Gbenro Adesina
The University of Ibadan (UI), held its 2021 Convocation ceremonies and 73rd Foundation Day between Monday 15 and Wednesday 17, November 2021, where it graduated 13,103 students across all levels. Of the 8,451 First Degree graduating students, 265 bagged First Class, 2,160 bagged 2nd Class (Upper Division), 4,670 made 2nd Class (Lower Division), 974 made 3rd Class, 95 pass and 287 unclassified. 21 students graduated from affiliated institutions and two from the Distance Learning Centre (DLC). At the higher degree level, the graduands are: D.Litt.-1, PhD-481, M.Phil-20, Masters (Academics), 3567, Masters (Professional), 489 and PGD-71.
The convocation was trailed with controversies at undergraduate level due to the institution’s decision to allow only candidates with First Class to physically attend the ceremony, and students with 2nd Class (Upper Division), downward were asked to join virtually. The decision was taken to curtail the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. The affected graduating candidates were not happy at this decision and they accused the institution’s management of discriminating against them. They argued that it was unfair for the university to charge them same graduation fees with First Class candidates when the school knew that they would be disallowed from being physically present. One of the affected First Degree graduands said, “This is really unfair. The most annoying thing is that during the convocation, they were asking us to take a virtual bow for the VC, who cannot see us. Of what relevance is the bow to us or the VC, who did not know that we exist at that material time? My candid advice is that they should not let such thing repeat itself”.
However, the lively Foundation Day, which doctoral candidates and other members of the community look forward to was casually observed on Wednesday November 17, 2021. The programme, which was attended by over 20 Vice Chancellors from both public and private universities in Nigeria, was low key and devoid of the regular fanfare and colorful activities. Activities like rendition of classical songs by the university choir, the usual hustle and bustle of local bands, exchange of pleasantries among the graduands, taking personal and group photographs in and outside the graduation hall, shaking of hands and hugging in excitement as well as colourful displays, were conspicuously absent. Most importantly, the graduands missed the VC golden handshakes and one in a life time posing for photograph with the VC and other principal officers.
Shining at the Foundation Day was an erudite Professor of History from the University of Texas at Austin, Oluwatoyin Falola, whom the institution’s Chancellor could not resist an handshake with after conferring a Degree of Doctor of Letter (D.Litt.), which he obtained by examination. This is the first higher doctorate by examination in the Humanities to be awarded by this university . Equally celebrated are three visual impaired doctoral graduands. They were guided to take photographs with the VC.
Speaking at the occasion, the chancellor of the institution, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakah III, the Sultan of Sokoto, commended the tireless efforts of Buhari’s administration towards addressing the various economic issues. He pointed out that the federal government had commenced the implementation of some innovative reforms in the public sector with the aim of improving efficiency and service delivery in the face of the economic downturn that the nation is experiencing, which in-turn was occasioned by recession. “I assure you of the collective goodwill of the generality of the citizens towards the success of the government to attain the developmental goals that hopefully will result from these reforms, since the citizenry will also be the beneficiary thereof”, he added.
Enjoining Nigerians to join the federal government in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic by adhering strictly to its protocol, he appealed to everyone to take advantage of the vaccination exercise and be vaccinated. “As nations continue to battle and put measures in place to recover from this pandemic, all hands must be on deck in the university and by extension the nation to overcome the economic recession being experienced”, he pointed out.
In his speech, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief John E. K. Odigie-Oyegun excitedly stated, “Today marks a rare privilege as it is my maiden outing at the Founder’s Day. I was inducted into this position on the 19th of April, 2021 when a new council was inaugurated by the Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu. From the outset, I knew that I had a challenging assignment before me. First, the University of Ibadan is a great institution, so expectations are naturally high. Second, the unusual and difficult happening of last year created, for a while, an atmosphere of uncertainty in the university community. In addition, as an active alumnus, I have a responsibility of ensuring that peace and tranquility prevails on our campus”.
Odigie-Oyegun paid a glowing tribute to the entire university community for the quiet and sedate atmosphere they have all contributed in re-establishing.
He highlighted two significant events which occurred in the very recent past, starting with the appointment of a substantive Bursar, E. A. Popoola, a position that had been vacant for almost a year. “Critical was the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor. The governing council in its wisdom, restarted the process afresh and at the end of a rigorous, free, fair and transparent process, we now have a new Vice Chancellor, the 13th Vice Chancellor of this institution, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, who assumed duty on the 1st of November, 2021″, he explained.
He made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government for an intervention fund for the institution, which will be deployed to the infrastructural upgrading and replacement, both in the academic sector, staff welfare, provision of decent accommodation, upgrading of office facilities, equipping of labouratories. “Your excellency, our respects visitor, we have no choice but to come knocking for a special rescue mission of this “crown jewel” of tertiary education in Nigeria”, he added.
In his speech, the institution’s VC, Professor Kayode Adebowale said, “Today, 481 candidates, from the various disciplines would be awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The Faculty of Education stands on top of the list with a total of 87 Doctoral graduands followed by the Faculty of Science with 70 graduands. The others are: Faculty of Arts, 62, Faculty of Agriculture, 59, Faculty of the Social Sciences, 43, Technology, 26, Institute of Education, 25, Faculty of Public Health, 20Faculty of Pharmacy, 13 and Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, 12”.
Others were: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 12, Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies, 12, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, 11, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, 9, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, 7, Institute of African Studies, 5, Faculties of Law and Environmental Design and Management, 3, Faculty of Dentistry, 1 and Faculty of Child Health, 1.
Adebowale specially recognized Dr Bibiana Ifeoma Okoli of the Department of Special Education, the first female student with visual impairment to earn a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the institution. She was supervised by Prof Ikechukwu Ambrose Nwazuoke.
He listed some challenges the school is facing to include: insufficient power supply, internet connectivity, maintenance of existing building and infrastructure and pressing need for expansion. Elaborating on the problem of power supply, he said, “A significant amount of our resources is expended on powering the university. Even with that, we are not able to provide enough hours of power supply”.
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