The Federal University of Technology, Minna, has recorded 187 first-class graduates in its 2020–2021 and 2022–2023 academic sessions.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, made the disclosure during a press briefing to mark the weeklong combined 31st and 32nd convocation ceremonies of the institution.
The vice chancellor said 3,867 and 3,445 graduated from the 2020/2021 and 2022/2023 academic sessions, respectively, making a total of 7,312 graduates with first degrees, 120 with postgraduate diplomas, 955 with masters degrees, and 150 with doctorate degrees (PhDs).
He said that due to the increase in student enrollment, the university has adopted an innovative e-learning approach for its 100-level students to address the problems associated with inadequate lecture rooms and manpower.
"This approach has proven efficient in managing large classes. The adoption of online platforms for teaching, e-tests, and examinations has positioned us better to address the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly improved traditional teaching methods in Nigeria,” he said.
Prof. Faruk Adamu said all the academic courses of the university have attained full accreditation status from the National Universities Commission and revealed that the university was preparing to host the international accrediting body that will project the university to the international academic arena.
He said research efforts from various schools and departments of the university had attracted over N844 million from the National Research Grant by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and another five million euros from the European Commission to execute an EU-AU partnership to execute a project titled Resilient, Inclusive, and Safe Food System for Everyone (UP-RISE).
He said the management of the university has achieved a lot in terms of infrastructural development, affiliation, and collaboration with institutions, bodies, and research agencies, calling on the alumni of the university to contribute to the development of the institution.
The vice chancellor reeled out the programme of events, which includes a special jummat and an interdenominational church service to take place on Friday and Sunday, respectively. He said the final of the Chancellor's Cup football match will be held on Monday, January 29, while a scientific research exhibition will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.
He said the commissioning of four projects will take place on Wednesday, January 31, and there will be a convocation lecture titled The Power of Vision and Innovative Technology: The Key to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Africa by Prof. John Kennedy Opara.
"The peak of the ceremony will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2024, by 10 a.m. at Suleiman Kumo Convocation Square, where first degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and higher diplomas will be conferred on graduates, as well as award prizes," the vice chancellor disclosed.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has called for the use of technology and intelligence gathering for effective policing in the country.
The governor made the call at Government House, Minna when he granted an audience to the police screening team for the recruitment exercise in Niger State.
He said deploying intelligence and modern technology by the police will aid in tackling insecurity and also put them on par with other countries in the world.
The governor also called for the engagement of more plain-clothed police for effective intelligence gathering on issues affecting society, adding that members of the public will be more comfortable providing information to secret police officers.
Governor Bago said police officers should be posted to their communities to serve for at least 5 to 10 years.
He said doing so would make the transition to state policing easier, and the police personnel would effectively discharge their duties as they are familiar with their localities.
He enjoined the NPF not to compromise the recruitment process but to ensure that only qualified and true Nigerians are recruited while reassuring them of the commitment of his administration to providing welfare and logistical support to them to give their best.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Danladi, who led the screening team, disclosed that they had screened over 13,000 candidates, adding that the results would soon be released and successful ones would sit for a computer-based test (CBT), and those who excelled would thereafter go for training.
He applauded the support of the state government through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), pointing out that the support made the screening exercise smooth.
