Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, paid tribute to the management of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti last Saturday for managing the institution well despite the current economic challenges.
Dickson spoke after being conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (honoris Causa) in Public Administration at the university’s 21st convocation, during which a total of 18,685 candidates received Degrees, Diplomas and Post-graduate Diplomas.
The Governor said: “It is a great privilege to have been invited here and decorated with this beautiful academic robe. The Ekiti State University has become a model for other institutions. Just two days ago, I sent a team from our state university to come here and interact with your management with a view to find out how you are managing to pay salaries without receiving the subventions from your governor.”
Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, also joined in praising the vice chancellor, Prof Samuel Bandele and his team. He also commended the institution’s council led by Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, for making the right choice in Bandele last December.
“I want to appreciate the governing council of the university for your efforts and outstanding performance at a time like this when financing government has become a huge challenge in the face of the dwindling federal allocations. Your performance for the six months has been commendable,” he said.
In light of the economic crunch, Fayose urged the graduands to look towards agriculture for jobs.
“Those that are graduating, the queue out there is long and white collar jobs are rare. Those who even have such jobs, are they paid regularly? The situation is getting tougher every day, and we must all invest more in agriculture,” he said.
In his speech, Prof Bandele said the institution has survived this far because he has vigorously pursued his mission to turn EKSU into a 21st century globally acclaimed university that will excel in academics, research, culture and moral values.
He said the Revenue and Academic Summits organised to achieve the mission were already yielding positive dividends.
For instance he said the revenue summit led to the establishment of EKSU Ventures which has been granted certificate of incorporation by the Corporate Affairs Commission and has created jobs and income.
He said the university now has a bakery which produces bread, a block industry, a farm and has revived the university press which now handles printing jobs within and outside the university.
The VC said the EKSU is also entering into partnership with notable universities in some parts of the world to reposition it academically so it can access research grants for various programmes.
Bandele also said the university has revamped its Examination and Records Units which gave the institution a negative image because of late issuance of results, transcripts and certificates.
Other achievements listed by Bandele included the expansion of academic programmes, development of Information and Communication Technology and the rehabilitation of various facilities, including the university library.
Two others, Gbenga Oyebode, a lawyer and businessman; and Oba Adegoke Adeyemi, the Alara of Aramoko and Chancellor of the university, were honored along with Dickson.
Oyebode bagged a honorary doctorate degree in Law, while Oba Adeyemi received bagged a honorary degree in Public Administration.
Thanking the university for the honour, Oyebode said: “Over the years, I supported this university, the Faculty of Law has been receiving my support every week in the last 20 years. It is not every day you get celebrated at home and I cherish this first honorary doctorate degree. I thank this university for celebrating me.”
Of the 18,685 graduands, 3,054 were full-time students; 392, Sandwich; 10,613 from affiliate colleges; and 3,937 part-time students.
At the Postgraduate level, 78 bagged Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees; 366 Masters; 127 professional Masters; and 118 Post-Graduate Diploma.
