Delta varsity confers honorary doctorate on emir of Zaria

Western Delta University (WDU) has conferred an honourary doctorate on Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, the Emir of Zaria.

The honour was conferred as the Delta varsity graduated 426 students, eighteen of whom bagged first-class honours.

The university will also confer honorary doctorate degrees to Kim Young Chae, Korea’s ambassador to Nigeria, and Ajoritsedere Awosika, a retired permanent secretary.

Others are Oritsedere Otubu, chairman of Eko Disco, and Igho Okotete, chairman of Pioneer Global Resource and Integrated Energy Limited.

Augustine Ikelegbe, vice-chancellor, said the 11th to 13th convocation ceremony of the institution is for December 2.

He said 147 students graduated in the second class upper, 218 in the second class lower, and forty-three students in the third class categories.

Ikelegbe said WDU is also graduating its first set of postgraduates, four students in postgraduate diplomas and fourteen in the master of science (M.Sc) programme.

Although WDU is below 20 years old, he said the university has “significantly expanded academic colleges, degree programmes and enrollment”.

The VC said the university is working on international collaborations that will set it apart from other Nigerian universities.

“We are a proud player in the private university system which is leading the trail in quality education, the application of audio-visual learning facilities and digital technology in Nigeria,” he said.

“We are up-to-date in the accreditation of our academic programmes. The university has developed a centre for learning resources comprising the main library and e-library.

“We are building partnerships to enhance our integration into the global tertiary education sector, to create international opportunities, as well as partnerships in research and conferences.

“We are collaborating with Noida International University in India while we are still processing the memorandum of understanding with Girne American University in Cyprus.”