RSUST 28th Convocation Ceremony

Another history has been recorded in Rivers State University of Science and Technology, the first State University and Nigeria’s premier University as the 28th Convocation Ceremony of the school was marked on Saturday 9th April, 2016.

The Ag. Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Blessing Chimezie Didia in his speech congratulated the graduates who were over 5,000 in number ranging from First Degree, Post Graduate Degree, Masters Degree and Doctorate Degree saying the University is happy to graduate another set of students in Character and in learning. He also welcomed them as Alumni of the University. He went ahead to congratulate the Governor and visitor to the school Chief Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike in his victory at the polls which was upheld by the supreme court of Nigeria. The Ag. Vice chancellor made known his achievements within the last few months in office and also thanked the Governor and Visitor to the University for the laying of the Foundation Block of the College of Medical Science which he said was long overdue, stating that the Governor had already approved money for the contract which is expected to be complete in the next 18 months. He also thanked the Governor for restating the construction of the Faculties of Management Sciences and Environmental Sciences that has been abandoned for years, while appealing to the Governor to provide the school with more classrooms, Central Sports Complex, Central Laboratory and more laboratory equipments to facilitate learning in the school. The Ag. Vice Chancellor also appreciated the presence of different dignitaries who came from different walks of life to grace the occasion which includes but was not limited to Vice Chancellors of various Universities, the Governor of Ebonyi State, The Amayanabo of Opobo and many more.

The Vice Chancellor of the University gave the statistics of graduating students which were 4 First Class Division, 317 Second Class Upper Division, 1,914 Second Class Lower Division, 1,754 Third Class Division and 468 Pass Division making a total of 4,457 for First Degree. Others are 27 PhD, 168 Masters Degree and 415 Post Graduate Degree making a Grand Total of 5,067 Graduating students.
THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH

The Governor and Visitor to the school, His Excellency Chief Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike congratulated the graduates for making it through this stage of life. He advised them to stick to their vision and pursue their dreams with passion, building their own dream and not allowing them to be used by other people to build theirs.

The Governor also stated some achievement in his tenure on his assumption of office as the Executive Governor such as renovation the Law Faculty of the school, Restating and payment of staff salaries, etc. He also said that he will approve the sum of One Billion Naira for the completion of the long abandoned Faculty of Management Science and the Faculty of Environmental Science buildings.



SUG PRESIDENT SPEECH

The President of the Student Union Government Comr. Faith Barigboto and other Excos in her speech thanked the Governor for gracing the occasion and also pleaded with him to make the Acting Vice Chancellor and the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, a substantive Vice and Deputy Vice Chancellors respectively to foster a good relationship between her government and the school administrative system and the students at large. She also pleaded with the Governor to provide the Union with a new Bus as she made a presentation to the Governor on behalf of the SUG.



BEST GRADUATING STUDENT SPEECH (ADIM VICTOR CHIDIEBERE)
Saluting the Governor and other dignitaries he thanked the Governor for being present in a day like this where they are being celebrated. He stated that many started the struggle with them, some stopped halfway, some were withdrawn for academic failure (WAF) and some died in cause of the struggle but they achieved victory at last and today they are being celebrated quoting the portion of the bible which says “it is not of him that runneth, nor willeth but of God that showeth mercy”, which concord to the aluta motto: Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta. He also thanked the Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, his family and everyone who in one way or the other contributed to his success and also asked his fellow graduates to stand and give a round of applause to all who contributed to their individual success in one way or the other.

Finally, he advised his fellow graduates not to lose focus in life but should think of what the future holds for them and strive to become better persons who will bring about positive change in the Nation.