By Tony Adibe
The Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Polycarp Emeka Chigbu has said that the illegal connections, energy theft, irresponsible use and dereliction of duty that sabotaged electricity supply in the UNN have been “diagnosed and cured to a very large extent.”
Prof Chgbu’s early days as the chief executive officer faced serious electricity challenges which hampered his administration initially, NewsBitsng.com learnt.
Addressing a press conference at the main hall of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), to flag off the 1-week activities scheduled for the 53rd Convocation ceremony of the university, the Acting Vice Chancellor said: “Your determination to make UNN to succeed allowed us the time we needed to deal with the electricity challenges that dogged my early days as the chief executive. First, you showed fortitude during the power rationing, which interestingly introduced a different kind of regularity or assurance of power supply not common with public power supply.”
He added that “today, our inventiveness has seen not only a lasting resolution of the crisis, but we have also gained deep insights into sustainable energy solutions for the future.” Chigbu explained that the primary purpose of the press briefing was to formally announce the details of the programs and disclose the breakdown of the degrees to be awarded at the 53rd Convocation.
Giving a summary of the undergraduate results, he announced that a total of 11,143 graduates were produced with the breakdown of results thus: First Class Honours 195; Second Class Honours (Upper Division) 4165; Second Class Honours (Lower Division) 5197; Third Class Honours 659; Diplomas 16; Pass 22 and Unclassified 889 , making a total of 11,143.
He explained that the unclassified degrees are awarded to graduates of some courses such as Medicine, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine, which are not usually categorized into first, second and third classes.
Chigbu also gave the summary of the Postgraduate results announcing that a total of 1,356 Postgraduate degrees and diplomas of the UNN would be awarded at the 53rd convocation ceremony.
He gave a breakdown of the Postgraduate degrees and diplomas as follows: 431 persons will earn the Doctorate degrees, while 848 persons will be awarded the Masters degrees. He added that a total of 77 postgraduate diplomas of the university will also be awarded at the convocation.
According to the Vice Chancellor, “Two persons have been found deserving of the honorary doctorate degrees of the university and will be decorated accordingly.”
He said that in keeping with the UNN tradition, two deserving retired professors of the university, Prof. Felix Ezema Onah (Faculty of the Social Sciences) and Prof. Isaac Uzoma Asuzu (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) will be elevated to the distinguished status of Emeritus Professor.
Outlining the convocation activities as scheduled, the Vice Chancellor said that the convocation lecture with the topic, “Harnessing Technological Teaching and Learning,” will hold on Thursday, December 19, 2024, and will be delivered by the President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN).
He said that the lecture will be chaired by the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Nsukka campus.
Later in the evening by 5:00pm, prizes and awards night will hold, Chigbu said, adding that “This is going to be an evening affair as the program now starts by 5:00pm having put into considerations the safety and security of our students, parents, and our special guests.”
According to him, “The award of First Degrees and Diplomas of the university is scheduled for 10:00am on Friday, December 20, 2024. The venue as usual is Margret Ekpo Convocation Arena at the Nsukka campus of the University of Nigeria.”
He added further that the award of Higher Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Honorary Doctorate Degrees of the UNN will hold on Saturday, December 21, 2024 by 10:00am at the Ekpo Convocation Arena.
He said other events of the week included exhibitions slated for Wednesday, December 18, 2024 and Convocation Drama Night holding on Friday, December 20, 2024, adding that the Jumat Service comes up same Friday by 1:00pm.
The Vice Chancellor also used the occasion to highlight some of the achievements recorded under his watch, which focused on resolving energy challenges, strengthening Alumni relations, infrastructural advancements, staff audit, transparent governance, research excellence, among others.
