Two eminent Nigerian personalities have been conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degrees (Honoris Causa) by the Premier Rivers State University of Science and Technology, (UST).
The awardees include, distinguished senator David Bonaventure Mark, the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who was honoured with Doctor of Law, while High Chief (Dr.) O.B. Lulu Briggs, OON, the Chief Executive Officer of Lubrics Construction Company, was bestowed Doctor of Business Administration.
They were given the awards during the 19th -23rd combined convocation ceremony of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology on October 15, 2011. at the convocation arena Nkpolu, Oroworokwo,Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Barineme Beke Fakae, disclosed that the awards were presented to them in recognition of their monumental contributions to national development and the cause of humanity.
In his words, “I, on behalf of the Governing Council and the senate that approved these awards, congratulate you and wish you many more years of fruitful service to Nigeria and humanity”.
Professor Fakae who congratulated the graduands of 2004 -2010 session on their landmark achievements, said it was their moment of glory and disclosed that the University was awarding certificates in diploma, first degrees, masters degrees and doctorate degrees to a total number of 25,917 graduands from the 2004-2010 academic sessions.
The Vice Chancellor of the institution recalled that the university was overwhelmed by major problems and difficulties due to lack of attention and neglect, ranging from decay in both academic and administrative infrastructure, non accreditation of 31 academic programmes of the university by the National University Commission (NUC), total break down of discipline, law and order in all ramifications of the institution, un-conducive environment for teaching and learning, acute problems of cultism and insecurity on campus, poor work attitude, obsolute financial administration mechanism and laxity, truancy and entrenched ethnicity and nepotism at the expense of merit and excellence.
Other problems were, admission system that undermined merit and NUC-approved carrying capacity, low morale in both workers and students, improper data handling, strong resistance to change and innovation, inefficient manual processes with undue bottlenecks, lack of synergy and integration of processes, low information communication technology, (ICT) literacy, lack of basic work to enhance productivity, and lack of basic documentation such as academics brief.
He said it was in the throes of these circumstances that the administration came on board in November 14, 2007 and the state government under the leadership of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi gave them the mandate to rescue the institution.
The university, he said, has recorded various developmental achievements such as accreditation of all programmes by the NUC in less than 12 months of the administration, implementation of ICT master plan, infrastructural development, staff welfare, partnership and maintaining industrial harmony among others.
“Your Excellency Sir, I am glad to report that this administration has indeed made significant strides and inroads in rejuvenating and getting the university back on track”, Fakae stated.
He commended Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for his support, the NDDC, Chervon Nigeria Limited, Sky Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Charkin Maritime & Offshore Safety centre among others, for their support as well as those who graced the occasion.
In his address, Hon. Justice A. G. Karibi Whyte (Rtd), CON, CFR, the Pro-Chancellor and the chairman of the 10th governing council, thanked God for the successful convocation ceremony.
He disclosed that the ceremony was unique because it combined a backlog of convocation ceremonies and commended the graduands for their patience and understanding as well as their academic achievement.
According to him, the convocation was special as selected eminent Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their various works of life and made outstanding contributions to the development of Nigerian society in identifiable areas of the economy, industry, politics, law, science and technology, were being honoured.
Justice Karibi-Whyte who recalled the establishment of the university in 1980 with vision to develop a world class and uncommon institution, noted that the 10th governing council inaugurated on Tuesday August 19, 2008, was given a clear mandate by Governor Amaechi to rescue the institution from its state of utter neglect and near collapse and to bring it up to world class standard, which they did.
He also commended the management of the institution under the able leadership of Professor B. B. Fakae for rescuing the institution.
In his speech, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State, commended Professor Fakae for his effort in turning around the institution which was in bad shape a couple of years ago, and for injecting ICT programmes in the university.
Governor Amaechi who said education was one of the main focuses of his administration and that his administration was determined to move the institution to a permanent site.
He promised to equip the health service department of the institution as well as the faculty of law.
Governor Amaechi stressed that the public should not leave everything for the government alone and urged the public to contribute their quotas for the benefit of the institution and advised the graduands to be good ambassadors of the institution.
He congratulated senator David Bonaventure Mark, the senate president and High Chief O.B Lulu Briggs for the award bestowed on them by the institution.
Senator David Mark in his speech, thanked the university management for the award bestowed on him and his colleague, stressing that the large presence of the distinguished senators at the occasion was an indication that the senators have love for the state.
Senator Mark who described his presence at the convocation arena as a home coming, recalled that he was a major serving inRiversStatesome years ago and was the chairman of the committee on implementation of abandoned property inRiversState.
He said he was impressed with the performance of governor Amaechi after the inspection and commissioning of projects in the university campus.###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
