The federal government has inaugurated Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin as the Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
The appointment is with a mandate to improve the fortunes of the University towards achieving the core mandate of the 40-year-old institution.
The visitor to the University, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, decorated Oba Ewuare at the 13th Convocation/investiture Ceremony of the University on Saturday in Abuja.
Chief Press Secretary to the Benin monarch, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, in a statement, on Saturday in Benin City, said the royal father was also conferred Honoris Causa, Doctor in Public Administration by the institution.
In his acceptance speech, the Chancellor called on the federal government to consider robust funding for the University and implored the government to be cautious of establishing universities with dual roles towards ensuring that standards are upheld.
Oba Ewuare II who promised to carry out his responsibility diligently, also appealed to the government to incorporate graduates from NOUN in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme by amending the Act that established the institution.
The traditional ruler advised the graduates to be exemplary as NOUN alumni and explore entrepreneurship.
The Oba commended the management of the University for its commitment to service which serves as an inspiration to the University, where a total of 22,175 graduates bagged various degrees and merit awards.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Olufemi Peters said the convocation marked a milestone for graduands at the event, which he said heralds a new era for those seeking knowledge regardless of their academic background.
He also stated that the University under his leadership has made it a policy to acquire and use only locally made vehicles from Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company in a bid to promote local content.
The Visitor to the institution, President Tinubu, sued for cutting-edge multidisciplinary research that would benefit Nigerian citizens and Nigeria in his address.
The president assured that the federal government will continue to promote distance learning, which he said has been expanded to accommodate private sector involvement to create access and promote quality as well as affordable modes of tertiary education.
