By Faith Igbudu and Comfort Agbaji
Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FAUM) will on Saturday award honorary degrees in different fields to five prominent personalities during the 23rd – 25th combined convocation of the university.
Amongst those to be awarded the degrees are; the National Leader of All Congressive Congress (APC), Ahmed Bola Tinubu who will be awarded with an honour degree D.Sc (Honoris Causa) Management, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Dr Godwin Emefiele D.Sc (Honoris Causa) Agripreneurship.
Others are the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, D.Sc (Honoris Causa) letters, former Governor of Adamawa State and Director, Sobore farms, Vice- Admiral Murtala Nyako, D.Sc (Honoris Causa) Agribusiness and Group Managing Director Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, D.Sc (Honoris Causa) Marketing
Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Richard Kimbir made this known Wednesday during a press briefing held at the University Council Chambers. He said the decision to honour the selected Nigerians is not political but to enhance the development of the school.
The VC said a total of 8,192 graduands comprising of 7,073 first degrees, and
1019 higher degrees is to be awarded.
He said out of the 1019 higher degrees, 365 have Postgraduate diplomas, 680 have Masters while 68 have earned their PhD degrees.
“The 23rd-25th convocation is unique because it will be the first since I came on board as Vice Chancellor and it covers three number set of graduates. Another significance of this convocation is that five prominent Nigerians will be honoured,” he said.
Prof. Kimbir also noted that 16 projects done under his administration as Vice Chancellor of the university will be commissioned. The projects range from construction of structures for different departments to building and equipping laboratories.
He said although the university has achieved a lot under his watch, it has faced some challenging times. He appealed for stronger partnership from different sectors and personalities to enable the university deliver on its mandate.
“I therefore call on the goverment, Non-Goverment Organizations, individuals to partner and support our drive to reposition the university in line with it’s mission and mandate,” he said.
The VC gave appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Pro Chancellor/Chairman Governing board of FAUM, Prof. Abba Alkasum, for the monumental achievements recorded in the school as well as the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom for his benevolence to the university.
