The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (UNIZIK), Prof. Joseph Ahaneku,Tuesdaydisclosed that no fewer than 70 best graduating students in the institution will be presented with prizes for excellent performance in the various faculties of the university.

Addressing Journalists at the university auditorium in Awka on the activities lined up for the 11^thconvocation ceremony of the university, the VC pointed out that 39 females were among the best students to be issued with certificates of excellence.

He said that the convocation ceremony had already kicked offon Mondaywith an inter-denominational service held at the University auditorium and would be rounded offon Sundaywith a thanksgiving service.

“We are to celebrate the excellence of students. We tell our students that they are in the institution to improve on their character and acquire knowledgebefore going to showcase themselves to the outside world. It is our practice to encourage students to work hard and not rely on acquiring certificate through the window,” the VC said.

He further announced that graduates will be awarded first degree certificateson Thursdaywhile award of Post Graduate and Honorary Degrees will holdon Friday.

Though the VC reserved giving out the total number of first degree graduates tillThursday, he however, announced that the university would award PhD to no fewer than 200 graduates and 1, 000 Masters Degree certificates.

Among those to be awarded with Doctorate and Honorary Degrees are the former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani for his contribution to national unity and development of Nigeria.

Others are Clement Nwogbo who endowed a professional chair in Engineering and absorbing graduates from the university, Alhaji Shehu Malami, the first Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa among others.

Ahaneku said that they have maintained uninterrupted academic calendar in the past 14 years where final year students graduated on record time.

Other activities lined up for the programme are a convocation lecture to be deliveredon Wednesdayby the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on the topic: ‘National Unity, Governance and fight Against Corruption’.

According to him, this assurance and the minimal tuition fees paid in the university has formed the basis for attractingmore students to the university adding that the institution has the principle of admitting students based on merit.

Reeling out some of his achievements in the university since mounting the saddle in 2014, the VC said efforts are being made to ensure that all students stay in the university school hostels, by ensuring that hostels at the school of Pharmacy in Agulu, Teaching Hospital, Nnewi are completed so that the students can have a full feel of the university environment as they pass through the institution.

He added that through the NEEDS intervention fund and the TEF fund, the university has sponsored lecturers for capacity building.

Furthermore, he hailed the state Governor, Willie Obiano, Authur Eze and Clement Nwogbo for helping to enhance movement of staff and materials of the university through the donation of buses.

He stated that “Obiano specifically provided security to ensure the protection of lives and property of students and staff. All this are commendable and we have been working harmoniously with Anambra State government.”

He further said that his administration has instituted a policy to monitor lecturers’ attendance to ensure that they follow the stipulated regulation, adding that there is a penalty for any defaulting lecturer.

He, however, appealed to well meaning Nigerians to assist the institution in building more hostels within the university and its environs through Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.