The Pro-Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, Dr Bode Ayorinde says the next star projects of the institution would be the Colleges of Medicine, Education and Aviation.
Dr Ayorinde stated this during the 11th convocation ceremony and 14th foundation anniversary of the Ondo-based tertiary institution.
He said, “As we prepare to celebrate the 15th foundation anniversary of the University at the next convocation ceremony, we are taking stock of our developmental strides and preparing our next five-year development plan, which shall be unveiled at the next convocation by the grace of God.
“Our next star projects, the Colleges of Medicine, Education and Aviation have been captured amongst other infrastructural imperatives. Kindly continue to pray for us for strength and the grace of God to see us through,” Ayorinde prayed.
434 students of the University were conferred with first degree award during the convocation ceremony.
The ceremony also saw three prominent Nigerians conferred with honorary degree awards (Honoris Causa). They are Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President, Alhaji Olutokunbo Raheem Disu-Sule and Emeritus Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Badejoko Olateju Adeniji.
Dr Ayorinde while congratulating the Graduands thanked them for submitting themselves to the transformation programme of the University.
“Graduands on this historic day of your lives, we at this citadel of excellence are proud to confer on you al, with degrees of national and international standards. On behalf of myself and the entire Achievers University Community, I congratulate you, your parents and well-wishers for this great transformation from SSCE certificate holders into degree holders with honours from this prestigious and unique University.
“I also wish to felicitate with the eminent personalities in our midst today that have been found worthy of our highly coveted honorary doctoral degrees. I say a very big congratulation.
The Pro-Chancellor also recognised the contributions of the host community, parents, and religious groups for their support over the years.
“I sincerely wish to express my profound appreciation to Idashen Community for being a fantastic host and landlord. Your generosity in the process of transferring about 200 hectares of land for the use of the University and your accommodation posture and cooperation so far had been profound and commendable.
“Our special appreciation also goes to the parents and our first set of 12 students that resumed for the first academic session on 2nd April, 2008, as well as parents and students of successive sets, from year to year, in the last 15 sessions. That our student population is nearing 3,000 this year is because of the trust you have in our ability to deliver on the mandate given to us by the NUC.
“Of very great significance is the prayer of men and women of God, both Christians and Muslims. We appreciate you for your prayers that have been answered and the ones yet to be answered would be answered by the grace of God. We say thank you so much to all members of our very vibrant Alumni Association and members of Friends of Achievers University Society (FAUS) whose Chairman is to be honoured today,” Ayorinde said.