MCIU Holds 4th Convocation and 6th Annual Memorial Lecture, Awards Wigwe, Others with Honorary Doctorate Degree
In an event that saw distinguished and eminent personalities, proud parents, graduands, honorees, and well-wishers gathered, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (MCIU) celebrated its Fourth Convocation Ceremony and Sixth Annual Olorogun (Dr) Michael C. O. Ibru Memorial Lecture at the Power of Faith Building, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.
The Convocation Ceremony was declared open by the Chancellor, Dr Cecilia Ibru. In her welcome address, Dr Cecilia Ibru congratulated the graduands on ending their academic journey successfully. She further urged them to continually imbibe excellence in all that they do.
“Dear Graduands, I want you to know that book learning without culture and character is of little worth. This is why we have tried our best to shape your moral compass by instilling in your diligence, honesty, empathy and humility because we firmly believe that as you are passing out today, each one of you will one day carry the touch of knowledge to other parts of the world bearing the emblem of MCIU“, she said.
In his address titled Two tears in one night, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council congratulated the graduating students for successfully berthing the journey they started four years ago. Furthermore, he commended and acknowledged the wisdom of their parents and guardians for choosing a private university, more significantly, Michael and Cecilia Ibru for the placement of their children.
Keynote Speaker Prof Godini G. Darah spoke on “Education and the Challenges of Development in Nigeria: The Ibru Organization as an Exemplar. He said education has evolved over time, adding that Greek culture accomplishment was greatly influenced by Black African Culture.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibiyinka Fuwape, in her address, reported the rapid growth of the University, which was made possible by partnerships and collaborations with other universities in Nigeria and abroad.
She added that MCIU hosted the First International Symposium on Food Security and qualified for the Central Bank of Nigeria – Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (CBN-TIES).
These partnership agreements would allow the university access funds from international organizations and foundations for collaborative research activities and equipment to enhance teaching, research, and development.
The Vice-Chancellor also reported that the university was ranked 2nd amongst private universities in South-South Nigeria under the Google Scholar Ranking, 3rd under Knowledge Economy Ranking, 3rd under ranking by all citations per capita and 3rd under scale by efficiency.
The university continues to encourage its staff to pursue their higher degrees and also continue to receive a donation of books from individuals, private organizations, and institutions.
The event’s highlight was the Conferment of First degrees, Honorary Doctorates, and Presentation of Prizes. Among the 125 graduating students for the 2021/2022 Academic Session, The Class of 2021/2022 Academic Session, nicknamed THE TITANS, had 125 graduands with 11 First Class honours, 58 Second Class (upper) honours, 50 with Second Class Lower honours degree and 6 third class degree.
Honorary Doctorate Degree of Financial Management was awarded to the renowned Banker and CEO of Access Holdings Plc. Dr Herbert Wigwe. The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Godini Darah, was awarded a Doctorate Degree of Letters, UK Based Entrepreneur, Mrs Rebecca Efeotor was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Management, and World Renowned Artist Pa. Bruce Onobrakpeya was awarded a Doctorate Degree of Arts.
The Valedictorian, Orah Natasha Sophia, said: “I would love to congratulate my co-graduands for being Alumni of this great institution of learning”. Sophia said the journey for the past four years has not been easy, but we are all here today celebrating our achievement as we march towards our future destination
The ceremony ended with an announcement by the University Registrar, Dr Thomas Kolo and a closing prayer by the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Gbewa Hugbo.
