By Cynthia Eruotor
President Bola Tinubu said the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Delta State as an oil and gas institution is crucial to Nigeria’s economic growth. Tinubu stated this on Saturday at the 4th Convocation ceremony of 2020/2021, 2022/2023,2023/2024 graduating sets.
According to him, since the institution is an energy research and innovation one, should align with goal of administration to drive the economic prosperity and create opportunities for all Nigerians adding that, by partnering with government and industries, the University can be a key player in providing sustainable energy for the nation. He said, while the government is committed to the growth of Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, it can not do it alone but needs the support of industry leaders to enable the institution become a global hub for energy education and innovation.
His words:” As a government, we are committed to supporting the growth of this University particularly in securing opportunity to help in fulfilling its mandate and lead in energy sector. However, this is a shared responsibility as l called on industry leaders to partner with us in empowering Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun to become a global hub for energy education and innovation”.
According to His Excellency Bola Tinubu, the graduates would be equipped with skills needed for the evolving energy sector which will make them contribute their quota to Nigeria’s sustainable future. He said, with the knowledge they have acquired so far, they should be able to lead in advancing energy research and innovation and equip the next generation with expertise needed to manage the country’s energy future as indigenous companies take the lead in oil and gas sector.
Bola Tinubu who was represented by the Vice Chancellor, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Engr.Prof. Emmanuel Munakurogha said, this administration is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian student has access to quality education, national youth’s employment and entrepreneurship programmes and expanded scholarships which are aimed at equipping the youths with skills needed to shape future. According to him, they should not forget that as graduates, they are to lead the transformation of the society just as he said, they (graduates) should use their knowledge to address global challenges as they are the engineers, scientists and innovators to develop sustainable energy which be of benefit to the society.
While congratulating the graduands for successfully completing the programmes, he also thanked their parents who were able to help them not only financially, morally and otherwise, that enable them graduate.
His words:”Your parents and guidance deserve commendation for their commitment to see you through the years of your sojourn in this academic environment”.
On his part, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council ,Engr. Bello Gachi Issa said, while the Governing Council has been placed for a relatively short period, it has advanced the course of the institution, this, according to him, despite the numerous challenges that stares the institution at its face. His words:” With a clear mandate to drive this institution towards global recognition, we have made notable strides in enhancing administrative processes, improving infrastructure and boost staff moral..”
Engr Issa thanked the President, Bola Tinubu for his support of the institution so far, the National Universities Commission and other stake holders for their contributions towards the development of the University.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Engr Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh said this Convocation is not only a celebration of the graduates but also to mark the conclusion of five- year tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the University. According to him, it has been a journey of growth and accomplishments. He said, this 4th Convocation Ceremony is meant to celebrate the achievement of the graduands who are deemed to be worthy in character and learning and therefore, by the authority of the Senate, they would be awarded Diplomas, Postgraduates, Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees just as he said, some would be receiving prize awards for exceptional performances.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the school is graduating three thousand, three hundred and sixty nine( 3369) Students, including two thousand, six hundred and eighty three(2683) Undergraduates, and six hundred and eighty six( 686) Postgraduates, with fifty one(51) First-Class Honour just as he said six(6) individuals will receive honorary degrees for their outstanding contributions for the growth of the school.
Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh said the institution has speedy growth over the years as the institution which began with fifty(50) students in 2007 has over ten thousand(10,000) students across 24 academic programmes. His words:”We have also built a strong academic tradition and expanded most of our facilities thereby increasing our admission quota to 2,117 in the just concluded admission exercise, while maintaining a stable academic calendar”
He said, despite these developments of the University, it is faced by teething challenges such as poor funding as the institution needs infrastructural development, residential halls constraints, non- implementation of FUPRE Establishment Act 2017 among others and therefore called for assistance in this regard.
While congratulating the graduands for successful completion of their programmes, Engr. Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh thanked the President, Bola Tinubu, the Governor of Delta State, Rt, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Pro- Chancellor and members of the Governing Council, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu and ASR Africa, Chevron Nigerià Limited, TETFUND and other donors for their contributions in various ways for the development of the University. He also thanked the staff for their dedication and of course, the students for their passion and perseverance in the pursuit of knowledge and the parents of the students for support which saw their success in the school.
The programme which saw the conferment of honorary degrees on Aliko Dangote, Chief Dr. Lee A. Ikpea, JP, Femi Bajomo, among others, climaxed with the award of certificates for the graduands.