BY DAYO ADESULU
Osun State University is set to honour a quartet – the Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, Zenith Bank boss, Mr. Jim Ovia, Chairman of Bi-Courtney Group of companies, Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN and the CEO, Nike Centre for Arts and Culture, Mrs. Oyenike Monica Okundaye with doctorate degrees during its 8th convocation.
Speaking at the preconvocation press conference in Osogbo, the Vice Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Labode Popoola said the quartet were identified and honoured based on their success stories and contributions to the university education system and humanity.
He said: “In fulfilling the mission of creating a unique institution that’s committed to the pursuit of academic innovation, skill-based training and a tradition of excellence in teaching, research and community service, the Osun state university will on Saturday 21st September confer honorary degrees on key Nigerians.
“Those to be conferred with the honorary degrees include, the Federal Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola; the Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia; the Chief Exeutive Officer of Nike Center for Arts and Culture, Mrs. Oyenike Monica Okundaye; and the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Group of companies, Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN, OFR.
“The awards is based on their success stories and contributions to the university education system in Nigeria and humanity in general.”
Professor Popoola also disclosed that the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will deliver the convocation lecture at UNIOSUN 8th Convocation Lecture, titled, Six decades of Chequered Nationhood: Nigeria still holds the key to Africa’s development at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola auditorium on the main campus, Osogbo.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor disclosed that one thousand eight hundred and fourteen students with forty-nine of them will be graduating with a first-class honors degrees in various academic disciplines.
In the breakdown, Popoola said: “One thousand eight hundred and fourteen students comprises of nine (9) students graduated with a pass, one hundred and ninety four (194) students graduated with a third class and eight hundred and ninety two (892) students graduated with a second class lower.
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He continued: “Six hundred and seventy (670) students graduated with second class upper, and forty nine (49) students with fist-class degrees.
“This brings the total number of first degree graduates of the university to Nine thousand nine hundred and fifty-five (9,955) since its first graduation ceremony in 2011.”
While explaining UNIOSUN the success story of UNIOSUN, Popoola said: “We have over the last one year deployed series of success-driven techniques that have continued to yield positive results.
“This is evident in our numerous achievements. Part of our success story in the recent time is the establishment of the Global Affairs and Sustainable Development Institute (GASDI), which was established and approved by the Senate of Osun State University in October, 2018.
“The mandate is to address the issues of sustainable development in a unique, creative and efficient ways that can fast-track the attainment of the SDGs and unleash development in different communities.
“I am glad to tell you now that the institute is now set to become a centre of excellence in postgraduate teaching, research, and societal development in all areas of sustainable development”
Popoola also said that the recent birth and approval of two faculties and new departments in the College of Agriculture is also worthy of mention, as the University now has Faculty of Agricultural Production and Management (FAPM).
He said: “The Faculty comprises of the Department of Agronomy (AGY), Department of Animal Ssciences (ANS), Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness Management (AEM) and Department of Agricultural Extension & Rural Development (ARD).
“Also the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Management (RNRM) comprises of the Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Management (FAM), Department of Forest Production and Productions (FPP), Department of Social and Environmental Forestry (SEF) and the Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management (WLM).”