President Bola Tinubu has said the socioeconomic and political problems his administration inherited are gradually being addressed, acknowledging the difficulties the citizens are going through.
Tinubu stated this yesterday in an address he presented during the 12th convocation ceremony of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State.
Represented by the director of extension, ministry of agriculture and food security, Dr Deola-Tayo Lordbanjou, he explained that the administration had accepted the challenge of “confronting our problems.”
“There are no easy fixes for these problems, but I do not doubt that our people will gladly rejoice when measures fashioned out to address them are fully implemented” he maintained.
The President, speaking further, congratulated the graduands, their parents, guardians, friends, and well-wishers ” for their remarkable achievements.”
“My conviction is that you will excel in your chosen careers and profession, having been found worthy in character and learning to earn these degrees, ” said the visitor of the university.
In a remark, Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti said the government is dedicated to enhancing the state’s learning institutions and congratulated both the university and the students on the occasion.
Represented by his deputy, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, he encouraged the graduands to brace up for the challenges before them, saying the government is expecting them to contribute meaningfully to the state.
The vice chancellor (VC) of the over 30 years university, Prof Maduebibisi Iwe, in an address said paucity of fund had been a major brick wall to the advancement of the university.
Iwe said: “It is still on record that the university is one of those that commenced operations without an initial government grant, fumingly reemphasizing the urgency of the funding.”
“We shall be happy to have government address this need without further delay, especially as we are caught up with spiral inflation every moment.”
“Compounded by our rural location,the provision of essential amenities is a daunting task, given the elevated costs associated with development in such settings.”
According to the 6th VC of the specialized university, despite the challenges, the university had made remarkable achivements which had earned it both local an international awards.
“Our journey towards digital transmission, treamlining university process and enhancing information dissemination is moving towards success, the slow pace in embracing it by the staff and students not withstanding.”
He urged the 5,246 graduands to be professionally competent and confident persons as the university had inculcated murals that will make good citizens of them.
“We’re graduating a total of 5,246 graduands belonging to 2009/2010 to 2023/2024 academic years at the undergraduate and postgraduate,” he noted, adding that 163 graduated in First Class.
Iwe, who lauded President Bola Tinubu for giving the university waiver for staff recruitment, urged the graduands “to be good of ambassadors of the university for the rest of your lifetime”.
Chancellor of the university and Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, speaking, lamented that the visitor was yet to addressed the challenges of the university which he pointed out to him at the last convocation
“I sincerely appeal to the visitor to kindly look into the problems as we have implicit confidence that your directive will bring succor to this university,” he monarch emphasized.
In a response, the best graduating student, Paul Chibuike of the department of Bio-Chemistry, who scored 4.92 GPA attributed the feat to God’s intervention, and dedication and discipline.
