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Tag: First class

  • A family of First Class graduates

    A family of First Class graduates

    Atinuke Adigun was one of the First Class graduates at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) convocation. This achievement may have stunned many who do not know her family history. She was only following in the footsteps of the father and brother. JOSEPH ESHANOKPE writes.

    •Son, daughter follow dad’s footsteps

    For members of Adiguns family in Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State, academic excellence runs in their genes. About 31 years ago, the family head, Mr Supo Adigun, was the best graduating student in the Economics Department of former University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. He made a First Class.

    Last year, Adigun’s son, Olanrewaju, finished from the Computer Engineering Department of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) with a First Class. This year, Olanrewaju’s sister, Atinuke, 21, followed in their footsteps. She graduated with a First Class in Economics at UNILAG convocation about two weeks ago.

    Atinuke was among the 10 First Class graduates in the  Economics Department. Her Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) was 4.68.

    At the convocation held at the Multipurpose Hall, Atinuke, along with other First Class graduates, received the school honour for excellence. She was also given a presidential handshake by the representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof Jerry Gana, who chairs of the UNILAG Governing Council.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Rahamon Bello, described the First Class graduates as the institution’s shining stars. Atinuke said she felt on top of the world by the discription.

    She recalled her encounter with the VC: “It was nice; it was the first time I would meet the VC. This makes me happy that my achievements could take me far. Hearing those words of encouragement from the head of the school, I was touched and felt on top of the world.”

    The feat, Atinuke said, is humbling. Her inspiration, she said, is her father, adding that her journey to  academic excellence started in 2010 when she was admitted into the university. She was 16 and the only thing she could hope for was excellence.

    “I prayed to God to give me the grace to finish on top of my class. I worked towards it by studying hard for it,” she said.

    But did she burn the proverbial midnight candle? “No,” she said, adding: “I made a First Class by prioritising my time for reading and other engagements. But I dedicated more time during the day for reading. I also attended professional seminars. They made me to be more focused and helped me in achieving my goals.”

    For Atinuke, the feat was not easy to come by. She faced challenges like her colleagues, especially in final year when she was under pressure to complete her project and participate in class work. Besides, a newly-introduced course, Econometrics, was a tough subject she had to pass.

    What is Atinuke’s plan after Bachelor’s degree? She said marriage is not on her cards for now, hoping to build a career in either academics or investment banking to take after her father, who recently retired from First Bank.

    Mr Adigun, who is now in private practice, gave glory to God for his children’s feats. He said the achievement made him to remember his days at OAU, saying the blood of academic brilliance runs in the family.

    His wife, Toyin, was all smiles during Atinuke’s graduation. She gave thanks to God, saying: “It is a thing of joy for me to turn out two graduates in succession and all of them made a First Class. I am so blessed. All glory be to God. Today is the best day of my life.”

    Adigun’s former classmate in the secondary school and Manager of UNILAG branch of Ecobank, Tunji Jayeola, said: “We are proud of Adigun’s family. I am happy that Atinuke has repeated the father’s feat. She knew what she wanted and went for it. This also shows anyone can achieve his dream in life if he is focused and have the right attitude. This is what Atinuke’s achievement indicates.”

  • Making First Class is easy…if

    Making First Class is easy…if

    First Class students are usually regarded as nerds who achieve the impossible.  However, some of them shared their formula of hard work with OLUWATOYIN ADELEYE.

    Graduands, who were honoured for their academic prowess during the 2014 convocation of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), last week, said achieving academic excellence is not rocket science.

    Counselling students coming behind, they said hard work, dedication and focus would propel an students to desired heights of success.

    Speaking with The Nation, the overall best graduating student of the institution, Korede Akinpelumi, the best student in the department of English, Oluwakayode Odumboni, and several others, testified that they defied odds to achieve exploits.

    With a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.69, Kayode emerged the fourth student to attain a first class degree in the institution’s department of English since its inception.

    The last time a first class grade was recorded at the point of graduation in the department was in 2009.

    • Kayode
    • Kayode

    Besides this achievement, Kayode is the first to earn a university degree in his family, as all his siblings went to polytechnics.

    He too obtained a National Diploma (ND) in Mass Communication from the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH).

    However, wanting more, he decided to apply to the university during his internship at The Nation.  He was admitted into UNILAG after his second attempt.

    For Kayode, stories about the difficulties of making a first class in the English department, and his previous experience at LASPOTECH, where he was cheated out of a distinction, put off first class achievement from his mind.  But he strove for excellence, which finally paid off.

    Advising his peers, he said: “People should not put themselves under the pressure of making first class. Just strive to excel at what you do and understand the nitty gritty of your course, so that even if you do not attain a first class grade, you will be able to stand tall as someone that knows his onions.”

    Another former intern of The Nation, Simon Godwin, who graduated  as the second best student in the Mass Communication department with a CGPA of 4.71, said his achievement was a product of his dream right from his first year in the university.

    He said it cost him hard work, determination and discipline and urged other students to do likewise.

    “Make sure you live a purposeful life on campus. If you set a goal for yourself overlook distractions and maintain your focus on your goal, you will achieve it,” he said.

    Twenty-one-year old Korede of the Faculty of Engineering said he centered his social life on religious activities, shunning the conventional social activities youths were wont to.

    He said: “My social life was restricted within the religious sphere. Right from my year two, I became a worker in my fellowship. In my final year, I became the assistant follow-up secretary of the Redeemed Christian Fellowship so I had them as my family on campus. These, coupled with my determination to be among the best, if not the best, propelled me.”

    The only female to attain first class degree in the department of Engineering, at this year’s convocation, Oluwakemi Olofinnika of the Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, was eager to encourage everyone to dream big and stay focused on their dreams to be where they want to be.

    She had this counsel for undergraduates: “I want to encourage everyone out there that it is very possible for you all to achieve this. I will tell you that in UNILAG, there are a lot of distractions but if you are determined and focused, you can make it. If you can also connect with your lecturers for guidance and be very close to God, you will definitely achieve great exploits.”

    Kemi, the only child in her family to have attained a first class degree, thanked God for his help.  She added that she said she did not allow herself to be hindered by her family’s financial difficulties, but strove to acquire scholarships that saw her through.

    The best student of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Mohammed Abdul-Rahman of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, aptly said: “What helped me to achieve this were hard work, dedication and focus. I am from Borno State, where education is disregarded by most and we have never had any graduate from my family until now, which is me. So I did my best to prove to the world that yes I am from Borno state, but I can also succeed.”

    He counselled students not to lose focus.

    “Most times, when people come into the university, they lose focus, because the university is a place where you are on your own and have every opportunity to do what you want to do. So, you have to get your priorities right to say, what do I want to make of my next four or five years in this university? There is nothing you want to achieve that you cannot achieve if you plan with prayer, hard work and dedication”, he said.

  • FUT Minna produces 34 First Class graduates

    over 3, 400 students will be conferred with bachelor’s  and higher degrees at the 24th convocation of the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, on Saturday.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Musibau Akanji, said 2,903 of the graduands are bachelor’s degree holders, while 105 and 453 would be graduating with Post Graduate Diplomas and Masters’ degrees. An additional 29 graduates, he said, will bag doctorate degrees.

    Akanji further said 34 of the first degree graduates made first class, while 811 are in the second class upper, 1,363 are in second class lower and 648 got third class categories with 47 others making the pass grade.

    Akanji said in fulfilment of his promise on assumption as the Vice Chancellor of the institution, certificates would be issued to all graduates after Saturday’s ceremony.

    Activities to mark the convocation began with a Juma’at prayer last Friday and a special church service on Sunday. An exhibition of academic exploits holds today at Suleimanu Kumo Convocation Square, main campus, Gidan Kwano, while the Convocation lecture titled: “The role of law in the enhancement of socio-economic growth of the nation” will be delivered tomorrow by the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi.

     

  • Behold the First Class pharmacist

    Behold the First Class pharmacist

    The Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has held its 30th induction. Hiqmat Abdulahi Odunayo emerged valedictorian among 137 other graduands. MIFTAUDEEN RAJI (100-Level Mass Communication) reports.

    It is not a mean feast to graduate with a First Class. With a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.80, Hiqmat Abdulahi Odunayo emerged top of her class at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). The feat brought glad tidings and rekindled memories of her challenging times in school.

    Hiqmat beat seven of her colleagues, who finished with distinction, to emerge overall best graduating student. The success story of Hiqmat’s six years academic sojourn, which saw her bagging the B.Pharm degree, started in December, 2009.

    Last Thursday, she, with 137 others, was inducted a pharmacist by the officials of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN). She won the Pfizer Science Prize and other academic prizes for her feat.

    The 30th induction was held in the institution’s main auditorium; it attracted dignitaries from all walks of life. It was remarkable, because of the eight graduands with distinction, seven were women.

    On what motivated her, Hiqmat said she was moulded by her environment and peers. “I cannot say that I am more intelligent than my colleagues. I could not have achieved this without them. It was all of them, who were my competitors and also my backbone. In that way, we are all valedictorians to have graduated from the faculty.

    She added: “This achievement would not have been possible without the help of Allah, and the support of my family and friends. I congratulate my fellow graduating students, and also remind them that our journey has just begun in discovering who we really are. I encourage everyone all to protect the lofty image of this institution as we go into the world to practise the discipline we have been studying.”

    Addressing graduands, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, advised the inductees study further, noting that the induction signified another journey and not the end in their profession.

    He assured that the university would continue to nurture students to attain excellence, adding: “This is a special profession in the society and we see it as our responsibility to produce competent manpower to uphold its values and ethics of practice.”

    Prof Bello, represented by his deputy for Academics and Research, Prof Babajide Alo, said the inductees had obligation to be good ambassador of the school when they start to practise. He added: “You will have some responsibilities to play in your profession. Whichever area you may specialise, you must realise that your potentials are limitless.”

    The Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof Olukemi Odukoya, noted that the vision of pharmacy discipline offerered leadership development, rather than career continuity.

    She said: “A huge responsibility would be entrusted to you, but the ones ahead are even greater. This is by far most exciting and challenging time for the profession. You will be faced with many obstacles, but from these obstacles come opportunities to write your name in gold. You must ensure that patients receive quality pharmaceutical care, using your clinical skills.”

    The chairman of the occasion, Mr Ike Onyechi, a pharmacist, urged the graduands to be committed to ethics and determined to make good impact on the lives of the people. He said: “As you are leaving, I want you to be determined. The environment is not easy. The more it becomes tougher, the higher you can go.”

    Colourful activities marked the occasion. The highpoint was the oath-taking conducted by Mr N.A. Muhammad and presentation of prizes and certificates to the inductees.

    The ceremony was attended by members of the university Senate and other officials of management. There were PCN officials led by the president, Mr Olumide Akintayo, Dr Adepoju Bello.

     

     

  • 19 bag First Class at EKSU

    Nineteen students of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) will graduate with First Class degree as the institution’s convocation on Friday.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina, said this yesterday at a briefing to herald the week-long activities to mark the 20th convocation.

    Aina named Tawose Olamide Tunde of the Mathematic Sciences Department as the Best Graduating Student with Cumulative Grade Points Average of 4.87.

    Aina said 991 graduating students obtained Second Class Upper Division; 4451 got Second Class Lower Division; 1081 went home with Third Class and 58 Pass.

    The VC said the convocation would cover 2012/2013 academic session, adding that due to the national strike by lecturers, the school lost the 2013/2014 session.

    According to him, the convocation lecture will be delivered by eminent geologist and former National Merit Award Winner, Prof. Oluwafeyisola Adegoke.

    He said the National Universities Commission (NUC) has given full accreditation to the EKSU College of Medicine, adding that the institution is also expecting accreditation of the college by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

  • Behold the First Class pharmacist

    Behold the First Class pharmacist

    The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) held its 44th Convocation last weekend. Miss Nkiruka Ibeanu of the Faculty of Pharmarcy emerged the best graduating student. INYA-AGHA EGWU and CHOICE EWERE report.

    Miss Nkiruka Ozioma Ibeanu of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) was the cynosure of all eyes at the institution’s 44th Convocation last weekend. She bagged all academic awards and honour at the ceremony. She had over 10 distinctions.

    Nkiruka graduated with a First Class, beating 84 others to become the overall best graduating student. Over 14,015 students got their first and post-graduate degrees at the ceremony.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, said Nkiruka’s achievement showed the extent women could go if they got education. With the feat, the VC said Nkiruka has made herself a pride for women.

    In his address, the Pro-chancellor and chairman of Governing Council, Mr Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, reminded the graduates their certificates indicated that they had been found worthy in character and learning.

    He advised the graduates to be conscious of their conduct, urging them to be good ambassadors of their alma mater. He advised them to use their knowledge to conquer the world.

    Ukala praised the university administration led by Prof Ozumba for what he called “spirit of excellence” and for initiating innovative ideas designed to take the institution to higher level. He Praised the effort of the University of Nigeria Alumni (UNA) for its support and effort to improve facilities and standard of learning in the school.

    He praised the UNN Chancellor and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, for his fatherly role to the university.

    In his goodwill message read by the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, President Goodluck Jonathan urged tertiary institutions to harness their potential to improve their Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR). The move, Jonathan said, would complement government’s effort in improving infrastructure in higher institutions.

    The President said his administration had injected billions of naira into education through intervention by educational bodies, such as Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). He said government alone could not provide all the funds needed to solve challenges facing higher institution.

    He said: “The universities themselves must make concrete efforts to complement government’s funding by generating their own resources. It is expected that universities should ensure that funds accruing to them are prudently managed.”

    The President expressed satisfaction with the administration of Prof Ozumba, saying the VC had brought prudent management of resources and vigorous pursuit of ideas to bear in maintaining the values and excellence for which the institution is known.

    The university honoured some distinguished personalities with honorary doctoral degrees, among whom was Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. Other honorary awardees included Dr Musa Babayo and Dr Valerie-Janet Ogonna Azinge.

    Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Sen. Ekweremadu thanked the management for finding them worthy of the awards.

    He said: “I have had several of similar awards in the past, but I cherish this particular award because it is coming from the first indigenous university in the country.”

    He promised that he would partner with the university management to upgrade infrastructure in the institution.

    Ekweremadu challenged universities to conduct studies on the challenges facing the country and proffer solutions on how the problems could be solved. He called for concerted efforts by Nigerians to work together and make the country overcome its myriads of challenges.

    Prof Ozumba said the graduates worked hard to deserve the degree of the institution. A total of 14,015 graduates were awarded first degrees, among whom 3,717 graduated with Second Class (Upper Division), 7,275 Second Class (Lower Division), 2,294 Third Class and 227 Pass.

    Distribution of the First Class among faculties showed that Education produced 45 First Class graduates, Engineering 14, Agriculture, five; Social Science, five; Biological Sciences, four; Arts, three, Health Sciences and Technology, three: Physical Sciences, two: Environmental, two; Law, one and Business Administration, one.

    Also, two professors, P.N. Okeke and Paul Akubue, received the titles of professor emeritus for their contributions to scholarship and development of the university.

    Nkiruka, who spoke on behalf of the best graduating students, urged their junior colleagues to always strive to excel and pursue their studies with dedication. She urged her colleagues to identify with the alumni association to give back to their alma mater.

  • UNILORIN produces 48 First Class graduates

    UNILORIN produces 48 First Class graduates

    Forty-eight graduates of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) will be awarded First Class degree certificates at the 30th Convocation on October 30.

    In a statement, the institution’s Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, said 5,421 students would receive first degree certificates in various disciplines.

    One thousand, one hundred and ninety (1,190) are graduating with Second Class Upper; 2,814 with Second Class Lower; 1,068 with Third Class and 84 with pass.

    Eighteen Diploma graduates, 642 Master graduands, 106 Ph.D graduates and 142 Postgraduate Diploma graduands will also receive their certificates.

  • History as girl bags first class in Radiography at UNICAL

    History as girl bags first class in Radiography at UNICAL

    Eteng Rajuno has made history by becoming the first student to bag a First Class in Radiography at the University of Calabar (UNICAL).  She was honoured at the eighth Induction and Oath taking of the College of Medical Science. STANLEY UCHEGBU (Accounting) reports.

    The induction at the College of Medical Science of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) was remarkable. Although it was the eighth oath taking at the Radiography and Radiological Sciences departments, it was special. An inductee, Ms Eteng Rejuno, made history by bagging a first class, the first since Radiography was introduced in the school in 1981.

    It was a moment of joy for the graduates, as they took the oath. The inductees filed into the  Conference Centre of the UNICAL Hotel venue, beaming with smiles. They were joined by their family members and friends.

    Of the lot admitted into the department five years ago, 61 were lucky to complete the programme. To the management, the ceremony was a turning point in the history of the institution and the Radiography Department.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke, led other principal officers, including the Medical Science Provost, Prof Saturday Etuk, represented by his deputy, Prof Edisua Itam; Dean of the Faculty of Allied Medical Science, Prof Anne Asuquo and Dean of the Faculty of the Clinical Science, Prof Maurice Asuquo.

    Others were Registrar, Radiography Board of Nigeria (RBN), Mr Michael Okpaleke, Cross River State Chairman of Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, Mr. Otu Asinyang, Medical College Secretary, Mrs. Uduak Akang, Head of Radiography Department, Dr Nneoyi Egbe, lecturers and medical practitioners, among others.

    Prof Epoke urged the inductee not to tarnish the reputation of the profession, saying the institution was known for producing sound radiographers. He told the inductees to shun unethical practices that may erode the value of the profession, adding that the RBN would not hesitate to withdraw certificates of erring members.

    “Today, history is made in the Department of Radiography. We produced the first student to be graduated with a First Class in the department. And this makes the event remarkable. I will enjoin you to always seek knowledge and make the best of your career,” he said.

    Prof Etuk, whose speech was read by Prof Itam, described radiography as an evolving profession, stressing the need for constant update of knowledge to meet up with challenges and demands. He urged the inductees to see themselves as new breeds that would bring about advancement in the profession.

    Okpaleke advised the graduates to improve on the knowledge they acquired in school and be conversant with new techniques. He said: “Knowledge you have acquired is just the foundation, you are expected to improve on it. You must be abreast of trends on the field and make a success of it. You need to continuously develop yourself in new techniques because the practice of today is different from what we had in the years past.”

    In his lecture entitled: Ethical basis for improving radiography service delivery, Dr Egbe demonstrated with diagrams how to maintain radiation dose and therapeutic need of patients in line with best practice. He said a radiographer owed a patient an enhanced service.

    The high point was the oath taking session, which was performed by Okpaleke and Dr Egbe.

    Eteng had Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.5 – the highest recorded since the institution started awarding Bachelor degree in the discipline. For the feat, Eteng bagged seven honours, including automatic employment in the school after her National Youth Service.

    Others best students are Emmanuel Agiande, who was the best in clinical proficiency, and Mabington Okwuonu, best in leadership creativity.

    Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Eteng praised the department’s lecturers and parents for their efforts in making their dreams come true.

    She said: “We thank the management, the college authorities, our parents, friends and well-wishers for the roles they played in ensuring that we are being inducted today. We specially appreciate our parents for their financial and moral support.”

    The inductees presented gifts to their lecturers and donated a generator to the department. This was done by Mabington,  a former president of Nigerian Association of Radiography Students.

  • Four bag first class at DELSU

    Four bag first class at DELSU

    Four students bagged First Class during the Eighth Convication of the Delta State University (DELSU) in Abraka. PHILIP OKORODUDU (Graduating student of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering) and ESE OKODUWA (300-Level Home Economics Education) report.

    No fewer than 10,215 graduates of the Delta State University (DELSU) in Abraka were conferred with degrees and diplomas at the institution’s eighth Convocation penultimate Saturday. The ceremony was held at the Convocation Arena of the university’s Site III.

    It was for the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 set of graduates. About 8,049 got first degree certificates; 597, Diplomas and 1,569, post-graduate degrees.

    Four of the graduates had First Class, 1,372, Second Class (Upper Division), 4,819, Second Class (Lower Division), 1,684, Third Class and 170, pass.

    In attendance were the Visitor, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, and the Pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council, Mr. Tony Elumelu, among other top dignitaries.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Eric Arubayi, said the ceremony was an opportunity for the Visitor and stakeholders an opportunity to meet the graduands. The event, he added, ended the students’ struggle to get a degree. He urged the graduands to take stock of their achievements, saying they must reflect on the challenges they faced before they got their degrees.

    Prof Arubayi expressed gratitude to the state government, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and other organisations for their support, especially in providing infrastructure.

    The VC praised staff and students for joining him to make the campus conducive for learning.

    Uduaghan urged the graduands not to give up hope on the future of the country, noting that the objective of Delta Beyond Oil, his pet project, is to open up the state’s economy and provide jobs for indigenes.

    Highlight of the event was the presentation of gifts to the best graduating students – Efe Igbagbon of Mechanical and Metellurgical Engineering, who had a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.64 and Joy Onyemaechi  of Economics department, who made a CGPA of 4.67.

    Joy advised her colleagues to be ready for the challenges of life outside the ivory tower.

    Efe gave all the glory to God, saying: “When I was admitted, so many people told me that getting a First Class in this university was like trying to make a Carmel pass through the eyes of a needle. But, I set forth to do my best and I am glad that today, my best was good enough.”

  • N160m for First Class graduates

    Anambra State Governor Peter Obi yesterday presented N1 million each to 160 First-Class graduates, who are indigenes, to enable them establish themselves.

    The event took place at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, while he was presenting 15 Toyota buses to 55 secondary schools.

    Obi said the gesture was to encourage hard work among students and youths.

    The recipients are graduates of Nigerian universities.

    The governor distributed more than 200 transformers to communities and two fire trucks to the fire service.