Owo (Ondo State)- The Achievers’ University, Owo on Friday held its third convocation for the conferment of honorary degrees, award of first degrees and presentation of prizes.
NAN reports that a total number of 581 students graduated in the 2013/2014 academic session and 31 of them had First Class degrees, 295 had Second Class Upper, 239 got Second Class Lower, while 19 had Third Class.
Prof. Tunji Ibiyemi, the university’s Vice Chancellor, said that the vision of the institution was to be among the best in the world, adding that the graduands should go out and exhibit the knowledge acquired by encouraging themselves to invest their resources in research.
According to him, research must be accorded its rightful place, to reinforce the attainment of Vision 20:20:20.
In his speech, Dr Bode Ayorinde, the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, advised the Federal Government to extend grants meant for infrastructural development in public schools to all private institutions.
He defended his opinion and argued that parents of the students in private schools also paid their taxes, saying that they should also enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Ayorinde added that students in the private schools would also contribute immensely to the Gross Domestic Product of the nation after their graduation.
He, therefore, urged well-meaning Nigerians and Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State to address the plight of those plying the one kilometre road leading to the institution, saying the staff and visitors were worried about the bad state of the road.
Sen. Bode Olajumoke, the Chancellor of the institution, encouraged the graduands to be good ambassadors of of the institution and should also strive to reciprocate their parents’ gesture and financial kindness.
Similarly, Sen. Titus Olupitan, the Visitor to the school, said that the graduands had been trained to imbibe the culture of leadership, as well as academic excellence.
NAN reports that Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), a former president of the Nigeria Bar Association and Mr Gabriel Amuchi, the Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), were honoured with the Doctor of Law (LL.D) and the Doctor of Science (D.Sc), respectively.
Akeredolu, who was honoured for his humanitarian gestures and kindness to humanity, pledged to continue to extend his love to his society and beyond.
Amuchi expressed appreciation for the recognition and promised that FERMA would collaborate with the institution’s Faculty of Engineering in capacity training.
Responding on behalf of the graduands, Miss Stella Oyewumi, said she would serve the nation by saving lives, having trained as a professional in the Medical Lab Sciences.
Another graduand, Mr Abiola Eniola, said he would use his training at the institution to enhance national development. (NAN)
