By Celestine Ihejirika, Jalingo
Three eminent Nigerians have been conferred with prestigious honorary doctorate Degrees award from Kwararafa University, Wukari, Taraba State.
Conferring the awards at university pavilion, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shishi Zhema revealed that the 2017-2024 second and combined convocation of the institution will witness conferment of Doctorate awards to three distinguished Nigerians namely Chief David Sabo Kente, Engr. Andrew Yakubu and His Royal Majesty Mathew Oguche Akpa II.
In his convocation speech, the vice chancellor Prof. Zhema apologized to graduates over delays faced in receiving their original certificates pointing out that convocation covers eight graduating sets noting that the institution is committed to holding future convocation annually.
He disclosed that on assumption of office, his leadership focused on enhancing the institution’s policies and vision as other new policies and improvements were aimed at continuous development and paving the way for a brighter future for students and the community they serve.
While he appreciated the state governor Dr. Agbu Kefas for numerous support in education sector, the vice chancellor commended the visitor, His royal Majesty, the Aku-uka Dr. Ishaku Adda Matakishwen, trustees, governing council, parents and stakeholders whose dedication has enable the continued progress and success. “I want to commend the awardees of honoris causa in person of the Attah Igala, His royal majesty Mathew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Apka II, Chief David Sabo Kente and Engr. Yakubu Laar Andrew for their achievements in various aspects of human endeavor”, he stated.
Responding on behalf of awardees, he newly conferred honorary doctorate degrees award, Chief Dr. David Sabo Kente thanked the Kwararafa University and community for bestowed on them with the prestigious award.
According to Dr. Kente, the award conferred on him alongside a renowned First class paramount ruler/chairman Kogi State traditional council/chancellor Kwararafa University, the Attah Igala as well as former managing Director Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Dr. Engr. Andrew Yakubu was his best moment hence the award came from academic background.
Chief Dr. Kente who is also a notable chieftain member of All Progressive Congress (APC), a 2023 gubernatorial aspirant in Taraba state and renowned philanthropist thanked governor Kefas, his deputy Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi Alkali, friends and well-wishers from across board who come to witnessed the historic event, promising that the honor done them by the university will be reciprocated as the institution need intervention to move forward.
On the goodwill messages, the Ata Igala HRM Mathew Akpa II urged the students to be worthy ambassadors of Kwararafa university and bring forward values of establishing the institution.
Dr. Andrew Yakubu, who is also the pro-chancellor of the university lauded management and staff for making progress and urged them to sustain the tempo. “I’m proud to be part and parcel of the Kwararafa kingdom, advocating for an inclusion of a department of historical language to enable the kingdom from going extinct.
Also to chairman board of trustees and former Deputy governor, Taraba State Dr. Samuel Gani and visitor of the university, HRM Dr. Ishaku Adda Ali, the Aku-uka of Kwararafa kingdom remarks the day as significant in the history of the institution, commending management and staff for organizing a convocation of this nature seven years after while appealed for support of Kwararafa university.
Meanwhile the state governor Dr. Agbu Kefas has congratulated the graduates for successful completion despite challenges.
The governor, represented by his deputy Alh. Aminu Alkali reminded the outgone graduates that certificate did not end here but a tool to impact in their various families, communities and the larger society as the present administration places emphasis on education through introduction of free and compulsory education as well slashed tuition fee in tertiary intuitions to 50% in the state
