The Benue State University Makurdi is to award 17925 degrees and diploma certificates to its graduates at the 22nd, 23rd and 24th combined convocation holding on Saturday 7th December, 2024 in Makurdi, Benue State.
The institution will also confer two Posthumus Honorary Doctorate degrees ( Doctor of Letters, D.Litt), Honoris Causa on the late elder statesman, Wanteregh Paul Unongo and Lt Colonel Joseph Akaarhan (Former Chief of Army Staff- May 1967 to May 1968), (Doctor of Law, D.LL) at the ceremony.
The Vice Chancellor( VC) of the University, Prof Tor Iorapuu revealed this at the Pre-Convocation Press briefing held at the Senate Chambers on Thursday.
According to the VC, others to receive Honorary Doctorate degrees are; the former Governor of the state, Senator Gabriel Suswam (Doctor of Laws, D. LL), Professor Toyin Falola (Doctor of Letters, D.Litt), Honoris Causa, Engr. Sylvanus Ghasarah (Doctor of Science, D.SC) Honoris Causa and Chief, Barr. Paul Edeh (Doctor of Law).
He said that a Posthumous Doctorate degree (Doctor of Law, D.LL) will also be awarded to Lt Colonel Joseph Akaarhan (Former Chief of Army Staff- May 1967 to May 1968).
“University will be conferring a total of 17925 degrees and diplomas on graduands in the following categories: Bachelor’s Degrees 15101, Postgraduate Diplomas 72, Master’s Degrees 2196,PhD Degrees 556.”44 of them earned First class and prizes will be awarded to deserving students”, he said.
In his Pre-Convocation Press briefing titled, “Experiencing Radical Change With Resilience And Purpose, the VC further noted that the 22nd, 23rd and 24th Combined Ceremonies of the Benue State University will be the last combined convocation, stating that the visitor of institution has directed that, “going forward, the tradition of convocation as a yearly event must return.
”He commended the National Universities Commission (NUC), which has ensured quality, conducted necessary resource verification and approved programmes for the university.
Prof Iorapuu also said that with the support of NUC, BSU has added new programmes and created four new faculties to the ten existing ones namely,faculties of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Architecture and Media and Communication Studies as well as the faculty of Technology and Industrial Studies.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) under the leadership of Arc Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary, describing the agency as a major collaborator and stakeholder in the sustenance of higher education in Nigeria.He said that more than half of the structures in the university are of TETFund.
“In the last eighteen months, TETFund has expended four billion, two hundred and forty million, two hundred and ninety-nine thousand, four hundred and twenty-seven Naira, thirty kobo (4, 240,299,427.13) only on infrastructure, procurement and maintenance of existing TETFund facilities.
“Meanwhile, three hundred and six million, two hundred and three thousand, three hundred and forty-nine-naira, fifteen kobo (306, 203, 349.15) only was expended on staff training, conference attendance, funding of research and publications in the last eighteen months”, he added.
The VC also appreciated the contributions of the secretariat of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of the Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), Abuja, the Benue State Assembly led by Its Speaker, Rt Hon Aondona Dajoh, for its interventions to de-escalate union-based crises on campus in the last year.
He also acknowledged the support of individuals within and in the diaspora as well as the Media for her positive projection of the institution.
“I am quite impressed with the quality and the outcome of accreditation since my appointment as the Vice Chancellor. BSU had accreditation for 30 programmes since the last convocation. The outcome is 99.9% success. 29 programmes got full accreditation, and one programme got interim”, he said.
Prof Iorapuu appreciated the commitment and dedication of the staff and commended the students who have continued to excel at national competitions.
“Mkorna Paul Ahon and Ameh Innocent Saint of the Faculty of Law recently emerged as winners and runner-ups in the Eyitayo Dada National Lawson Essay Competition. Aondoakaa Ngutor Joseph and Edu Isaac of 400 level Faculty of Law emerged as second runner up at the Leap Africa Youth Leadership Development Programme Debate Competition.
“Agbo Joy Enuwa, another 400-level student of Law, emerged as second runner-up at the National Arbitration Debate Competition, among others.
“Management and Senate have taken a very bold decision that students who are apprehended for examination misconduct, will serve stipulated punishment on campus while still attending lectures. Let me be clear about this that certain offences would earn the student suspension or expulsion if found guilty.
“To this end, the Senate of the University took a bold step and granted amnesty to 103 students who were found guilty of the University Examination regulations and were to be suspended or expelled accordingly”, he maintained.
On new appointments, the VC disclosed that Governor Hyacinth Alia has appointed a new Chancellor, His Royal Highness, Alhaji, Dr Najib Hussaini Adamu, the 10th Emir of Kazaure, Kazaure Emirate, to replace King (Barr) Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel II, Owukori IX, Amanyanabo of Abonnema.
He said the governor has also appointed the 7th Governing Council Chaired by Sir Paul Chukwuma while Council has approved the appointment of Mr Barnabas Hemba as the new Registrar of the university.
The Voice reports that journalists were taken on a tour of major facilities in the university, such as the Centre for Food Technology and Innovation Complex (CEFTIC) and TETFund Disaster Recovery /Rehabilitation University Water Works as well as TETFund 144-bed space Hostel University Innovation Pod (UNIPOD), among others.
