….. Use WAUU certificate for your Breakthrough in life —Founder, Falana, Monachs tell Graduands.
The West African Union University Institute (WAUU), Cotonou in Republic of Benin on Saturday graduated 446 students with two of them bagging first class honour during the 3rd & 4th combined Convocation ceremony of the institution.
The Founder/President of the University, Dr (Hon) Bishop Olayemi Adeyemi, disclosed this in Cotonou at the Convocation ceremony for the Award of Academic and Honorary Degrees.
Dr Adeyemi said that out of the 446 graduands, Two of them made First Class Honours, Two Hundred and Ninety Four (294) were in Second Class Upper Division and One Hundred and Fifty (150) graduated with Second Class Lower Division.
The Chancellor of the University, King Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi (Dien of Agbor Kingdom in Delta State, Nigeria), was represented by Dr Bishop O. Adeyemi in performing all the convocation activities.
Earlier in a remark, the Vice Chancellor of WAUU, Prof Sola Ehindero said the university would continue to churn out best set of graduates that would compete favourably anywhere they find themselves.
During the ceremony some eminent personalities from Nigeria and Republic of Benin were awarded with Honourary Doctorate Degrees including some traditional rulers and a legal Giant, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, who bagged Honorary Degree of Doctor of Civil Right Advocacy & Justice Administration.
Other honorary awardees are;
the Olowo of Owo Kingdom from Nigeria, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III who was conferred The Doctor of Public Administration; King Abdou Nouhou III of Lokossa in Benin Republic who bagged The Doctor of Public Administration; the First Class Emir of Machina from Yobe state, Nigeria HRM Alhaji Bashir Albishir Bukar who was awarded The Doctor of Public Administration, as well as the Emir of Awe, HRH Alhaji (Dr) Isa Abubakar Umar II, who was also awarded The Doctor of Public Administration.
Also honoured by the University during the ceremony included; Sanni Mama who bagged The Doctor of Public Administration; Dr Oludele Lawrence Adeagbo (Honorary Degree of Doctor of Healthcare Management); Dr Elijah Tokunbo-Daniel (Honorary Degree of Doctor of Healthcare Management); Dr Christian Arsene Koukoui (Honorary Degree of Doctor of Justice Administration); Dr David James Egwu (Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Management) and Dr Utchay Odims (Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Management).
Also honoured; Sanoussi Mouhamadou Hadirou Babatounde (Honorary Degree of Doctor of Justice Administration); Dr Kunle Abulude (Honorary Degree of Doctor of Educational Management) and Dr Victor Mark-Onyegbu (Honorary Degree of Doctor of International Relations).
Speaking at the ceremony, a Senior Advocate, Mr Femi Falani pledged support to the university to make its law faculty one of the best in Africa, noting that he would not relent in defending the right and protecting the downtrodden on the continent.
On his part, the Emir of Lokossa said his community would continue to provide a conducive environment for WAUU, Cotonou to construct it permanent site.
The Olowo of Owo and the Emir of Machina, promised on behalf of other award recipients to assist the institution whenever the need arises, advising the graduands not to engage in any act that would rubbish certificates awarded to them by the university.
In an address, the Founder of WAUU, Dr Olayemi Adeyemi urged the fresh graduates to justify at local and international labour markets, best academic training they had acquired at the university, vowing that his vision was to make the university one of the best in Africa and Best in Benin Republic in the next five years.
Dr Adeyemi said all courses offering at WAUU, Cotonou were fully accredited by the government of Benin Republic, while the graduates of the school were being mobilised for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Nigeria.
“Highlight of the this Convocation: At this combined Convocation, we have altogether Four Hundred and Forty SIX (446) graduands. Two(2) of them made First Class Honours, Two Hundred and Ninety Four (294) are in Second Class Upper Division and One Hundred and Fifty (150) in Second Class Lower Division
“Accreditation: In Benin (Republic), government issues license to private universities to operate and offer programmes. WAUU and her programmes are approved by various agencies of government in Benin Republic and Nigeria.
“The Philosophy of the University is embedded in its motto “Knowledge is the insurance against ignorance”. The University is committed to academic research, and sourcing for research grants and encourages Faculty to source for funding through local and international collaboration.
“Notable Achievements Some of our notable achievements in most recent time are as follows: Implementation of functional school portal and upgrade of the School website. Upgrading of the University sickbay to cater for the First Aid wellbeing of the students and staff.
“Upgrading and equipping of the Biological Sciences Laboratory for effective practical teaching and learning. Effective use of online lecture delivery via Zoom and goggle meet.
“Increased student enrollment. Pleasing Feedback from employers about WAUU graduates undergoing the one year mandatory National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) in Nigeria. Establishment of Moot Court and standard Law library for our Law programme.
“Introduction of sports activities to complement academic life in the school such as the WAUU football Team for males and females respectively,” Dr Adeyemi said.
“I also thank most sincerely the University Council, for providing the policy framework, strategic direction, and stewardship. In spite of the many challenges, you have provided the right environment for us to discharge the objectives and functions of the University adequately. The Vice Chancellor deserves special mention. His encouragement, direction, and support are invaluable.
“I wish to greatly appreciate our faculty and staff for serving this University diligently. I thank each and every one of you for your consistent and focused hard work which you have discharged with great dedication and passion. I salute you all. I urge you to never be tired of this noble calling for the good of our University and humanity,” the WAUU Founder said.
