The federal government has installed Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin as the Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), with a task to build on the growth of the institution.
The guest to the University, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu, decorated Oba Ewuare II at the 13th Convocation/investiture Ceremony of the University on Saturday in FCT, Abuja.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin, Mr. Osaigbovo Iguobaro, in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday in Benin City, said the Royal father was also conferred Honoris Causa, Doctor in Public Administration of the National Open University of Nigeria.
Oba Ewuare’s acceptance speech after subscribing to the University’s oath, led by the President, formally constituted the Convocation for Award of First Degrees, postgraduate Degrees, and other Categories of Awards/ Certificates.
The Chancellor also called on the federal government to consider robust funding for the University and implored the government to be cautious about establishing Universities with dual roles in ensuring that standards are upheld.
Oba Ewuare II, who promised to carry out his responsibility diligently, also appealed to the government to include NOUN graduates in the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC scheme by amending the Act that established the University.
The traditional ruler advised the University graduates to be exemplary as NOUN Alumni and explore entrepreneurship.
The Oba commended the University’s Management for its commitment to service and serves as an inspiration to the University, where 22,175 graduates bagged various Degrees and merit Awards.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Olufemi Peters, said the Convocation marked a milestone for graduands at the event, which he told heralds a new era for those who seek knowledge regardless of their academic background.
He also stated that the University, under his leadership, has made it a policy to acquire and use only vehicles from Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company in a bid to promote local content.
Addressing graduands at the Ceremony, President Bola Tinubu called for cutting-edge multidisciplinary research that would benefit Nigerian citizens and the country.
He assured that the federal government would continue to promote distance learning, which he said has been widened by the government to accommodate private sector involvement in order to create access, promote quality, and make tertiary education affordable.
