From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The VIce Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Olayemi Akunwumi said the University is set to confer various degrees to over 2,738 graduands in the University.
While briefing the press on Monday at the main campus of the University to mark the beginning of the ceremonies of this year’s combined 6th and 7th convocation ceremony, Prof. Akunwumi said out of the 2,738, 2,511 graduands will be conferred with first degrees, 99 master degrees and 128 postgraduate Diploma respectively.
According to the VC, the breakdown of the graduands shows that in the 6th set, 28 graduands bagged First class, 319 second class upper, 736 second class honours Lower division, 197 division, third Class honours, while 3 had Pass Degrees.
In the same vein, the 7th set, 33 bagged 1st class, 386 second class upper, 668 second class lower division, 250 third class, 1 pass degrees respectively.
Prof. Olayemi disclosed that as at 2023 times higher education ranking, the Federal University Lokoja fall within 51st-60th bracket out of 120 Universities in Sub Saharan Universities while it ranked 17th position amongst Nigerian Universities and 9th position amongst Federal Universities.
He pointed out that two inaugural lectures were held before he assumed office in 2021 but has recorded 15 inaugural lectures within this period which according to him is a university culture and a way of showcasing the academic achievements of the institution.
Prof. Akunwumi further disclosed that the University has commenced the Department of Medicine, Nursing, Engineering, while Agriculture, law, Pharmacy, Psychology and Medical laboratory sciences programs are in the pipeline.
He explained that the College of Health Sciences of the University has taken off fully with pioneer Students now in 200 level, disclosed that maiden students admission exercise into the Engineering and Nursing program will take place in the 2023/2024 academic session.
The Vice Chancellor thanked former President Mohammadu Buhari for the approval to convert Federal Medical Hospital Lokoja to federal Teaching Hospital, to be used as Teaching Hospital for Medical program.
The University under his administration according to Prof. Akunwumi constructed road networks, entrepreneurship centre, 12 blocks of lecture halls and the University health Centre which according to him is now open to the public.
He pointed out the connection of electricity from the Lokoja power substation to the University through the national grid; procurement of a fire fighting service truck, construction of security building, renovation of the male and female hostels at the Adankolo campus for the MB;BS students were carried.
