Biodun Esan, Ilorin
The Vice Chancellor (VC) of University Ilorin (Unilorin), Prof Wahab Egbewole (SAN), has called on governments at all levels to declare state of emergency in education sector in the country.
The VC made the call at the 37th and 38th Convocation Ceremonies of the University on Friday.
According to the VC; “education sector in this country, particularly, higher education, has suffered avoidable setbacks in the recent past leading to brain drain.
“Our institutions need more hands to deliver on its mandates and funds for serious academic works, researches and collaborations for desired outputs.
“We wish to assure Mr. President that we will not rest on our oars for advancement and cutting-edge research aimed at development and community engagement.
“I firmly believe that our institution is well-prepared to face these challenges, and I have every confidence in the potential of our graduates to make a positive impact in their respective fields.
“We will continue the legacy of academic excellence and prepare our students to be the leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers of tomorrow.
He however urged the new graduates to critically think without a box, be open-minded, and collaborate with others to find solutions to the complex issues.
“Your education at the University of Ilorin has prepared you for this, and I have no doubt that you will rise to the challenges,” the VC said.
Egbewole urged parents and guardians to continue to be the pillars of strength and encouragement to their children and wards.
“To our esteemed Alumni, I celebrate your achievements and the legacies you have left behind. Your accomplishments serve as an inspiration and a testament to the quality of education provided by the great University of Ilorin.
“I urge you to continue to support and mentor our new graduates, for your guidance and experience will be invaluable as they navigate the challenges of the world beyond the university walls,” he added.
“I am proud to announce that our university has achieved remarkable milestones in terms of ranking, both nationally and internationally. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students.
“In a demonstration of our strong determination to become the best in Nigeria, our university has moved up the ranking ladder of leading Ivory Towers in Nigeria and for the 10th consecutive year, we again topped the list of the most sought-after university in the country for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
“The University continued to enjoy the support of TETFUND as an intervention fund of ₦954,732,123.00 was allocated to the University by TETFUND for year 2023 to cover 11 specific areas.
“Equally, the University received a TETFund award of ₦500 million for hostel accommodation for our students and (₦200 million for Zonal Interventions. The University is using the funds to execute different projects; research and innovation are the lifeblood of our institution.
“The university produced four patents in the 2021/2022 academic session and currently has a total of 36 patents with the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Office of Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NATOP), Abuja.
“With this, University of Ilorin is one of the highest contributing institutions to patency in Nigeria. The numbers of our patents in the various disciplines are; Medical 5, Agriculture 5, Engineering 16, Food 1, Information Technology 4, Petrochemical 3, Defense 1, Energy 1.
“The various patents are currently being positioned for commercialization. The remarkable achievements of our students are a source of pride for me as I recognize their outstanding talents, dedication, and hard work.
“The achievements of our students serve as a testament to the quality of education and opportunities that our institution provides.
“In the spirit of fostering an environment of learning, innovation, and growth, our students have excelled in a myriad of fields, setting a standard of excellence,” Egbewole said.
A total of 14,477 students will be receiving certificates for Diplomas first Degrees, Masters, post Graduate Diploma and PhD.
211 graduates made First Class, while 4,143 came out with Second Class (Upper Division), 6,570 Second Class (Lower Division), 1,742 Third Class and 30 Pass.
151 bagged MBBS, 73 graduated with Nursing degrees, 18 in Optometry, 43 bagged Veterinary Medicine degrees, and 12 came out with Distinction while 27 made a Pass in Pharmacy.
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