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As FUPRE Holds 2nd Convocation
*Delta govt, Ovie of Uvwie receive commendations
By Eseoghene Emuke
President Muhammadu Buhari has finally ordered the relevant government agencies to release the delayed take-off grant to the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Delta State.
Mr. President, who spoke at the 2nd convocation of the institution on Saturday, however, warned university heads in the country against corruption and wasteful spending in the management of their school resources.
He warned that his administration would tolerate diversion of funds meant for the development and upgrade of the country’s tertiary institutions as his government is deeply committed to overhaul the decadence in the nation’s education sector.
Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Onwuka, gave the directive on Saturday in his keynote address at the second convocation ceremony for graduating students in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
Mr. President, who was a visitor to the institution, said onward, there are no longer funds to be thrown around by university administrator, saying that his administration will ensure that money pumped for the development of their school were used for such purposes.
He assured that the take-off grant for the university would be released and urged for the judicious use of the funds by the management of the institution.
Buhari said, “I admonish university administrators across the country to imbibe our policy of frugality in order to avoid wastages and manager fest of corruption.
“I therefore sound this warning that we will not condone corruption in whatever guise. The very scarce resources that are made available must be judiciously utilized to give value to the system.”
He, however, challenged the FUPRE to take the lead in the technological and innovative revolution in the country.
“Nigeria has continued to be a net importer of refined Petroleum products in addition tovits poor levelsvof electricity generation. I task the university and other agencies to rise and surmount these daunting challenges through the establishment of modular refineries and sustainable power generation to take this country to the next level.”
On his part, the Chancellor of the University and Emir of Zamfara, HRH Attahiru Ahmad commended the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso Abe 1, and the Delta state government for their support for the development of the institution.
While also commending the varsity’s management for the recorded achievements in the past two years despite the “paucity of funds”, the Chancellor assured of his continuous support to ensure the training of high level manpower for the petroleum industry.
The vice Chancellor of FUPRE, Professor Akii Ibhadode has charged the federal government to saddle universities with relevant tasks in its development plans.
In his address which was presented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof (Mrs.) Prekeyi Tawari-Fufeyin, he explained that such tasks, as peculiar to the varsities, will enable them contribute “to national development, in real terms, thus creating wealth and employment for the nation, export of Nigerian technology,” among other benefits.
Congratulating the graduands, the VC urged them to “develop other potentials” and continue to seek opportunities to better the society and humanity.
Two personalities Hon. Prince Chinedu Nwoko and Mr. Abiola Oyedotun bagged honorary doctorate degrees, the former announcing a N1 million naira go ft to students graduating with first class honours.
However, the best graduating student, Abel Okojunu, from the Department of Mathematics, made a 4.95 GPA and was among three others who were recipients of the Vice Chancellor’s prize.
