Benue State University Convocates 23,060 Students, Amidst Prominent Dignitaries

Not less than 23,060 graduates of the Benue State University, Makurdi in North Central Nigeria will be awarded various Degrees, Post Graduate diplomas, masters and Ph.D. Degrees at its convocation ceremony which is slated for Saturday, 18th February, 2023.

Similarly, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State in South-South Nigeria and the founder of Dunamis Gospel Church, Evangelist Paul Enenche are also among the personalities to be conferred Honorary Doctorate Degrees by the University.

The Vice Chancellor of Benue State University, Makurdi, Professor Tor Iorapuu who disclosed this at the pre-convocation press briefing, said about 63 of the graduands earned First Class grades in their Bachelor’s degree programs.

The combined convocation ceremony which covers graduates between 2018 and 2021 sessions will also mark the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the University’s establishment.

Giving a breakdown of activities lined up for the convocation ceremony, the Vice Chancellor stated that about 20,815 Bachelor’s Degrees and 494 Post Graduate Diploma Certificates would be awarded to the graduands.

The list of Master’s Degree graduates is put at 1,605 while about 146 graduands would be conferred with Ph.D Degrees .

“At this occasion, Honorary Doctorate Degrees of the University will also be conferred on the following distinguished Nigerians.

“The Chancellor, His Gracious Majesty, King Disreal Bob-Manuel II – Doctor of Laws (D. LL), Honoris Causa, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, CON – Doctor of Laws (D. LL), Honoris Causa, Dr. Paul Idoko Enenche – Doctor of Divinity (D. Div), Honoris Causa.

“Others are Chief Christopher Chuka Edordu, OON – Doctor of Commerce (D. Com), Honoris Causa and Prince Engr. Arthur Eze, OFR – Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Honoris Causa”.

Professor Iorapuu also disclosed that the University had secured approval from the National Universities Commission, (NUC) and other relevant bodies to commence the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Pharmacy in the 2022/2023 academic session.

According to him, plans are equally underway with necessary approvals being sought by the University to also commence the Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Architecture, Geology, Building and Special Education within the shortest possible time.

With the humble beginning in 1992/93 academic session, and a population of 308 students and 149 academic staff, four faculties namely: Arts, Education, Science and Social Science, we have grown into 10 faculties (Arts, Education, Science, Social Science, Law, Environmental Science, Management Science, Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Science and Clinical Sciences; and Post-graduate School); a huge population of over 23,000 students and over 2000 teaching and non teaching staff.

He particularly lamented the killing of a 400 level Chemistry student by bandits in Gwer West Local Government and expressed concern over the increased wave of insecurity in the state which he said had taken a negative toll on the University by scaring some partners and scholars away from the Institution.

Professor Iorapuu expressed the hope that upon the Completion of work on the ongoing Research and Innovation Hub Centre, the University would become more active, competitive, and visible in research and innovation.

The Vice Chancellor said the staff of the University have continued to excel in receiving grants through the Center for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), DAAD-Germany and TETFUND.

“Only recently, BSU Academic Staff were invited to defend their research work for the TETFUND National Research Fund. The visibility of the University has increased through CEFTER in terms of collaboration with local and international community as  CEFTER now has contacts and community based groups with farmers in the 23 Local Governments of the state”. He said.

He said the University has established a strong relationship with the University of Zagreb, Croatia and would soon begin to reap the benefits of this relationship in terms of equipment, exchange of staff and training.

Olusola Akintonde