FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CALLS FOR IMPACTFUL RESEARCH AS FUTA GRADUATES 6,085 The Federal government has called on Nigerian Universities to be committed to and embark on more relevant and impactful research that will solve the immediate technological, economic, social, educational and health needs of the country. President Goodluck Jonathan who is the Visitor to the Federal University of Technology, Akure made this call at the combined 25th and 26th Convocation Ceremonies for 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 sessions held at the New Auditorium of the University on December 19&20, 2014. Dr. Jonathan who was represented by Professor Peter Azikwe Onwualu of the National Universities Commission said, “Universities play critical roles in the attainment of societal growth and national transformation. I wish to state unequivocally that the expectation of government and the Nigerian public is for FUTA to continue to be a model for other Universities in terms of the quality and uniqueness of its classrooms, libraries, laboratories and students’ hostels. All these create the ambience for a good teaching and learning environment, which altogether play significant roles in the teaching and learning process”. The President also commended the leadership of the University for doing a good job. “Let me commend the leadership of the University, under Professor Adebiyi G. Daramola. I have carefully monitored University’s rate of development and transformation in the last three and half years of his assumption of office as Vice-Chancellor. I have noted with keen interest the massive investment in facility, infrastructure upgrade, and a tremendous improvement on teaching and learning environment. I am aware of the current effort towards internationalizing the University, which has led to a number of vibrant collaborations with some American, German and South African Universities involving staff and students’ exchange. I am also not unaware of FUTA’s rise in global ranking, now coming among best 100 Universities in Africa and among the top 10 in Nigeria. I have information that all academic programmes of this University are fully accredited by the National Universities Commission and appropriate professional bodies,” the President declared. To the graduands, President Jonathan said “I have no doubt that you have been sufficiently equipped with the knowledge and capacity to meet the challenges of contributing to the development and growth of our dear nation. I hope you will defend your certification in learning and character through continued hard work, increased focus, patriotic citizenship and unalloyed commitment to national unity, peace and progress”. In his address, the Chancellor, HRH, Alhaji (Dr.) Isa Mustafa, Agwai I, Emir of Lafia reaffirmed FUTA’s status as a leading University saying “I am proud to say that you are one of the luckiest Nigerian graduates who attended a University with world-class academics, very rich academic curricula and of course, the best University of Technology in Nigeria. The Chancellor also urged the graduands to march into the society with the virtues FUTA has imparted in them and make great impact and positive influence on the Nigerian public. He told them to be entrepreneurial and creative by tapping into the vast national endowments and economic resources Nigeria is blessed with. Addressing the graduands, the Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Mohammed Shata implored them to use their new status and the skill acquired to bring about the transformation of Nigeria’s technological, political, social, economic and educational systems. “Do not allow your knowledge and training to be wasted. In whatever situations you find yourselves, I charge you to be proactive alumni and excellent ambassadors of great FUTA. Go with the spirit of our motto “Technology for Self Reliance” and try to create jobs for yourselves and also employers of labour”. In his convocation address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola appreciated the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of education by releasing funds under the NEEDS assessment initiative. He pledged a prudent and judicious utilization of the funds. Professor Daramola charged the graduands to remain worthy ambassadors of FUTA and always remember to contribute their quotas to the development of the University. Commending the Council, staff and students of FUTA he said “The modest success FUTA has achieved over the years is possible because of clear vision and excellent team work. Management, staff and students work as a team for common purpose under the purposeful direction of the Governing Council with Dr. Mohammed Shata leading. At the Convocation 2,095 graduated from the 2012/2013 session with 17 in First Class, while 2,229 graduated from the 2013/2014 session with 35 in First Class. 1,761 were conferred with the Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees. Obinna Michael Okpara of the Department of Bio Chemistry emerged the overall best student and gave the valedictory speech on behalf of other graduands. A major high point of the grand finale was the conferment of the institution’s honorary doctorate degrees on Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) and Alhaji Bashari Aminu, Chairman Board of Directors of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency for their contributions to national development.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 14:50:04 +0000
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