By Raphael Okhiria
A total of 385 students of the University of Benin, recorded First Class in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic sessions.
Outgoing Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Lilian Salami, disclosed this during a pre-convocation press conference at the institution premises on Monday in Benin City.
During the period, the vice-chancellor disclosed 6,982 graduates will also be conferred with Second Class Upper degree at the convocation ceremony which is scheduled for Friday 22nd November, as part of the activities to mark the 49th/50th Convocation and 54th Founders’ Day.
Similarly, a total of 11,199 graduates recorded Second Class, while that of third class is 525, 316 successfully bagged PhD and 1,104 masters degrees.
Prof. Salami, listed her achievements to include the provision of additional desktop computers for computer-based examinations for the ICT Centre and over 200 desktops and laptop computers distributed across departments and units to facilitate cutting-edge technology-driven assignments.
Others are the installation of multi-media Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) at the renovated Akin Deko Auditorium and the Senate Chambers; erection of several hostels and other buildings; and the establishment of centres of excellence, amongst others.
Her achievements also include the Ultra-modern 40 room office building. This project was sponsored by NPDC. Shell Legacy Building for Centre of Excellence in Geo-Sciences and Petroleum Engineering. This beautifully constructed edifice, sponsored by SHELL/NNPC, boasts of a computerised lecture theatre, a mini hall, library and research laboratories.
“Completion of CERHI building extension, comprising of offices and lecture theatres with standard learning facilities, sponsored by The World Bank.”
“The second Senator Daisy Ehanire-Danjuma Legacy Hostel with installation of Solar-facilities. The award of a third hostel by Senator Daisy Danjuma which is on-going. The solar facilities have already been provided. Two hostels for male and female respectively, sponsored by NNPC which have just been commissioned. A new female hostel, sponsored by TETFUND”, she added.
She, however, lamented that the poor electricity supply, which has become a national issue, has in no small measure affected the university’s activities.
According to her, “The intervention of the Alumni has been of immense assistance in providing an alternate electricity source (solar). Projects executed by this administration dot the entire landscape.”
The vice chancellor further disclosed that three eminent personalities will be conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degrees. They include: Mrs. Veronica Igbe, Chief Leemon Ikpea, CON; and Dr. Kingsley Momodu.
While Mrs. Igbe will be honoured with the Honorary Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of her enterprise and pioneering role in industrial fish business in Nigeria as well as her philanthropy, Dr. Ikpea will be conferred with the Honorary Doctor of Business Administration in acknowledgement of his accomplishments in business and support to the university while Dr. Momodu, will be conferred with the Honorary Doctor of Science, for his exemplary performance in mobilising resources and facilities for the school.
Prof. Lilian Salami, whose tenure expires on December 1, 2024, has been in charge of UNIBEN as the Vice Chancellor nearly five years ago.
About Author
