20 Bag First Class As UNIPORT Graduates 8,585 …Two Journalists Get PhD

Twenty graduands will receive the prestigious first class grade at the 29th Convocation ceremony of the University of Port Harcourt, billed to hold Saturday.

Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Joseph Ajienka made the disclosure on Monday at the convocation press briefing held at the university’s governing council hall.

Prof Ajienka stated that a total of 5,207 graduands would receive first degrees, 1,581 graduands would be awarded the master’s degree in various areas of specialisation, while a total of 149 candidates would be conferred with the Doctor of Philosophy degree in diverse fields of study.

According to the VC, a total of 1,648 students would also receive the university’s certificates from 12 departments in the Faculties of Humanities and Education, out of which 461 scored distinction,  649 scored credit, 350 scored merit, while 188 obtained pass grades summing up to 8,585 graduands.

Highlights of the 29th convocation would be the conferment of Honorary Degrees on three distinguished Nigerians, amongst whom is the business Mongul and philanthropist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Alhaji Dangote, adjudged the richest man in Africa, will be conferred with Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa.

Others to be honoured with Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa are Emeritus Professor Tekena Tamuno, ace historian, educationist and Elder statesman, President of the International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF), Dr Lamine Diack who is based in Monaco as well as notable patron of the Art, Prince Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon.

The VC remarked that the honour was in recognition of their immense contributions to the advancement of humanity in their chosen areas of expertise.

The VC, who gave a run down of activities lined up for the ceremony, said Tuesday marks Class Day in which the best graduating student will teach and also perform statutory ‘Tree Planting” exercise on behalf of the graduating set; today is the founder’s day while 29th Convocation lecture comes up tomorrow.

Climax of the event would be Saturday when the convocation ceremony proper takes place.

According to the VC, the university Senate has approved restructuring of the former Faculty of Science  to a new College of Natural and Applied Sciences with three faculties.

Amongst several constraints confronting the institution, he said, was the difficulty faced by the university in accessing land acquired by the federal government for establishment of the institution in 1975.

He said the situation had worsened and was currently stalling infrastructural development. “As I address you, the university is compelled to enter into hard bargaining process with relevant host communities for every metre of land that is earmarked for development purposes”, he stressed, adding that UNIPORT was also compelled to pay for economic trees and cash crops on  such lands before taking possession.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has congratulated two of its illustrious members, Alpheaus Paul-Worika and Enale Kodu, who will be conferred with academic doctorate degrees at the convocation ceremony of the University of Port Harcourt, this Saturday.

Alpheaus Paul-Worika is bagging Ph.D degree in Philosophy while Enale Kodu will be awarded Ph.D in Communication Studies.

The NUJ, in a statement signed by its state chairman, Mr Opaka Dokubo and the state Secretary, Mr Stanley Job Stanley, described the feat recorded by the two journalists as not only monumental but phenomenal, which no doubt has brought great honour and pride to their families and the NUJ.

In another development, journalists in the state will this Sunday worship at the Royal House of Grace Church, Rumueme, Port Harcourt to rededicate the NUJ, Rivers State Council to God and also thank Him for His grace upon the lives of journalists in the state.

Chris Oluoh

Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi administering polio vaccine on a baby at the flag-off of the Kick Polio out of Nigeria campaign in Degema, Rivers State, yesterday.