From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

No fewer than 41 Students out of the total number of 1,863 bagged first class degree at the 8th convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Lokoja

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, disclosed this in his speech at the 8th convocation ceremony held at the Felele main Campus of the institution in Lokoja at the weekend.

He said that 461 students were conferred with Second Class Upper and 974 got Second Class Lower while 384 students bagged Third Class and 3 students were awarded Pass Degree.

Professor Olayemi Akinwumi also announced that a total of 117 students were awarded Diploma and 216 with postgraduate degrees: Ph.

He said that within his short period in office, the university had embarked on a landmark Collaboration with Rural Electrification Agency to provide reliable power generation via renewal energy solutions such as installation of campus-wide street lighting and establishment of renewable energy training centres.

The Vice Chancellor also announced that Federal University, Lokoja under his administration established the first-ever Zoo and Conservatory in Kogi state to serve not only as a significant hub for research and education but also provide a unique platform for community engagement and environmental conservation.

“It is worth noting that prior to my assumption of office in 2021, only two inaugural lectures were held at our university but now I am proud to share that we have successfully conducted a total of twenty-two inaugural lectures since then.

“In our commitment to fostering engagement with critical societal issues, we have prioritised public lectures as the cornerstone of our mission at FUL. Since our last convocation, we have successfully organized six impactful public lectures that have addressed a variety of important topics” Professor Olayemi Akinwumi further disclosed.

No fewer than 10 graduates of Kings University, Ode-Omu, Osun, bagged first class degree as the institution held its 5th and 6th convocation ceremony on Friday.

Prof. Adenike Kuku, the Vice-Chancellor of the university in her remarks, said that the convocation was for thr 2023/2024 set christened “Royal and Elites Sets”.

Kuku said that the 2023 sets comprises of 37 graduands, while the 2024 sets had 66 graduands.

According to her, Bright Ayomide of 2023 sets had the highest CGPA of 4.

She said that in the 2024 sets, Utibe-Ubon Emmanuella of the department of political science/humanities, management and social sciences was the best overall best student with 4.

Kuku urged the graduands to put the knowledge acquired from the university into practice and impact the society positively through diligence and handwork.

Mr John Obaro, the CEO/Group Managing Director, System Specs Limited, who delivered the convocation lecture, urged the graduands to embrace digital technology to excel in their areas of endeavours.

Obaro spoke on the theme “Navigating the Digital Era: Embracing Creativity and Unlocking the Boundaries of Technology”.

He also urged them to be creative, unique and find areas of solving problems, which the world was facing through technology and digital innovations.

“Now is the time for you to build on the foundations laid by past innovations.

“Just as the wheel, writing, and the internet transformed society, the innovations of yesterday become the standard features of today.

“As you stand on the threshold of this new era, it is your moment to unleash your own innovations”, he said.

He also urged the graduands to develop digital skills, foster growth mindset, exploit transformative technologies and be value driven.

Obaro was, thereafter, conferred with Honourary Doctor of Science.

In his remarks, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, the Chancellor and Founder of the university, urged the graduands to be creative and explore areas of entrepreneurship to stand out.

Ashimolowo, the senior pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) also urged them to be solution providers.

According to him, the notion of chasing one’s passion is no longer reasonable in a world where employers are looking for problem solvers.

Ashimolowo said that in Nigeria and the world over, there were serious graduates who were unemployed.

He charged them to pursue self development, be creative, original and be sensitive to problem solving. (NAN)

Some partially blind students on Thursday, expressed excitement after seeing the whiteboard and their teachers clearer for the first time in years.

The students were among 115 children that benefited from free eye care outreach, organised by Women and Girls with Albinism Network in Abuja, to commemorate the 2024 World Sight Day.

The outreach, organised in collaboration with the Public Health Department, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), was sponsored by CBM Global Disability Inclusion.

Among the beneficiaries were students from Junior Secondary School, Gbazango, Kubwa and Government Secondary School, Kubwa II, with many of them commending the organisers for making them see clearly and better.

One of them, Miss Rejoice Chinonso, a 12-year-old student living with albinism, said that it had not been easy struggling to see what is written on the board.

“Sometimes, I don’t even see the board or my teacher, but thanks to Women and Girls with Albinism Network in Abuja, I can see clearly now. I feel very happy.

“Now my academic performance will improve. I really thank the NGO for giving albinism children a chance to focus on their future,” she said.

Also reacting, Abubakar Usman, a junior secondary school student in Gbazango said his vision was a bit cloudy until now, saying, “with the help of glasses, I can see my friends clearly.”

Another beneficiary, Zafanaya Gideon, thanked the organisers for the gesture, which she described as a “game changer” in her life.

“The free eye check and the glasses will change my life in an immeasurable way. Thank you. I can see very well now,” she said.

Musa Shuaibu, another student, said his sight has significantly improved after the treatment.

The visibly excited Shuaibu added that with the help of glasses, he could see everybody, saying, “now my academic performance will improve.”

The story was no different for Miss Rose Chukwuemeka, who said she could not see small letters, but could now see everything with the help of glasses.

Earlier, the founder and Chief Executive Director of the NGO, Constance Onyemaechi, shared her experience growing up as a person with albinism, which she simply described as “not easy.”

Onyemaechi said that the outreach would help a lot of children who were struggling with their eyesight to cope well in school, social life and build their self-esteem.

“We decided to do this in commemoration of World Sight Day; we have done the first phase, which is the eye screening.

“We are now on the second phase, which is refractive screening for children who were referred for refractive testing, especially children with albinism.

“The impact of this event is to ensure that every child gets proper health care services, especially when it comes to eye health,” she said.

Dr Garba Abdulrazaq, Programme Manager, Eye Care Disease Programme, Public Health Department, FCTA, said that the theme for the 2024 Eye Sight Day, ““Love Your Eyes Kids’’ beamed the light on children, hence the concentration on them.

Abdulrazaq said that the organisations were able to provide free eye screening services for kids, teachers and parents.

“We also have free glasses for children that will be refracted after detection and will need glasses and eye medications.

“We have also been able to educate the children and the staff about reducing stigma amongst people that wear glasses,” he said.

Abdulrazaq said that the project supported inclusiveness, ensuring that everybody was carried along, especially people with disabilities.

“This is why we also have students with albinism that are here today; it is very crucial to also educate students in the schools to let them know that people living with albinism are just like you and I,” he said. (NAN)