Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
A total of 1,324 students graduated from Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City, Edo State, with 144 of them earning First Class degrees.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. John Aroye Okhuoya, disclosed this during the institution’s 22nd Convocation Ceremony.
According to Okhuoya, the graduating class comprised 1,059 undergraduate and 265 postgraduate students.
He said 144 graduands bagged First Class degrees, while 490 graduated with Second Class Upper, 377 with Second Class Lower and 48 with Third Class degrees.
He said, “Today, we graduate a total of 1,324 students, made up of 1,059 undergraduates and 265 postgraduates, of whom 144 made First Class, 490 Second Class Upper, 377 Second Class Lower and 48 Third Class degrees.
“This year’s graduation cuts across nine faculties, namely the Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, Arts and Education, Basic Medical Sciences, Computing, Engineering, Law, Science, and Social and Management Sciences, as well as the School of Postgraduate Studies.”
Advising the graduands, the Chancellor of the university, Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa, urged them to deploy the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies toward the development of the nation.
She said, “Our world is confronted with moral decline, economic uncertainties, technological disruption and increasing social divisions.
“Yet I remain hopeful because I see before me a generation equipped to provide solutions.
“You have not been trained merely to seek employment; you have been prepared to create opportunities, solve problems and become agents of positive transformation wherever God places you.”
Also speaking, the President of Benson Idahosa University, Bishop Feb Idahosa, admonished the graduands to be good ambassadors of the institution.
He said, “Remember that you are ambassadors of character, competence and Christ.
“Novara Class of 2026, your story does not end here. In many ways, it begins here.
“The university has given you knowledge; now give the world solutions. The university has given you a platform; now use your influence responsibly.
“The university has given you a community; now build communities wherever you go. The university has given you a foundation; now build something upon it that will outlive you.
“As I always say, I am looking forward to seeing you in the corridors of power. When we meet, I will shake your hands and say, ‘Congratulations, you made it.’”
