The Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Kogi State on Saturday held its maiden convocation ceremony during which 266 graduands received their various class of degrees and prizes.
The graduands comprised 132 students from the pioneer set (2023/2024), and 134 from the second set (2024/2025).
Speaking at the event, the Visitor to the university, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo expressed his delight to be part of the celebration of the first convocation of the university.
He said CUSTECH was established to end the pains of unending search for admission into Nigerian Universities by qualified prospective students of Kogi State origin.
“It is therefore in order to widen the spectrum of our teaming young generation of students that this University was founded in 2020,” the governor said.
He said the graduation event was a clear indication that the State Government’s massive investment in CUSTECH, and other universities in the State are yielding dividends as the graduates go into the labour market to maximally contribute to national development.
“Today therefore marks a significant milestone in the life of our graduands, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements,” he said.
Governor Ododo paid glowing tributes to his predecessor and founder of the university, former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, for the foresight that birthed CUSTECH over five years ago.
“His dream, an idea that came like a mustard seed has come to be the big oak tree that we savour today, to the glory of God.
“Today, that dream stands tall and dignified in academic growth.
“We inherited the vision and, by the grace of God, we have improved the structure, broadened the scope, and raised the standard to make CUSTECH a world-class institution,” he said.
The governor reiterated that education remains the bedrock of the state development, thanking the people of the state for their support in upholding the noble idea of the university.
“Let me therefore use this occasion to challenge those who mean well for humanity, and are blessed with resources, to rise up to the challenge of investible future for our youths.
“If we desire to have world class University, we all need to pool our resources together to ensure steady growth of these Universities by sponsoring of research efforts and establishment of projects that will support knowledge and enhance infrastructural development.
“That way, we would have bequeathed enduring legacies to generations yet unborn.
While addressing the graduands, Governor Ododo congratulated them and their parents for their successful completion of their studies.
“As the touchstone of hope and beacon of light, you must justify your certification in character and learning.
“You are the drivers of our future prosperity as a people.
“I charge you to be global beaters.
“You must exemplify the resilience that defined the establishment of this centre of higher learning by your individual contribution to the socio-economic development of the country,” he admonished them.
The governor then announced automatic employment for 20 best graduating students from each faculty, saying that “their hard work deserves recognition.”
The Governor also expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift intervention during the abduction of CUSTECH students earlier this year.
“Some of the students graduating today could have been in the hands of enemies of progress.
“Because of your decisive leadership, they are alive, free, and graduating with pride,” he noted solemnly, while honoring the memory of students who lost their lives in the incident.
He also appreciated the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the quality of supervision over established programmes and the speedy accreditation granted the in all the programmes put forward for accreditation.
“I also thank the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for collaboration in ensuring the speedy infrastructural development of the University.
The Founder of the institution, former Governor Yahaya Bello, lauded Governor Ododo for sustaining and expanding the vision that led to the establishment of three state universities during his administration.
Also speaking, the Chancellor of CUSTECH, HRH Anthony Ehizojie Abumere II, the Onojie of Ekpoma, thanked the state government for founding him worthy of being appointed as the first Chancellor if the university.
While promising to render quality service to CUSTECH, he encouraged the new graduates to become ambassadors of innovation, entrepreneurship, and responsible citizenship.
The Vice Chancellor of CUSTECH, Professor Abdurahman Asipita Salawu described the convocation as a remarkable one in the life of the young university.
He revealed that CUSTECH now runs 56 NUC-approved programmes across 44 departments, eight faculties, and one college, serving a student population of over 5,000.
He emphasized that both graduating sets had benefited from strengthened academic structures and improved learning conditions, affirming that a total of 266 students completed their programmes successfully.
Responding on behalf of their colleagues, two of the best graduating students ; Omachonu Shedrack Chubiyo (2023/2024) and Ummulkhairi Oyiza Sheidu (2024/2025), expressed their gratitude to the authorities of the university.
They then pledged to uphold the values of excellence and service.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
