By Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
K wara State University will issue first class certificates to 30 students in the sixth convocation ceremony of the University, taking place today.
Speaking at the pre-6th convocation press conference of the university held at Malete, the Vice Chancellor, Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, disclosed that the University would for the first time in the nine years of its establishment would also produce five PhD holders.
Professor Na’Allah added that the University was graduating 1,126 students this year, while out of this number, 522 students would graduate with second class upper degree, 583 with second class degree lower division and 60 graduated with third- class degree.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the institution had been strengthened with the introduction of more academic programmes that would have direct impact on the students and the society, stating that all the courses had also been approved by the National Universities Commission.
He also said that the university would, for the first time, confer doctorate honorary degree on three distinguished Africans for their contributions to humanity and services to the African continent.
The honourees, according to him, are former President of South Africa, Mr. Tambo Mbeki, the founder of Guarantee Trust Bank, Mr. Tajudeen Fola Adeola and a popular Ilorin poet and Dadakuada singer, Alhaji Jaiyigbade Alao.
While speaking on the choice of the three honourees, Professor Na’Allah said Mr. Mbeki who took over from Nelson Mandela as South African President contributed immensely to the growth of African nation, especially in reshaping and transforming of the Organisation of African Union (OAU) to African Union (AU), saying that he would be conferred with honorary doctorate degree in Political Science.
He added that the founder of Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. Tajudeen Fola Adeola was chosen as an entrepreneur and for its investment in the banking sector, especially in the establishment of GTB in 1999 and for helping the country finetune Nigeria Pension Scheme, adding that he would be conferred with honorary doctorate degree in Entrepreneurship.
Professor Na’Allah explained that the King Artist and Dadakuada singer, Alhaji Jayigbade Alao would be conferred with honorary doctorate degree in Literature for his contributions to poetry development, describing him as one of the best African poets.
On the University Radio and Television Stations, Professor Na’Allah disclosed that the University had procured all the necessary equipment and facilities for the smooth take off of the stations, but was awaiting Presidential approval for the release of license for their take off.
The vice chancellor who however appealed to the federal government to give accelerated approval of the license, said the radio station was community-based, aimed at reaching out to the grassroot and serve as training ground for Mass Communication students of the University.
