By THOMPSON YAMPUT

Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has offered automatic employment to the 31 best graduating students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara.

Ododo made the pronouncement during the institution’s maiden convocation held on Saturday in Osara, in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi.

The governor, who congratulated the graduands, described them as the

touchstone of hope and beacon of light of their families, the state, and the nation at large.

He charged them to justify their certification in character and learning, and “being the drivers of our future prosperity as a people.

“I charge you to be global beaters and must exemplify the resilience that defined the establishment of this centre of higher learning by your individual contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.

“We all need to pool our resources together to ensure steady growth of these universities by sponsoring of research efforts and establishment of projects that will support knowledge and enhance infrastructural development.

“That way, we would have bequeathed enduring legacies to generations yet unborn. Let us be committed to building a sustainable legacy for our future growth,” he said.

He assured that his administration would continue to ensure enabling environment that did not compromise the standard it had attained, while promising to do more to put the university on global stage.

The Chancellor of CUSTECH, HRH. Anthony Abumere Ii, the Onijie of Ekpoma Kingdom, described his appointment as clearly showing the leadership maturity of Ododo, whom he said was intentional in his desire to lead Kogi with clarity of purpose.

The chancellor said the giant strides so far made by the university in five years, epitomised the vision of the state government to promote pragmatism and novative education.

“I can say without equivocation that we will collectively build a CUSTECH that will be a source of pride, not only to the people of Kogi but Nigeria at large,” he said.

Abumere pledged to work hard to ensure that his tenure would be marked as an era of innovation, rapid growth and inclusion.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Olu Obafemi said the growth of CUSTECH required concerted efforts and urged both the government, primary sponsor, private sector and good spirited lovers of education, to partner with the university.

He said, “We seek endowments, donations, and investments in our infrastructure, research, and scholarship programmes.”

To the graduands, he said, “As you step into the world, remember that this degree is not just a certificate for personal gain; it is a tool, and a charge, to make positive, transformative, and ethical contributions to our dear country, Nigeria, and to all of mankind.” (NAN)

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