45th UNN CONVOCATION: Read Full Text Of PROFESSOR BENJAMIN CHUKWUMA OZUMBA At The Opening Ceremony

AN   ADDRESS    BY   THE    VICE-CHANCELLOR,    UNIVERSITY    OF NIGERIA, PROFESSOR BENJAMIN CHUKWUMA OZUMBA, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 45^TH  CONVOCATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, FEBRUARY 15^TH  2016, AT THE MAIN HALL, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA,  ENUGU CAMPUS.

Protocol:

I am most delighted to welcome you to the Flag-off ceremony of the 45^th Convocation of the University of Nigeria. Today's event is the first in the series of activities lined-up to celebrate the graduation of another set of young Nigerians who have been equipped by our great University to advance the course of humanity and contribute to the growth and development of our country.

May I use this opportunity to give you a rundown of other major activities lined up for the Convocation.

*        Art  Exhibition   at  Nnamdl   Azikiwe   Library,   University   of Nigeria,
Nsukka, by I l:00am on Tuesday, February 16, 2016

*        Convocation Debate on the Topic:    University Education should be
‘Skill Based^’ rather than ‘Cognitive Driven’ at Princess Alexandra Auditorium & Unity Hall, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, by 1l:00am on Wednesday, February 17, 20l6.

*        45^th Convocation Lecture to be delivered by one of Our distinguished
alumni-  Dr.   Emmanuel   Ibe  Kachikwu, Hon.   Minister Of State  for
Petroleum Resources on Thursday, February I8, 2016.   

The topic is: 'The Petroleum Industry and the Future of the Nigerian Nation' at Princess   Alexandra  Auditorium,   University   of Nigeria, Nsukka By 11.00am.

*        Conferment of First Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates at Margaret Ekpo
Convocation Arena, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, by 9:00am on Friday,
February 19,2016.

          *        Conferment   of   Postgraduate   Diplomas,   Higher   Degrees,   Title   of
          Professor Emeritus and Award of Honourary Degrees at Margaret Ekpo
         Convocation Arena, University  of Nigeria, Nsukka,  by   10:00am on
          Saturday, February 20, 2016.

You are cordially invited to the ceremonies as scheduled:

Distinguished gentlemen of the press, since the maiden convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria in 1963, we have been consistent in training graduates who have made their marks in their chosen fields within and outside Nigeria.

In our 45^th Convocation, the University of Nigeria will award over 13, 554 first degree and diploma certificates to deserving young men and women who had been found worthy in character and in learning, Breakdown of the figure according to class of the degrees and certificates include:

First Class Honours                                                                 85

Second Class Honours (Upper Division)                                  3,040

Second Class Honours (Lower Division)                                 7,286

Third Class Honours                                                                 2,237

Pass                                                                                            257

Diploma                                                                                      176

Associateship Certificate in Education                                         4

Meanwhile, we have nominated five distinguished Nigerians for honourary Doctorate Degrees of the University. 
1. The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe; 
2. Former Inspector General of Police. Alhaji Ibrahim Commassie; 3. Ambassador Godwin Alaoma Onyegbula and 
4. Prince Arthur Eze (OFR), would be conferred with the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Adminislration (Honoris Causa), while 
5. Hon. Justice Eze Ozobu would receive Doctor of Philosophy in Law (Honoris Causa).

The honourees were selected based on their altruistic and dedicated services to our country and humanity in their chosen fields of endeavour.

Similarly, we have also listed 19 of our eminent Professors for the title of Professor Emeritus. Those selected had distinguished themselves academically and are still making contributions to knowledge through their publications, inventions and creativity.

Distinguished gentlemen of the press, may I use this opportunity to bring you update on the activities of my administration. When I took over as the Vice-Chancellor of this legacy Institution, in June 2014, our campuses were like abandoned construction sites dotted with stranded projects. I am happy to announce to you that many of the projects have been completed and awaiting commissioning. Some of the completed buildings include: UNESCO category II Biotechnology laboratory building at Nsukka Campus; Faculty of Pharmacy Building (Phase 1) at Nsukka Campus; Facility of Social Sciences Building {Phase 1) at Nsukka Campus. NLNG Engineering Laboratory Building at Nsukka Campus; Renovation of Lady Ibiam Hostel at Enugu Campus; Arthur Mbanefo ICAN Lecture Theatre, Enugu Campus; University main gate, Enugu Campus; still counting. Many of the buildings will be commissioned in the course of our Convocation celebrations.

Other on-going projects are receiving accelerated attention from contractors; many of them are at advanced stages of completion. My administration has equally initiated new projects: some of them are already completed, others are still on-going and many more are in the pipeline.

In the provision of municipal services, we have taken steps to improve the supply of water in our campuses by sinking new boreholes to complement existing ones. I can assure you that the water problem that had bedevilled University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus for years, will soon be a thing of the past.

My administration has recorded more successes than many casual observers will notice. We have set in motion, our distant learning Programme which is meant to boost our academic delivery edacity. With effect from this academic session, examinations on General Studies Courses will be Computer based. You may have heard of our one-laptop Per student policy, which is designed to ensure that our students are ICT compliant before graduation. 21^St Century teaching and learning is ICT based; students of the University of Nigeria cannot afford to miss out.

Distinguished gentlemen of the press, we have continued to motivate our staff to engage in quality research project and publish in reputable journals. Recall that in 2015, we introduced a reward system where staff are given cash rewards, ranging from N10,000.00 to N200,000.00 for their publications in Journals with Thompson Reuters Impact Factor. We also provided the sum of N100, 000 each as seed capital, to over 214 research groups in the University. I am happy to announce to you that our effort have started yielding results: the latest WEBOMETRICS ranking released in January 2016 ranked the University of Nigeria first in Nigeria, 14^th in Africa and among the best 2000 Universities in the world. Our improvement in the global rating is significance to us considering that in the penultimate WEBOMETRICS ranking, the University of Nigeria was ranked 7^th in Nigeria; 82^nd in Africa, and we had no trace in the global rating.

While we are happy with our improved global stature, we are not resting on our Oars. The target of my administration is to ensure that the University of Nigeria,

becomes the best in Africa and among the first 100 in the world. We will soon get there!

Gentlemen of the press, thank you for your favourable media reports on our University, which have helped to enhance our reputation within and outside Nigeria. We are a family, and we will continue to count on your support in the pursuit of our goals.

I also want to thank the University Governing Council; and members of my team-Principal Officers, Deans of Faculty, Directors of Institute and Centre, Heads of academic departments and administrative Units- for their co-operation and dedication to the services of our University. Without you whatever successes we have recorded would have been a mirage. Let us do more!

Finally, I want to thank my staff and students for their support and understanding. They have continued to play major roles in my administration.

 I urge them to sustain the peaceful atmosphere in the University to enable us implement our full development plan.

I wish you all fruitful participation in the 45^th Convocation ceremonies.

Thank You for Your Attention.