of things in many institutions across the country including UniJos”, he said.
Bogoro tasked all leaders, and Nigerians to imbibe non-tribal, non-ethnic virtues to their job to make the country develop in educational, infrastructural, and other spheres of life.
Earlier, Registrar of the University, Dr. Rejoice Sondyen and Prof Christopher Okpe on behalf of Chairman, Governing Council of the University performed the rites of oath of office, presentation of University Laws, and investiture ceremony of the Emir of Zazzau as the 8th Chancellor of the University.
After reading his citation, they conferred on the Emir of Zazzau an honorary Doctor of Law degree.
