By CHARLES IWUOHA

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday tasked federal universities in the country to pursue sustainable funding to tackle pressing infrastructure challenges.

The president also said his administration has embarked on reforms geared towards revitalizing higher Education in Nigeria, reiterating that working in partnership with universities would improve funding, upgrade infrastructure, support curettage research, and enhanced the welfare of staff and students.

Tinubu, who stated this during the 37th convocation ceremony of federal Universities of Technology, FUTO, Owerri, Imo State

The President, who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, DUFUHS, Professor Jesse Uneke, stated that the convocation ceremony by its nature and character is a testament of hard work, perseverance, and commitment to academic excellence, which has ultimately earned the students award of the prestigious degrees of the university.

Tinubu noted that our universities remain vital national asset in advancing growth and development, saying that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is ever committed to strengthen institutions through partnerships with industry stakeholders to ensure the continue to produce skilled man power, drive innovation and contribute meaningfully to national transformation and global competitiveness.

He extended warm felicitations to the parents, relatives, and friends of the graduands for the momentous occasion, adding that the sacrifices endured and resources invested in their children and wards to acquire University education with requisite skills to become not only useful to themselves, but also impactful contributors to Nigeria and global community.

“In the past two years, this administration has recorded remarkable and bold achievements across federal universities in the country.

“Notable among the Federal Government key interventions are increase investment in infrastructure, especially in the area of development of solar energy solutions to power Federal Universities through energizing education program (EEP), release of 50 billion naira for earned academic allowances to federal universities.”

The Chancellor of the University, HRH Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa, said he is quite delighted to share in the joy of the new graduands, who have been found worthy in character and learning to be awarded the prestigious degree of the foremost University of Technology (FUTO), noting that FUTO has in the last four decades led the vanguard of institutions dedicated to technological education and training in Nigeria.

He commended the 8th substantive Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. (Mrs) Nnenna N. Oti, for taking the university to unprecedented heights in academics, research and innovation.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and chairman of the 13th Governing Council, Sen. Jack Tilley-Gyado, added that the current University administration has in the last few years recorded impressive quantum of achievements in virtually all areas that define and constitute development in the system.

Earlier in her address, the Vice Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. (Mrs.) Oti, expressed joy and warmly welcomed the guests, students, and well wishers to the 37th Convocation ceremony of the University. She also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the State Governor, Minister of Education, Information, among other dignitaries, for gracing the convocation ceremony.

Award of academic prizes were offered to 2023/2024 Academic session (External prizes) such as Senator Oluremi Tinubu Girl Child Award for the best graduating female students in various departments, FUTO Women Association Prize for the overall best female, graduating student, Chief and Lolo Godwin Uwalaka Eze prize for best graduating student in the department of Agricultural Economics, among other prizes.

There were goodwill messages from prominent institutions and eminent Nigerians, including Prof. Chukwuma Eze (SAN) Vice Chancellor of Imo state University ,Vice Chancellor David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, representative of Prof Andrew Harunna, Secretary General, Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigeria Universities; Dr Gift Eze, representing the Minister of Information, Science and Technology, Paul Obe from Federal Ministry of Education Abuja, Obinna Nwachukwu representing the Executive Secretary of NUC, Engr Tony Onwubiko representing Minister of Works David Umahi.