Fashola, Komolafe, Obaseki, Others Bag Honorary Doctorate

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Senate and Council of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) yesterday conferred honorary doctorate to seven distinguished Nigerians.
The conferment was bestowed on the awardees at the 48th Convocation and 53rd Founders Day ceremony of the institution in Benin City, capital of Edo State.

Among the beneficiaries are former Lagos State Governor, and immediate Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fasola (SAN), who was honoured with Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa; the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga  Komolafe, who was honoured with Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa; Wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Doctor of Business Administration, Honoris Causa; and Mr. Paul Enebeli, Doctor of Science Honoris Causa.

Others are Chief Charles Edosomwan (SAN), Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa; Mr. Osaro Isokpan, Doctor of Business Administration; and the Chief Operating Officer, Green Energy International Limited Mr. Olukayode Dorun-Adegbulugbe, Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa.

Conferring the degrees on the recipients, the Chancellor of the university and Chairman of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, Tor Tiv, said the honours were a call for more work on the part of those honoured.
He thanked the awardees for making the university proud with their services and philanthropic gestures not only to their communities but their respective states, Nigeria, and the entire humanity.

The Chancellor used the occasion to draw the attention of the federal government to the precarious funding situation of tertiary institutions while congratulating all graduates of the institution for working very hard to acquire the degrees awarded to them.

On her part, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Imuetinyan Salami said the award of honorary degrees to the seven eminent personalities was in appreciation of their unique and outstanding contributions to the progress of the university and national development.

She said the university was proud that four of the honorees are illustrious alumni of the institution adding: “Not only did they excel in their academics as students, they have also exemplified the give back spirit which has earned them this coveted honour.”
According to her, “the University of Benin is well positioned to deliver on its mandate on the training of the critical manpower needs of the country, taking into consideration the pedigree of staff and infrastructure.”

Speaking on behalf of the honorees, the former Lagos State Governor, Fashola, said the awards call for more service as clearly displayed in the University of Benin Motto: “Knowledge for Service.”

Meanwhile, the Visitor, President Bola Tinubu said his administration is poised to change the narrative of higher education for the better and to place the institution of higher learning on a pedestal that would compete with their counterparts in the world.

Represented by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh, the president added that the federal government is working towards the introduction of the policy of full university autonomy.

“University autonomy transfers the responsibility performance directly to individual institutions rather than the state of uncertainty. This administration believes that this is the right step in the right direction.

“We will do all that is possible to reposition tertiary institutions and the education sector in the country for excellency service delivery,” Tinubu stated.
Also speaking, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, said the 178 students who have graduated with First Class will be given automatic employment provided they are of Edo State indigenes.