EMMANUEL THOMAS, Tuesday, Nov.06, 2018
UTURU, Abia, Nigeria – Gregory University, Uturu , Abia State has graduated 100 students christened ‘Global Leaders’ during its third Convocation ceremony held at the institution’s main auditorium recently. The 100 Global Leaders released at the institution’s 2018 convocation ceremony were those trained with modern state-of-art teaching aids in line with the university’s culture of ensuring high academic standards.
A close look reveals that out of the 100 graduands, four persons graduated in the first class category, 58 came out with second class upper, 33 made second class lower division, while five came out with passes and third divisions.
The ceremony also witnessed the conferment of Honourary Doctorate Degrees on some distinguished Nigerians who had been specially selected for outstanding contributions to the development of society.
The awardees included the Senator representing Abia north senatorial district at the national assembly, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa ,veteran highlife music maestro and leader of Oriental Brothers International Band, Chief Ferdinand Opara, alias Dan-Satch, Olympic Gold Medalist, Assistant Police Commissioner, Chioma Ajunwa –Opara, President General of Peoples Club of Nigeria, Prof. Innocent Ekeh and the Managing Director of Urban Radio FM, Enugu, Engr. Chike Madueke
Speaking during the Convocation, Chancellor of the University, Prof. Gregory Ibe charged the graduating students to demonstrate the skills and competencies they acquired while studying in the institution anywhere they find themselves .
He also urged the graduating students to always remain the best in whatever they do, saying that they have been thoroughly groomed and equipped with necessary skills and competencies, especially entrepreneurial skills to conquer the world and become the best.
“ I hereby charge you to remember the letters of the line in our school song that says ,’in every quest ,we still remain the best’ “therefore ,as you depart the land of Uturu , where knowledge drops as dew, remember that you have been thoroughly equipped with necessary skills and competencies that will enable you to be the best where you find yourself , go ye into the world and shine forth the light of GUU, so that people may see your good works and the glorify our God in heaven,” he stated.
He further said that the successful completion and release of the third batch of this year’s Global Leaders was happening at the time, Federal Government through National Universities Commission (NUC),reconfirmed the official status of GUU through the handing over of full operational licence of the university to the management .
“This good development gives credence and further added impetus to the management resolve to continue to provide an irresistible academic environment that will aid the production of highly skilled manpower in the country’ he said .
According to him, the management in pursuit of excellent results was not relenting on committing huge resources to massive infrastructural development in several locations of the institution ,including the Temporary Teaching Hospital facilities in Umuahia ,GUU liaison offices in Abuja and Lagos .
He also thanked parents for entrusting their children into the University, saying that their decision to bring their wards into the institution can never be regretted. In his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Augustine Uwakwe stated that the university management is currently working assiduously to ensure the smooth take off of academic activities at the Temporary Teaching Hospital of the University in Umuahia.
“The Temporary Teaching Hospital in Umuahia is almost completed and awaiting commissioning in order to move our clinical student to the location soonest” he said. The Vice Chancellor also announced the take off of the institution’s school of post graduate studies following the approval of National Universities Commission.
”We are pleased to announce that as we speak , GUU Post Graduate studies have commenced in earnest. It means that our graduating scholars have the opportunity of returning after their National Youth Services Corps scheme to start their postgraduate programme without delay” he added .He commended the graduating students for successfully completing their prorammes, despite obvious challenges.
“As you make entrance into the world, be inspired by the letters of our mantra ‘Knowledge for Tomorrow, which imply that all the knowledge you require for conquest and relevance in your tomorrow have been deposited in you. So, learn to draw from the abundant resources which you carry inside “he stated.
Chairman, Board of Trustee of the University, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, while congratulating parents and graduating students called on public spirited individuals to come to Gregory University Uturu and assist in endowing some projects.He also appealed to the Abia State government to assist the university in providing portable water, access roads and electricity.
The BOT chairman also appealed to the Federal Government to extend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFUND facilities to private University in the country, since they are doing wonderful work to reduce capital flight occasioned by traveling oversea for undergraduate studies.
