A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Lagos State, Mr Bola Tinubu, has described the state of the nation as difficult but encouraging.

He said this at the combined convocation ceremony of the University of Abuja, where he spoke on behalf of the recipients of the university’s honorary degrees.

Honorary degrees were awarded to the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar; former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former Vice President, Dr. Alex Exwueme who was represented by his daughter.

Asiwaju Tinubu thanked the university for the honour and encouraged everyone to see the convocation as the chance for a new beginning in the task of nation building.

The APC leader was of the view that the present situation facing the country requires all Nigerians to make sacrifices and persevere.

Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Micheal Adikwu, encouraged the graduates to take active roles in pulling the country out of its present economic downturn.

The occasion was to formally give awards to graduate and postgraduate students from 2009/2010 session to the 2014/2015 session in the University of Abuja.

Over 25,000 persons bagged various degrees, with eight students completing their courses with first class honours and 2,324 students with second class upper division.

Traditional rulers, federal ministers, federal lawmakers, and captains of industry, all gathered for the combined convocation ceremony. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows Tinubu.