By Precious Oluwole

The Federal University of Technology, Akure ( FUTA) is set to hold its 34th and 35th convocation ceremonies of the institution, with 519 graduating with first class.

Speaking at a press conference heralding the convocation ceremonies at Theodore Francis Hall in the institution, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Adenike Oladiji noted that combined convocation ceremonies will take place between 22nd and 30th of November, 2024.

She added that the purpose of the gathering is to keep the stakeholders abreast of the progress, through the press, noted that the convocation ceremony is an opportunity for the institution to showcase the good products they have bred.

According to her, the school having over 20,000 students with 59 accredited academic programs would graduate a total of 6,405 students as 519 students bags first class, 3,408 graduated with second class (upper division), 2,139 graduated with second class (lower division), 339 with third lower.

While Faromika Ifeoluwa Faith and Vitowanu John Bull Aanuoluwapo emerged as the best graduating students (CGPA: 4.96) for the 2022/2023 academic session, Ajakaye Oluwasegun Joshua emerged as the best graduating student (CGPA: 4.95) for the 2023/2024 academic session.

Oladiji emphasised that the university will also confer Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and Doctoral degrees on 960 students.

She further stressed that Honorary Doctoral Degrees will be conferred on 3 eminent Nigerians, which are Pastor Daniel Olukoya, Mr Ayorinde Ogunruku, and Mr Joel Ogunsola.

These three eminent Nigerians have distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavours.

Oladiji added that the convocation lecture, titled “Technology Innovations: A Panacea to Food Insecurity,” will be delivered by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, on 29th November 2024.

She noted that the university continues to reassess her academic programs for global relevance and competitiveness, stressing that the institution would maintain its position as the best University of Technology in Nigeria.

“We have contributed immensely to our immediate community and the global environment in various ways, including enhancement of food security through production of tomatoes and bell pepper from our farm, production of varieties of loaves, including low-sugar bread for diabetics and weight-watchers.

“Our students are being equipped with entrepreneurial skills to solve local challenges- engineering students produced interlocking blocks for construction of external works and burglarproof for windows, our final year students embarked on Clean Akure Campaign”.

Appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for various interventions for the upliftment of the institution, most especially, the approval of the state Specialist Hospital, Akure for the Clinical Training of the students on the MBBS programme.