The University of Africa ,Toru Orua in Bayelsa says a total of 905 students are be awarded degrees at its combined convocation slated to take tor Saturday,20th June,2025,at its main campus in Sagbama
This was disclosed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Solomon Ebobra during the pre- convocation media briefing on Friday.
According to him,the 905 graduates cut across four sets.
Out of this number, 208 are of the pioneer class of 2020 – 2021,287 are of the class of 2021 – 2022,while the rests 190 are of the class of 2023 – 2024 respectively.
He further explained that of these ,they will be awarded degrees in Agriculture, Arts and Education,Basic and Applied Social and Management Sciences .
Giving the breakdown, he said 66 graduates made first class distinction, 223 made second class upper division, 284 graduands made second class lower division.while 123 made third class and 9 got pass.
Ebobra,who is the third substantive Vice Chancellor,applauded the founder of the university Senator Seriake Dickson for his initiatives and equally commended the current Governor, Douye Diri for his unwavering support to the university.
The University of Africa, Toru Orua,Bayelsa was established in 2016 as a public university, an academic mecca with a student population of 500 in 2017/18, but today it has 4000 of students from 28 states of the country.
In related development, Dr Reuben Abati has attributed the reasons behind mass exodus of Nigerians to foreign countries in search of greener pastures to insecurity,corruption,institutional decay, broken dreams,political instability and lack of employment caused by the Nigerian government to address these anomalies.
Abati who delivered the combined convocation lecture on “The Japa Syndrome and The Future of University Education In Nigeria” at King Kpadia Memorial Civic Center ,Toru Orua, said Nigeria government has all it takes to arrest the trend,but the leaders have failed to implement policies that will endear Nigerians to develop their potentials and enjoy the benefits of good governance,and until the Universities, civil society groups and the media intensify their campaign and advocacy to ensure that those things that are attracting Nigerians abroad are provided here.
“Young Nigerians are not just escaping leadership ,but responding rationally to global opportunities that reward merit,skill and innovation”
“Japan syndrome is not merely a social trend,but a symptom of deeper systematic challenges that demand our collective attention,wisdom and action” Abati stated.
Chairman Governing council Bar Kemela Okara had extolled the quality of the lecture and look forward to attending to some of the issues that cropped up from the lecture.