Nasarawa State University, Keffi, will this Saturday, 6th May, 2017 convocate a total of 35,000 graduands at the 5th combined convocation ceremony.
A breakdown of the number showed that about 27,000 are undergraduates while postgraduate students are 8,000.
An impeccable source within the management who pleaded anonymity, revealed that the students are those who graduated between 2008/2009 to 2015/2016 academic sessions.
See also: NSUK 5th Combined Convocation Ceremony Programme of Events – 2017.
The University was shut down for a period amounting to about ten months as a result of ill-fated students protest and the nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.
Nasarawa State University had its first convocation on the 18th of February, 2006 with just 100 graduands out of the 310 pioneer students while the second edition in 2007 saw about 700 students convocating.
The 3rd and 4th combined convocation ceremony of 2008 had 1921 graduands, including first set of Post-Graduate students.
There was also a Special Convocation Ceremony in 2009, where the likes of HRH Alhaji Isa Mustapha Agwai I (Emir of Lafia), Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule (Danmasanin Kano), late Chief Solomon Lar and late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, (Wazirin Ilorin) received Honorary Doctorate Degrees.
The delay in holding the occasion since the last one in 2009, has been attributed to lack of fund and the challenges of the interruptions in academic calendar, no thanks to the several industrial actions embarked upon by staff unions in the institution in recent times.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Akaro Mainoma, has pledged that henceforth, all things being equal, Convocation Ceremony will become a yearly activity.
Professor Mainoma will be holding an International Press Conference this Thursday, 4th May, 2017 at the VC’s Conference Room as part of line up of activities for the Convocation.
There will also be a pre-convocation lecture on Friday 5th May, 2017 at the Assembly Hall of University by the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau (Rt.) and the installation of the Chancellor by 4pm.
Saturday 6th May, will see the main event with the award of degrees, diplomas and honorary degrees to deserving individuals at the Convocation Square starting by 10 am prompt.
Already, graduands were seen making payments for their gowns and book of proceedings at various banks within the University.
Some of them expressed joy for the coming convocation, saying they are ready for it.
Activities at the Administrative Building and faculties have also increased as many of the staff, including the Vice Chancellor, Deans and others were either in one meeting or another in preparation for the D-day.
By Ofim, Kelechi Ofim