The University of Benin says 385 undergraduates are to earn First Class Honours during its 49th/50th convocation scheduled for between Nov. 20 and 23.Prof. Lilian Salami, Vice-Chancelleor of the university, announced this on Monday in Benin during a news conference to herald the convocation ceremony .

According to Salami, a total of 20,630 are graduating for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 sessions. She said the award of first degrees would hold on Nov. 22 while that of higher degrees would come up on Nov. 23.The vice-chancellor said out of numbers, 10,609 graduated for 2021/2022 session while 10,021 graduated for 2022/2023 session.Salami 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,” she said.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,” she said.She also claimed that automation of the registry and bursary departments sponsored by Latter Day Saints was on-going.She counted various infrastructure development the university had been able to attract under her watch.She said that the infrastructure included ultra-modern office buildings, lecture theatres, multimedia gadgets and faculty buildings, among others . (NAN)

Prof. Musa Yakasai, Vice Chancellor of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, Kano, has lauded Gov. Abba Yusuf for allocating 31 per cent of the state budget to the education sector.This is contained in a statement by Malam Abdullahi Abdullahi, Deputy Registrar Information and Public Relations of the university, on Wednesday in Kano.

Yakasai described the allocation as unique in the history of the country. “This is unique as it never happened in the history of Nigeria. More so, it even surpassed the UNESCO 25 per cent requirement to the sector by countries across the world,” he said.He also commended Yusuf for declaring a state of emergency in the sector, and urged all stakeholders to support the initiative with a view to achieving the desired objective.The vice chancellor lauded the governor’s recent approval for the completion of Dangote Hostel of the institution that was gutted by fire, as contractors had already mobilised back to site.“More significantly, we commend him for his approval for the settlement of allowances, especially earned allowances owed to members of staff of the University,” he said.He appealed to the governor to allocate “any available facility” within Kano to the university to serve as its City Campus.Yakasai also appealed to the governor for release of the remaining claims and allowances owed the university’s staff.( NAN)

The FCT Universal Basic Education Board(UBEB) has reiterated its commitment to ensure quality education and address out of school children.The Board made the pledge on Monday in Abuja during the finals of the 2024 season 3 of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board Head – To- Head Debate Reality show.

Through the programme student ambassadors aim to convince their peers at home to return to school. The Board’s spokesperson, Mrs Patience Ossai quoted Dr Alhassan Sule, the Acting Executive Chairman of FCT UBEB in a statement as saying the importance of education could not be overstated. He affirmed that globally, education was the bedrock of development and a passport to the future.He added that the Federal government under President Ahmed Tinubu saw education as a priority, adding that FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wikem was working to improve infrastructural development in FCT schools.Sule noted that the board was using the initiative as a strategy to curb the menace of out of school children in the territory and further supported the Federal government effort in reducing the syndrome.“We all know that Basic Education is free and compulsory and there is sanction for violation of the Act.“So we urge all hands to be on deck to support education for all. No more hawking during school hours,” Sule said.The Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmud commended FCTUBEB for the invaluable contribution in addressing the incidence of out- of – school children challenge in FCT.Mahmud represented by Mrs Grace Adayilo, Permanent Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, assured that the FCT Administration would be duly responsible for sustaining the project.Dr Jumai Ahmadu, the leader of Head – To- Head Reality Show and Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department, FCTA, said that the debate was the first of its kind under Sule’s visionary leadership.She added that Head – To- Head was a vision that should be supported and sustained.“The vision of the programme is to ensure that every child of school age is in school and to reduce social vices in the society,” she said.Ahmadu also applauded FCTUBEB for providing a serene and conducive environment marked with high-tech equipment to host the programme.The winners of the reality show were from Bwari Area Council they won the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions.The winning school, Junior Secondary School Dutse Alhaji II was given a generator, laptops, knapsacks, certificates and a golden trophy.The second place, JSS Kubwa 1 was equally rewarded with laptops, bags, certificates and trophy. Consolation prizes were given to the third, fourth position. (NAN)