Ambode to deliver UNILAG’s 49th convocation lecture

…As 12,638 students graduate, 245 with First Class
The University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos is set to turn out 12,638 graduating students with 245 in the First Class division in its 49th convocation.

Addressing journalists at the Senate Chamber of the University to kick-start activities lined up for the three days event slated for Wednesday May 9 to May 11, 2018, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, disclosed that Faculty of Engineering tops the list of First Class with 62 students.

According to him, 1,892 students are in the Second Class Upper division, 2,959 are in Second Class Lower division, 1,227 in Third Class, 93 with Pass Degrees and 400 have Degrees or Diplomas that are not classified.

He said this year, three students have emerged as the best graduating students with Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.97. They are Matthew Jeffrey of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science.

Others are Roy-Layinde Bosun of the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Babawale Emmanuel, Department of Early Childhood Education, Faculty of Education.

The Convocation Lecture titled: “Inclusion: The Path to a New Nation”, will be delivered by Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode , who is an alumnus of the University on Tuesday May 8, 2018 at the J.F Ade Ajayi Auditorium.

“In our determination to rebrand this University and set the stage for our vision of a new UNILAG, I am pleased to inform you that our convocation ceremonies will be taking a new dimension. For the first time, we are adopting a new style that will ease the process of conducting the ceremonies and add the grandeur that accompanies such ceremonies”, he said.

The Vice Chancellor explained that this year, the graduation ceremonies will run in two sessions, morning (9am) and afternoon (1pm) for the first two days.

He said as part of the ultimate goal to make the university the African Hub for research and innovation by 2022, the University will escalate research activities that focus on solving real life challenges adding that UNILAG is ready to provide the lead in attending to urgent national issues through evidence-based research.

” Recently, a group was commissioned to develop zero-emission cars that can be used on our Campus and in rural areas for farmers to move their produce to the markets.

He warned that research should no longer be merely for promotion purposes and challenged faculty members to undertake research geared towards addressing the myriad of challenges affecting the society.

The Vice Chancellor also disclosed that the University is graduating its first set of students in Chinese language with four of them bagging First Class.

He also added that UNILAG honorary award is not cash and carry but would only be conferred on individuals who have contributed to the nation’s development and the education sector.