No fewer than 10,707 graduands have received degrees and certificates at the 17th convocation ceremonies of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), in Awka, Anambra State.
Speaking at the occasion held at the campus arena, the Vice Chancellor of Unizik, Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone, declared that the convocation ceremony is for the 2021/2022 academic year.
He said that the graduates include 6,000 for first degrees, 3,300 for Post graduate Diplomas, 807 for Master’s degrees, and 600 for Doctorate degrees, as well as conferment of honorary degrees on three Nigerians making enduring contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
“The university is ranked 1,501 plus in the world and 8th in Nigeria, up from 10th in 2023. Prof Cecilia Emeb, dept of Linguistics and Kinsley Anukam, dept of Medical Laboratory Sciences collaborated to translate Probiotic Infographics into Igbo language (Probiotics concern live microorganisms which when introduced into the body would have health benefits),” Esimone said.
In his speech, the Chancellor of the Institution, His Majesty, Dr Da Jacob Gyaung Buba, who is also Chairman, Plateau state Council of Chiefs, expressed joy and congratulated the VC, Prof Esimone, the governing council, staff and students of the institution for ensuring peaceful environment that has enabled reasonable progress and academic advancement.
He also appreciated individuals and corporate bodies for giving adequate support to achieve success and growth of the university.
Meanwhile, one of the graduands who bagged masters degree in Igbo, African and Ancient studies, Ike Sunday Osondu who spoke to Voice of Nigeria, narrated his ordeal as he spent 7 years for a two – year Program in Unizik.
According to Osondu, when he gained admission to further his dream course at Unizik, and chose the research on the topic “Towards the Healing of Prostate Cancer among the Igbo and Ethno Medical Approach”, his supervisor, Professor Anedo Alfred Alex Onukwube, advised him to go into the area, since he studied microbiology at his first degree.
“My supervisor told me that with my microbiology background, it will help me to research on most of the herbs and roots for medical treatment of sickness in Nigeria.”
He stated that because the area was unknown in the Igbo department, he faced serious challenges of finishing his master’s degree within the limited time.
“In a course that was supposed to last for two years, I spent seven years due to my determination and my supervisor, Alfred Alex Onukwube, a professor in anthropology specializing in Sino/Afro Cultures stood his ground saying that I must continue.”
“I had to write to the school management, before they could allow me to defend my thesis at the faculty level. The school management waded in and encouraged me to further the study, describing the topic as a good one.”
“The school authority said the topic was sound research and asked me to go ahead and defend it, I successfully did.”
He reiterated that he has made the necessary arrangements to go for PhD in the study, come next academic session.
He said at his PhD, he would like to expand the scope not limiting to prostate cancer healing but other sickness.
On his part, Prof. Anedo disclosed that Osondu’s area of research was of great importance to the nation’s health sector.
“With Osondu’s background in microbiology, it will be of great area of interest to Nigerians.
“I am seeing a potential in him making a breakthrough in the field and he is likely to be the first professor in the field. I will give him every support in his research work as he forges ahead.”
The 33-year-old Ike Sunday Osondu, who is also a writer, has written books on Igbo language and culture.
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