From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Vice Chancellor of Salem University, Lokoja, Professor Johnson Alewo Akubo has charged new graduands of the institution to be good Ambassadors of their Alma mater as they go into the wider world.
The VC gave the charge in a speech delivered at the combined convocation ceremony for the graduating students of 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions, held at the University Campus in Lokoja on Friday.
” I charge you all to strive to imbibe the letter and spirit of the University’s, core values of Goodness, Confidence, Accountability, Integrity, Mental empowerment, Diligence and Resourcefulness, sense of priority and synergy”
Professor Akubo congratulated the graduands on their well deserved academic programmes wich they have finally ended up in flying colours.
He disclosed that a total of twelve first degree academic programmes offered in the University have received full accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC)
“They are Bachelor of Science Degrees (Bsc) in Business Administration, Mass Communication, Geology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Information Technology,(B Ed) Business Education, Education Computer Science, Education English, Education Management and Education Social Studies
“The five existing Post Graduate Programmes runned in the University have also received full accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC)”
He further disclosed that out of the total number of 499 graduands, 41 of them bagged first class degrees.
According to the Vice Chancellor “Salem University is the first Private University in the North Central, Nigeria, and has continued to pay its dues over years. Salem University has succeeded in raising Global Leaders across all segments of the Nigerian society in addition to creation of jobs for the indigenes of Kogi state and beyond”
He then, called on the Kogi state government, corporate Organizations and public spirited individuals to join hands in partnering with Salem University.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi state while speaking at the ceremony, described education as key to socioeconomic development of any society world over assuring that his administration would leave no stone unturned in providing enabling environment and support to the education sector.
Ododo who was represented by the Kogi State’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wemi Jones, assured that the present government would not relent in providing necessary ingredients that would boost quality education at all levels.
“Our focus is on revamping basic education in order to ensure that our children are equipped with solid foundation for their educational pursuit
“Government will sustain the prevailing free education policy in Kogi state. We have been paying all external examinations fees for our children in both primary and secondary school levels. We have already commenced payment of bursary allowances to Kogi indigenes in tertiary institutions across the country as well as payment of fees of students in law schools.
“The present government is also focusing on reducing the rate of out of school children in the state as well as installing all round education ranging from academic to vocational education” Ododo disclosed.
