The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has charged the staff and students of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, to be at the vanguard of providing solutions to myriads of problems challenging societal existence.

Governor Mbah enjoined ESUT to commercialize its research findings and deepen her relationship with the state government in order to realize the values of investments which the state is making in education sector.

The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, made the calls during his convocation address at the 21st convocation ceremony of ESUT, at the Ebeano City, Agbani, Enugu State, on Saturday.

He stated that ESUT, being the first university of technology in Nigeria must  take the driver’s seat especially in converting the huge coal deposit (for which Enugu State is known for) into various economic and industrial benefit to the state and the nation at large.

In that regard, he called on the university to key strongly into the experiential learning training model by the state government to provide hands-on skills in line with the fourth industrial revolution in order to remain globally relevant.

He thanked the Management of the University led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, for providing stable leadership and for the unprecedented achievements recorded in the University, adding that the state government is proud of ESUT’s leadership.

In his address, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, lauded the supports of Governor Mbah on ESUT, stating that his experiential learning model has reshaped the academic contents of the University.

He assured the governor that the Governing Council of the University would continue to provide quality leadership and strong commitment to scholarship and human capital development.

Also, in his convocation address, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Okolie, while congratulating the graduands, stated that the University has made remarkable efforts to deal with some limiting factors, and has activated competitive, trans-disciplinary and sustained scholarship in all areas of human endeavours.

He stated that 98 percent of the academic programmes in the University had been accredited by the National Universities Commission, NUC, adding that eight new programmes including Medical Radiography; Human Nutrition and Dietetics; Public Health; History and International Studies as well as Biomedical Engineering; Optometry; Physiotherapy; and International Relations and Diplomacy have been equally approved by NUC in the University.

On staff and students welfare, the Vice Chancellor stated that the Management of the University has sponsored attendance of her staff to local and international conferences, and provided scholarships for Postgraduate studies abroad.

While expressing gratitude to TETFund for her interventions in the University, he added that water has been provided in all hostels and equally reticulated to all faculties. He equally stated that 20 solar street lights have been installed at students hostels to improve security.

He thanked Governor Mbah for his unrelenting support to the University, especially for approving N1.4 billion for the perimeter fencing of the institution and another N36.7 million for 2025 accreditation exercises.  He also  announced an automatic employment for the best-graduating student , Ikenna Chinagorom Ezenwa.

A total of 7,991 graduands,  comprising of 6,625 first degrees; 212 Postgraduate Diploma;  720 Masters’ Degrees; 434 Ph.Ds  were awarded by ESUT in this convocation which is for 2023/2024 academic session.

Three distinguished Nigerians were conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degrees ( Honoris Causa) of the University at the ceremony.

They include: Rt. Hon. Dr Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria who also delivered the Convocation Lecture.

He received an Honorary Doctorate Award for Legislative Practice; Chief Dr. Paulinus Ozonnagbo, CEO of Polystar Electronics. He received Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration; while Senator Osita Ngwu, Senate Minority Whip, was conferred honorary doctorate degree on Governance and Public Policy.

In their separate remarks,  Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas expressed great delight at the promising strides of ESUT  towards attainment of excellence and promised to encourage the commitment and zeal of Management by erecting a faculty building within one year for the University.

Also, the Senate Minority Whip, Osita Ngwu promised to building a befitting Pavilion, to build and equip a Mechanical Engineering Laboratory in addition to a  brand new Bus for the ESUT Alumni Association where he equally is a member. He equally pledged to use his legislative influence to attract a Senate Building for the University.

The Chief Executive of Polystar Electronics, Dr Paulinus Ozonnagbo also assured of support to the University through the donations of 100 pieces of his company’s Fan, N2 million and more after discussing with Management on the University’s areas of need.