UNIBEN Graduates 20,630 In Combined Convocation, 385 Earn First Class

By Ayodele Oni

The Vice-Chancellor, (VC)  University of Benin, (UNIBEN), Prof. Lilian Salami has announced that 385 undergraduates are to earn First Class Honours during its combined 49th/50th convocation scheduled for between Wednesday and Saturday.

The VC announced this on Monday in Benin during a news conference to herald the convocation ceremony, which is expected to produce a total of 20,630 graduates for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 sessions.

She said the award of first degrees would hold on Wednesday while that of higher degrees would come up on Saturday.

Prof Salami, said out of the numbers, 10,609 graduated for 2021/2022 session while 10,021 graduated for 2022/2023 session.

She also announced conferment of professors Emeritus on seven distinguished academics as well on the university’s honourary degrees on three Nigerian personalities.

“It is gratifying to state that the university of Benin continues to beam its searchlight internally and nationwide to identify and honour distinguished personalities found worthy to be conferred with the recognition as Professors Emeritus and Honorary Doctorate Degrees.

“Seven distinguished Professors have been approved by the Senate of the University to be recipients of the honour of Professors Emeritus at this year’s convocation.”

The recipients of honourary degrees, according to her, include Chief Leemon Ikpea, an Oil, Gas and construction company magnate, who would be conferred with Doctor of Business Administration.

She said Dr Kingsley Momodu; an alumnus and renowned dentist, would be conferred with Doctor of Science and a foremost entrepreneur and Chairman, VESA Fisheries, Mrs Veronica Igbe, would tbe honoured with Doctor of Business Administration.

Salami, who said the convocation ceremony would be her last as the vice-chancellor of the school, recounted her achievements throughout the five year tenure at the ivory tower.

She said the milestone achievements included establishment of Information Communications Technology/Central Research Processing Unit (ICT/CRPU) and Centre For Educational Technology (CET)

“Management of the University has not relented in the efforts to re-position the Institution in the top hierarchy of Institutions of global reckoning.

“In this regard, the University has acquired over 100 additional desktop computers for computer-based examinations for the ICT Centre and 200 Desk-tops and lap-top computers distributed across departments and units to facilitate cutting-edge technology-driven assignments.

“These are aided by the provision of internet services, some of which are undertaken directly by many of the faculties.

“The ICT Unit, in the Vice Chancellor’s Office, now successfully deploys electronic voting in any election for which such mode is required.”