Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has challenged Nigerian Universities to rise to the demands of the 21st century and be in the forefront of driving innovations that will impart positively on citizens of the state and the country at large.
Governor Ikpeazu gave the challenge, Sunday, while speaking at the maiden Convocation ceremony ,Award of Degrees and Prizes of the Clifford University,Ihie, Isialangwa North LGA.
He stated that Abia and Nigeria are in dare need of collaboration from both public and private institutions to mitigate challenges of the present day.
“It is not just enough to run programmes, train children and churn out graduates, you must begin to think about how to rise above above challenges of the 21st century.
“What are the new discoveries that are going to come in this University. What are the interventions that this University will make that will change the way we think in Abia state and in Nigeria and the world over”, Ikpeazu said.
The Governor while noting that the sixty six graduating students of the institution have a lot of responsibilities on their shoulders,advised them to uphold the principles of integrity,hardwork and excellence adding that the world is in need of men with good moral standing.
Governor Ikpeazu who announced the sum of 100 thousand naira and a Masters Degree Scholarship for the best graduating student in the Department of Biochemistry and 50 thousand for best graduation students in other faculties as well as 200 thousand naira for Twenty Freshmen and 30 thousand naira a month for twenty indigent students, assured of the commitment and support of his administration to the Institution.
In his address, Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Chimezie Omeonu
expressed delight that the Institution is for the first time since its inception is graduating students who have been found worthy in character and learning and commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his immense support to the university.
The event featured a Convocation Lecture on the topic, “Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Health and Tertiary Education, Challenges and Concern:A paradigm shift” by Professor Arthur Chuemere of the University of Port Harcourt,Rivers State.
