Buhari promises improved budgetary allocation to education
Francis Okoye
Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday promised his Administration would increase the education budget in order to boost the education sector.
Mr President made this promise in Port Harcourt, at the 30th Convocation Ceremony of the University Of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
According to him, education was key to national development, and assured that his administration would provide new facilities, rehabilitate and upgrade existing ones.
President Buhari, represented by Prof. Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary of Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), also stated that the newly approved curricula in universities would address issues of skills acquisition and employment.
“This administration will continue to support the Nigerian university system in ensuring that learning, teaching and research facilities are constantly upgraded and updated to compete with other global institutions.
“We will also strengthen the regulatory and funding agencies and position them for improved and effective service delivery.
“I call for support of corporate organisations, alumni associations, philanthropists and development partners to bridge the gap in government funding of our universities,” he said.
The president said that over 12,000 university teachers had benefitted from government capacity building programmes.
Earlier, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT said that 18,363 students who graduated from 55 departments in 16 faculties were drawn from 2011 to 2014 academic sessions.
He said that 13,382 students graduated with First degrees, while 2,214 received Post-Graduate Diploma certificates.
According to him, 2,616 graduated with Master degrees, while 441 students graduated with doctorate degrees.
“A total of 8,602 bagged Second Class Lower divisions, 1,972 had Third Class, while eight students graduated with Pass.
“Also, 324 obtained MBBS, 38 bagged B. Pharm degrees, while 19 graduated with BDS in Dentistry,” he said.
A breakdown of the number showed that 41 graduated with First Class, while 2,389 graduated in the Second Class Upper Division category.
The vice-chancellor said the institution would continue to produce quality graduates capable of competing favourably with their local and international counterparts.
Highlights of the occasion include, the inauguration of Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mohammad Bashir, as the third Chancellor of the institution, Honorary degrees were conferred on Chief Solomon Ogba, President of Athletic Federation of Nigeria; Mr Herbert Wigwe, Managing Director of Access Bank, and Mr Nnaeto Orazulike, Chairman of Genesis Group.