Waziri Isa Adam (Group Editor-in-chief)
The Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, has made history with a record-breaking convocation ceremony, producing an impressive 551 PhDs and 44 First Class graduates.
The 22nd/24th combined convocation ceremony also saw the conferment of honorary degrees on six distinguished individuals, including Professor Toyin Falola, Senator Gabriel Torwua Suswam, Chief Engineer Sylvanus Ghasarah, Chief Paul Samuel Edeh, Wantaregh Paul Iorpuu Unongo (late) and Lt. Col Joseph Akaahan (late).
The convocation ceremony, which took place on Saturday, was attended by the state’s Governor, who is also the Visitor of the University, along with other dignitaries who included top royal fathers, the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc Sonny Echono, Vice Chancellors and chief executives of different tertiary institutions, and politicians.
In his address, the Governor congratulated the 18, 677 graduands and awardees of the prestigious honorary degrees of the University, commending them to be good ambassadors of the university.
He also commended the university for its strides in academic excellence and pledged his administration’s continued support for the institution.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Tor Joe Iorapuu, revealed in his address that the university graduated 18, 677 students, including 556 PhDs and 44 First Class graduates. He expressed his pride and joy at the achievement, attributing it to the hard work and dedication of the students, staff, and management of the university.
He said the total number of First degree graduands was 16,120, while
total number of PhDs, Masters,and Postgraduate Diplomas were 551, 1825 and 181 respectively.
The convocation ceremony was a moment of celebration for the graduates, their families, and the university community, marking the culmination of years of hard work and academic pursuit.