A total of 4,855 graduands of the Delta State University, Abraka, were on Saturday, at the 15th convocation ceremony of the institution, admitted to Diploma, First and Post Graduate degrees, having been found worthy in character and learning.
58 graduated with First Class Honours, with Obuseh Emmanuel Ewere of the Faculty of Engineering emerging as the overall best graduating student with a C.G.P.A of 4.91.
1396 graduands had Second Class Honours (Upper Division), 1827 Second Class Honours (Lower Division), 417 Third Class, 44 Unclassified (MBBS), 77 Unclassified (B. Pharm) while 416 were in the Diploma category.
Also 58 bagged Doctor of Philosophy (P. had), 339 Degree of Masters, and 199 Postgraduate Diploma.
Addressing the graduands, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, said the convocation; the second in his tenure, marked the institution’s return to the culture and tradition of annual convocation ceremony, which was disrupted in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While congratulating the graduands on the accomplishment of their academic laurels, Prof Egwunyenga stated that the occasion was not only a final rite, but also the beginning of another that would see the graduands proceeding to other endeavours that would open other new opportunities for them.
He thanked the State Governor and Visitor of the University, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, for his unending support and assistance to the institution, as well as the Governing Council, the Senate, Congregation, staff and students of the University for their untiring efforts at moving the institution to greater heights.
Earlier, the Chairman, Governing Council of the University, Prof Sam Oyovbaire, commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof Andy Egwunyenga, for his skill and integrity in the administration and management of the institution with impressive results in academic and administrative stability, for which the DELSU had become proverbial in the comity of Universities in Nigeria.
Prof Oyovbaire joined the VC in thanking the Governor and Visitor of the University for his role in ensuring stability in the institution’s academic calendar and used the opportunity to urge him to harmonize the University’s three separate laws to enhance the smooth running and wholesome development of the institution.
In his valedictory remarks, the State Governor and Visitor of the University, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, congratulated the graduands and commended the Governing Council, Senate, management and staff of the University for taking full advantage of the conducive teaching and learning environment of the institution to record academic achievements, which had improved the ranking of the University locally and internationally.
Senator Okowa, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibuogwu, noted that the convocation would be the last he would be attending as Visitor of the University, but placed on record the unwavering commitment of his outgoing administration to making DELSU one of the best state-owned Universities in Nigeria.
The ceremony featured the presentation of prizes to the best graduating students from the various faculties and goodwill messages from sister institutions.
