The Grand Finale of the 26th Convocation Ceremony and Presentation of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (the presentation of higher degrees), today, 23/Nov./2018

There is a relief when the end of a process has reached its brim. During preparation for the just concluded convocation ceremony, the news of ASUU strike invaded like hoodlums invading an area. Such news is enough to bring the effort put towards the ceremony to null but by God's grace the success of the ceremony is what we are talking about.

As the sun resumed its throne, mortals beneath were on their guard to make ends meet, especially here in FUNAAB -- traders and entrepreneurs, positioned at the venue of the convocation ceremony, anticipating the read out the success of the day.

It was a cool and salubrious environment in the ceremonial building; those present remain still until the announcement of the arrival of the academic possession spring forth.

Around few minutes before 9am, the academic possession, including the Chancellors and governing council walked into the building. It was during this process that the honorary awardees, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Prof. Toyin Falola walked in. The joyous noise from the audience signed a sign that they were happy to see the first African to be awarded a Nobel Prize in literature (Prof. Wole Soyinka) walking into the ceremonial building.

At the conclusion of the national and school anthem, the Registrar mounted the podium to give out the Opening speech.

After the opening speech, His Eminence, Dr. Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V (the Chancellor and Obong of Calabar) was invited to give the convocation speech. According to him, "This is the first regular convocation, unlike the previous combined convocation ceremonies of two or three sessions. He acknowledged the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Felix Salako for attaining this feat.

After the Chancellor's speech, the Pro Chancellor gave the address. During the Pro Chancellor's address he pleaded with Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to return back to class while negotiation continues, saying " The students are crying, parents are groaning, the society is swelling with half baked graduates".

"To the graduates, I say bravo. Today is a day to give thanks to God for good health to study and your lecturers for suspending their pleasure to give you your academic need", this, he said to the graduating students.

According to him, "It's not all universities Prof. Wole Soyinka will accept to be honoured but I was surprised when I heard he accepted to be awarded the honorary certificate by our university".

At the end of the Pro Chancellor's address, it was time for the conferment of the honorary degree on Prof. Wole Soyinka. The Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic mounted the podium to present the honorary degree/certificate to be conferred.  The Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic read out the citation of Prof. Wole Soyinka.

Then the next awardee (Prof. Toyin Falola)was invited to the podium, and his honorary degree was conferred on him, with his citation being read out by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Development, as was done to the first awardee.

While both awardees were sited, Prof. Wole Soyinka was invited to received the conferred honorary degree, both for himself and for Prof. Toyin Falola. According to Prof. Wole Soyinka, "It's a task standing when my citation is being read out, sometimes I wander off". He added that this will be the last honorary degree he will receive from any university.

Now back to the new graduates from the post graduates diplomas (Masters and philosophy of Doctor). The Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic presented the masters degree and the Deputy Vice Chancellor Development presented the philosophy of Doctorate degree. The pH.D students were called out to have the accolade of hand shake with His Eminence, the Obong of Calabar (Chancellor).

At the closure of the degree presentation,  the Vice Chancellor was invited to deliver the convocation address. According to the Vice Chancellor, "Our university is a beneficiary of World Bank Center of Excellence; our university celebrates academia today, presenting the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters on Prof. Wole Soyinka and Prof. Toyin Falola".

After this, the Vice Chancellor delivered the good news message to Vice Chancellors, Deputy Vice Chancellors and representatives who came from universities far and near.

Then the GCFR, represented by Minister of state for Education was invited for his address. The minister enjoined the graduates to strive to contribute their quota to nation building. He said the university curriculum should be constructed in a way that makes farming interesting. According to him, "We are striving to relief the country from importing outside goods to consumption and exportation of its produce". He added that the Centre of Entrepreneurial Studies (CENT) is achieving heights for this realization.

At the end of the minister's address, His Eminence, the Obong of Calabar was invited to close the convocation ceremony.

Few, out of the dignitaries present include:
1. The GCFR, represented by Minister of State for Education
2. The Chancellor (Obong of Calabar)
3. The Pro Chancellor
4. The Vice Chancellor
5. Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic
6. Deputy Vice Chancellor Development
7. Registrar
8. The Bursar
9. The University Librarian
10. Prof. Wole Soyinka
11. Prof. Toyin Falola

Written/typed by: BASSEY, Victor P. (Thesalt)
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