Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced a cash award of N2 million each to four overall best graduating students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.
The beneficiaries namely Azeem Ayomide Talabi, Damilola Ibrahim Adesanya and Ifeoluwa Victoria Alabi from Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Computer Engineering departments respectively, all graduated with GPA of 4.86 for the 2021/2022 academic session.
Also, the list included Adegoke Asisat Adejoke, from Pharmacology department, who emerged as the overall best graduating student with a GPA of 4.90 for the 2022/2023 session.
Announcing the cash awards on Wednesday during the grand finale of the 32nd and 33rd Convocation Ceremonies of the University held at the Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye, Abiodun also gifted the sum of N500,000 each to the other best graduating students in each Faculty of the institution.
The governor was represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, at the event where the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, and the immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of OOU, Mrs Mosunmola Belo-Olusoga, were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees.
A total of 15,428 graduands at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels were awarded different degrees for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic sessions of the University.
In his address, Abiodun described OOU as a great citadel of learning that continues to blaze the trail in the propagation of positive virtues, adding that the university had also become a beacon of knowledge at both the state and global levels.
He said his administration will continue to motivate scholarship among students and celebrate exceptional graduands in various educational institutions.
According to him, university education has become globally recognised as the fulcrum upon which national and individual developments rest.
The governor stressed that his administration had placed priority on education and committed huge resources to make the sector functional and result-oriented.
He said, “As a responsible administration, we shall continue to do our best to sustain the current status of our state as the education capital of Nigeria through deliberate policies tailored towards smooth academic activities on our campuses.”
“Our administration, while not shying away from its primary responsibilities, welcomes partnerships from public-spirited individuals and corporate organisations that have genuine concern for the development of education in the state.”
The governor promised to deploy resources within the available means towards ensuring the continued wellbeing, wellness, and welfare of all personnel in the education sector by evolving policy formulation and programme implementation to ensure the development of the sector.
Earlier in his address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Prof. Toyin Ashiru, OON, said the institution’s strides in development had been possible due to the steadfast support of the Governor, who is the Visitor to the University, as well as the goodwill extended by the alumni and various corporate entities.
Ashiru explained that since inception of the current Governing Council, the varsity has embarked on a transformative journey, thereby reshaping its physical landscape through substantial infrastructure and fortifying its academic and administrative capabilities.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, said the goal of the current administration is to place OOU as a world-class university recognised internationally as a producer of first-rate quality graduates.
Prof. Agboola, who disclosed that OOU currently ranks 15th nationwide, noted that the university has added 10 new programmes to its pool of career paths in its further quest for academic excellence.
Giving a breakdown of the graduands for the combined convocation, the Vice-Chancellor said a total of 11,900 students graduated for undergraduate programmes for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic sessions.
Other categories of graduands, he added, include 175 First Class, 3,463 Second Class (Upper Division), 6,185 Second Class (Lower Division), 1,535 Third Class Division, 146 Pass Degree, 280 unclassified Degrees and 116 from outstanding sessions.
“We also have 1,199 graduands from our affiliates, as well as a total of 1,099 from our Centre for Continuing Education programmes (comprising 789 Advanced Certificate and 310 Degree programmes). For Postgraduate programmes, a total of 1,230 graduands were awarded Postgraduate Degrees and Diplomas of the University: 1,118 graduands awarded Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s Degrees, while 112 graduands were awarded PhD Degree,” he further revealed.
