Ikpeazu Urges ABSU Graduamds to Look Beyond Certificates

The Abia State Governor and visitor to Abia State
University at Uturu, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has tasked
graduates of the university to look beyond their
certificates and be resourceful to be relevant in society.
Ikpeazu gave the charge while speaking at the 24th
convocation of the institution held at the university
convocation pavilion.

The Governor said the said the era of paper certificate
had ended, arguing that the present times require that
graduates look for avenues to become self reliant instead
of depending on the government for jobs which no longer
exist.


He promised to do his best to meet the needs of the
institution, announcing that he would donate a 40-seater
bus and generator.

Ikpeazu said he would donate the generator to illuminate
the campus at night, encourage students to live on
campus and discourage cultism.

He warned that he would publicise the names of cult
members in all institutions in the state.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor [VC], Prof Uche Ikonne,
announced that the school had gained full accreditation
for Science Laboratory Technology and Computer Science.
Ikonne said a total of 3,561 graduands received first and
higher degrees. Of the 2,956 undergraduate degrees, he
said two had First Class; while the remaining 603 received
post graduate degrees.

Four Abians received honorary awards at the event.
Highlighting some of his achievements, Ikonne said his
administration had recorded some gains fighting cultism.
He noted that the school management and security
agencies were investigating a cult-related incident that
happened near the institutions few weeks ago, adding that
some arrests had been made. He also mentioned that
proprietors of private students’ hostel and traditional rulers
met with the school over measures to check security their
hostels.

As part of the convocation activities, the vice chancellor
said there was a security and anti-cult awareness
programme for students.

Ikonne added that the school management has resolved
that all cadres of workers and students of the school
should swear affidavits that they do not belong to any cult
group.

The VC also said that a special security office has been
set up to be manned by the Commandant of the
Man’O’war where complaints of intimidation or any form
of threat will be reported and investigated.

Regarding academic activities, the VC said that grants by
the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) are being
used to strengthen research activities in the institution.
Already, he said the university has 13 research topics
approved for by the National Universities Commission
(NUC), while it has submitted eight research topic to
TETFund for higher national research activities.

Source: The Nation