Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Emmanuel Nwanze who disclosed this yesterday in Benin at a pre-convocation press conference, said the theme of the convocation lecture: “FOCUS ON OUR ENVIRONMENT”, would be delivered by a renowned environmentalist,” Prof. Mike Elliot of the University of Hull in the United Kingdom.

“As one of the first generation universities in Nigeria and the pre-eminent University in the Niger Delta, we seize the initiative to draw focus to our environment in a positive critique".

“While praising the Federal Government and many others agencies for their efforts so far, we opine that we should further represent the issues from the perspective of their global relevance given the interrelatedness with global warming,” he said.

Besides, he announced that over 17,695 graduands would be awarded various diplomas and degrees during the ceremony.

A breakdown of the graduands indicated that 112 bagged First Class degrees, 2,491 Second Class (Upper Division), 8,166 Second Class (Lower Division), 1,794 (Third class), 48 (pass degrees) 2,889 (Diplomas), 1036 (Masters), Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.) –– 69, among others.

Also, two prominent Nigerians, Chief Newton Jibunoh, the international environmental crusader, who made history by crossing the Sahara desert on road seven times to draw global attention to the serious threat of desertification in Africa and Sir, Victor Uwaifo, an acclaimed music maestro would be conferred with Honorary Degrees of the University.

He noted that the University of Benin has become the most sort after by candidates for admission, disclosing that of the over one million candidates that sat for the last Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Examination (JAMB), over 80,000 chose UNIBEN as their first choice.

Prof. Nwanzi however regretted that out of the 30,000 candidates that passed the University Post University Matriculation screening exercise, only about 5,300 were offered admission in line with the directive of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The Vice-Chancellor who would be leaving office in February 2009 said one of the greatest achievements of his administration was the keeping of the University’’s academic calendar running for four sessions without closure arising from internal crisis.

He praised the maturity of the students, the teaching and non-teaching state of the institution for this achievement.

Write Comment
Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Title:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments

Comments (1)