By Young E. Freeborn, Yenagoa
The university community at the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State was recently a beehive of academic activities as over forty students graduated from the school during her 5th convocation ceremony with various grades of degrees, and other personalities received awards of honorary doctorate degrees, prizes and other academic titles.
The convocation ceremony, which was held on 6th September right at the Power of Faith Building in the university premises, brought together government officials, business owners and entrepreneurs, traditional rulers from different parts of the country, families and friends of the graduates and members of the general public in large numbers and in colourful styles.
Presenting an address during the event, which also coincided with the seventh memorial lecture of the founder of the university and the Ibru Organization worldwide, late Olorogun Michael Christopher Ibru, the chancellor of the university and also the co-founder, Dr. (Mrs) Cecilia Ibru, called on the graduates to put to use the requisite knowledge acquired from the institution.
She spoke extensively on the transformative power of AI in education in advanced countries across the world and also its importance in Nigeria.
She said, “In this dynamic digital age, the marriage of education and technology has birthed a world brimming with unprecedented possibilities. Amid the myriad of revolutionary advancements, Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a formidable force reshaping the very fabric of knowledge acquisition. AI has swiftly transcended its infancy to become the pioneering agent of transformation in education.”
The university chancellor however called on the university management to intensify efforts on the practical use of the AI technology in the school by both students and staff of the institution especially in this digital age.
In her speech, the vice chancellor of the university, Prof. Ibiyinka Fuwape congratulated the esteemed graduates for coming out of the school with different success stories at the end of their academic pursuits despite the myriad of challenges. She however called on the graduates to put their knowledge to work by being creative and innovative to remove idleness and joblessness from their ways. Prof. Fuwape also honoured the founder of the great citadel of learning, the late Olorogun Michael Christopher Ibru of blessed memory for his vision and mission to establish such a great university in his hometown of Agbarha-Otor.
Presenting his convocation/memorial lecture during the event, Prof. Bart Nnaji, a former Minister of Power and also the Founder/CEO of Geometric Power Ltd extolled the sterling qualities and virtues of the founder of the university, the late Olorogun Michael Christopher Ibru of how he contributed greatly to the economic advancements of Nigeria in general and that of his hometown of Agbarha-Otor in particular for establishing different companies and educational institutions across the country. The former Minister of Power however congratulated the graduates and wished them success in their different academic disciplines.
High point of the convocation ceremony was the presentation of academic degrees to the graduates from the various faculties and departments of the university by the chancellor, Dr. (Mrs) Cecilia Ibru, on behalf of the Senate and the governing council of the university.
Honorary doctorate degrees were also presented to Prof. Bart Nnaji, former Minister of Power, Engr. Matthew Edevbie, GMD/CEO of Income Electrix Ltd and Engr. Dr. Johnny Enayomo Esike, chairman, Sykes Energiprojekts Group for their “immense contributions to the educational development of the country, especially in the area of engineering and promotion of human capital development.”
Responding on behalf of the graduates after the presentation and conferment of degrees, the overall best graduating student, Mr. Aregbor Emmanuel with a CGPA of 4.87, thanked the university management, the chancellor and lecturers for giving them the best during their stay in the school. He promised on behalf of the other graduates not to disappoint the university or their families as they venture into the world.
Other dignitaries that attended the convocation ceremony were Prof. Tonukari Johnbull, the commissioner for Higher Education, who represented the state governor at the event, HRM, Macaulay Ovbagbedia, the Ohworode of Olomu kingdom and others.
