Chime commends VC as ESUT graduates 11, 456

ENUGU State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, has commended the Vice Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Professor Cyprian Ogbonna Onyeji, and the school’s governing council for the remarkable transformation the school has witnessed, especially in the last five years.

Chime, who was represented by his deputy, Reverend Ralph Nwonye, at the school’s 16th convocation ceremony, explained that the achievements recorded were especially in the area of general pursuit of academic excellence, infrastructural development and maintenance, rigorous drive for improved funding, staff development and general welfare of staff and students.

A total of 11, 456 graduands from the 2011/2012 and 2012/ 2013 sets were awarded degrees at the event.

In his welcome address, the vice chancellor disclosed that on assumption of office, he came to the conclusion that if the administration must succeed, there was the need to motivate staff members and get them to key into his vision and mission.

Therefore, “A well thought-out and articulated programme designed to tap the strength, improve on the achievements and redress deficiencies in the university was developed. We came up with a six-point agenda encapsulating imaginative strategies aimed at reinventing and repositioning the university to respond effectively to the challenges, which the 21st century has engendered.”

According to the vice chancellor, the achievements recorded by the university do not in any way suggest that the school has reached it full potential.

He said: “ESUT Infrastructure-wise is a work-in- progress. What we have done is to reverse the declining tide and put it on the irreversible path of growth. In other words, the base has been thoroughly solidified. It now requires another round of massive funding to kick- start those projects not yet embarked upon, as contained in the university Master Plan.”

Since the university was far from where it should be financially, and in view of government’s inability to effectively fund tertiary education, he called on the private sector, alumni, friends of the university and well-meaning Nigerians to support the university to enable it realise its set goals.

Highlights of the convocation ceremony was the award
of degrees to the graduating students consisting of 10, 920 first degrees, 109 postgraduate diplomas, 414 masters’ degrees and 15 PhDs.

The ceremony also witnessed the conferment of honorary doctorate degree in Public Administration and Business Administration on Sir David Ogbodo, Nicholas Okoye, Ambassador Ademu Aliyu and Mrs. Ukamaka Anthonia Okoye, the first female to be so honoured by the university.

The convocation was graced by former ministers of Power and Education, professors Barth Nnaji, and Jubril Aminu.