The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, has said that private universities’ stable academic calendar has justified the quest for the creation of more private varsities in Nigeria, as the quality of graduates they produced yearly speaks to that fact.

“Out of the 1,000 graduates who were successful in the Federal Government Scholarship scheme for further studies, 10 of those scholars are from one private school,” Okojie said.

Okojie, in his speech read by Professor Akaneren Essien at the Caleb University’s second convocation ceremony where eight out of  231 graduates made First Class Honours, commended private universities for sustaining stable academic calendar which has redeemed our nation’s image in the comity of nations where their academic calendar is never stable.

Prof Okojie, NUC Executive Secretary

“Though the demand for private varsities licenses have continue to increase, their owners have continue to justify their investment and the National Universities Commission,” he said.

Okojie who also charged the university to do more in the area of manpower development in order to assist in driving the much desired economic growth of the country, said private varsities have been contributing to the development of the education sector.

Speaking in the same vein, the Vice Chancellor, Caleb University, Professor Ayodeji Olukoju, said: “Every first class awarded here is earned and comparable with those awarded by credible universities anywhere else in the world. Proof of this claim is that Mr. Eric Tope Bakare, our pioneer best graduating student, validated our first class honours degree by coming first in the entrance examination into the MSc Chemistry class at the University of Ibadan.

“That four of the eight First Class graduands are females underscores the fact that, at Caleb University, everyone has a fair chance of fulfilling their dreams irrespective of gender or other considerations.

“Indeed, we can claim that this is where focused young minds are nurtured to achieve their full potentials and that the female students also stand the best chance of being their best by studying with us.”

Olukoju who challenged graduand to apply their knowledge to the transformation of the world said: “ As you aspire, you will perspire before you can acquire as it is only the truly outstanding in character and learning – the six-o’-clock people – that will rule the roost.”

The VC disclosed that all the graduating students will be issued their certificates same day  to enable them secure whatever they deserve at the appropriate time, such as employment and admission for further studies.

Speaking on ‘From Imota to Immortality’ Olukoju noted that Caleb University has developed from zero per cent to 100 per cent.

According to him, during the 2012 calendar year, out of the 13 programmes presented to NUC for accredidation, 12 obtained full accreditation, with only one programme accorded interim accreditation.

“I am glad to report that the deficiency that cost us full accreditation in that programme has been rectified with the appointment of a full-time Professor, who also doubles as Head of Department.”

He also pointed out that , in December 2012, the NUC granted Caleb permission to commence postgraduate studies with the take-off of the College of Postgraduate Studies in March.

The University has commenced the process of admitting students into the MSc programme in Architecture.