By Timothy Ekpo
MKPAT ENIN
Akwa Ibom government has directed Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) to establish a Department of Business and Entrepreneurial Studies as the institution convoked 3, 836 graduates with 96 bagging First Class Honours.
Addressing the gathering at the 6th, 7th and 8th combined convocation ceremony, which took place at the University Mini Stadium, AKSU main campus, Ikot Akpaden in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, the Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, said AKSU, as a matter of concern should establish the Department of Business and Entrepreneurial Studies.
Represented by the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the governor explained that setting up the department would significantly help in expanding the university’s academic programmes, taking cognisance of the realities of the need to diversity employment opportunities around the world.
“This brings me to a very crucial area I would want this university to look into as part of your academic programmes, taking cognisance of the realities of the world where business development and entrepreneurship, grow the economy”, Eno advised.
Emphasising on the relevance of business and entrepreneurial development, the governor noted that it was an area that has ensured successes faster in the small and medium scale enterprises, adding that for the institution to succeed, they needed to be acquainted with business modules which could only be interpreted by the department.
He told the university that the department would equip students with requisite skills that would transit them from the university to owners of businesses and employers of labour in situations where it has become impossible for government to be the only employers.
The state chief executive pointed out that while he does not have issues with those who desire for conventional employment after graduation, there were thousands of employment opportunities in the infrastructure, tourism, healthcare services, and housing sector, among others.
The governor maintained that starting and growing a business, no matter how small, was one of the ways graduates could be moved out of poverty, high dependency on government and economic backwardness.
Eno urged the AKSU to partner government in the area of agricultural development, adding that with a functional Department of Agriculture, AKSU could key into government’s agricultural revolution as captured in the ARISE Agenda programme, noting that when Ibom Model Farm becomes operational, AKSU could tap into its services.
Responding to the needs of the university as enumerated by the vice chancellor, the governor assured that his administration will continue to support AKSU to enable it remain a major gateway for educational transformation, research development and manpower provider for national development.
He stated that the internal roads, hostel accommodation and other physical amenities, would be accorded due attention, while payment of bursaries and grants to students would be sustained as an investment in the future of youths.
The governor commended the university’s management and the Governing Council for ensuring that the vision of government in the establishment of AKSU was achieved, and urged the graduates to be good ambassadors of the University and the state.
In the 6th, 7th and 8th convocation ceremony, 96 graduates backed first class honours while six distinguished indigenes of Akwa Ibom obtained Honorary Doctorate Degrees of AKSU for their outstanding contributions to humanity and development.
They were Professor Elizabeth Ebukiba, Elder Ubong Obot, Chief Effiong Afiakurue, Dr Victor Okon, Mrs Inemesit Bassey and Mr Churchill Udoh.
Addressing the convocation, the vice chancellor, Professor Otoabasi Akpan, said the event remained the most defining moment in the life of a university, and symbolised the harvest of years of discipline, perseverance and intellectual growth, adding that the convocation was not to award degrees, but also to “honour resilience, reward excellence and usher the graduates into new phases of responsibilities and service to society”.
Akpan stated that since the last convocation in 2019, the institution had navigated one of the most challenging periods in history caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, pointing out that in spite of the disruption of academic calendars and global uncertainties, the institution had demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
The vice chancellor noted that apart from the various innovations, digital transformation and dedication to staff and students’ welfare, his administration had sustained academic activities and continued to activate the frontiers of teaching, research and community services.
Akpan said the convocation ceremony was combined to accommodate graduates of 2018/2019, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 sessions, making a total of 3,836. Breaking down the number, the vice chancellor said the 2018/2019 session had 1,133 graduates, while 2019/2020 had 1,285 graduates, and 2020/2021 session had 1,418 graduates.
He hinted that the 2018/2019 session produced 29 graduates with First Class Honours, 28 graduates bagged First Class in 2019/2020, while the 2020/2021 session had the highest numbers of 39 students who obtained First Class with Mr Israel Ine Joseph emerging the best graduating student, having a CGPA of 4.92.
Congratulating the graduates the vice chancellor said the event was a celebration of a momentous milestone in the academic journey of the out gone graduands, saying that the conferment of degrees and the presentation of prizes and honours, marked the completion of their academic journey, and thanked them on the various classes of degrees obtained.
“Among you are those who have graduated with First Class, setting an extraordinary benchmark of excellence for your peers to emulate. To all graduands, irrespective of your class of degree, take heed that it is your character, unwavering integrity, and commitment to lifelong learning that will ultimately define the trajectory and impact of your lives”, the vice chancellor advised.
He thanked the Visitor to the University, Governor Eno, for his support to the institution and assured that the university’s management will continue to interpret the vision and mission of the university.
Chancellor of the University, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, who declared the convocation open, said the institution has emerged as a pivotal entry for the cultivation of young minds, equipping them to become intellectuals useful to themselves and the society.
The pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, represented by a member of Council, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, said the institution was committed to quality education and will sustain the vision for the development of the people.
At the convocation, Elder Ubong Obot was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration; Chief Effiong Afiakurue bagged a Doctor of Hospitality Management; Mrs Inemesit Bassey bagged a Doctor of Humane Letters, and Mr Churchill Udoh bagged a Doctor of Education and Innovations.
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