The 33rd convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology Owerri FUTO, climaxed on Saturday, 4/12/2021. The series of activities to mark the convocation ended with the convocation of 4,032 first degree holders and 380 Post Graduate holders.
The grand finale began with the procession of graduands from the Senate building of the institution to the convocation arena.
The Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Okigwe -South Anglican Communion, His Grace, The Most Rev. Dr. David .C. Onuoha said the opening prayer. The Bishop blessed God for the clement weather and committed the ceremony to the hands of the Almighty. He prayed for the Nation,the state and the institution.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor (Mrs) Nnenna N. Oti constituted the assembly, thereby setting the ball rolling for the activities of the day to officially kick start.
In his address, the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Senator Jack Tilley Gyado, OFR welcomed all the invited guests to the convocation. He said that this is his first convocation since his appointment. The Pro Chancellor solicited for the payment of the sum of Three Billion naira promised FUTO as relocation grant which is still outstanding since the University moved to the present permanent site from Lake Nwaebere Campus in 1993.
Senator Gyado noted that FUTO must aspire to be a global player in the competitive arena of knowledge economy. He said that with the recent introduction of modern academic programs,FUTO is truly leading the way as a citadel of technological research and engineering excellence.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nnena Oti in her speech went down memory lane on how the University was founded, noting that in it's 40 years of existence, the institution has been living up to the dreams of it's founding fathers in terms of production of quality graduates, responsive researches and impactful community services. Prof. Oti further said that despite the lockdown caused by COVID-19 and strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU last year, her administration has worked assiduously to regain the lost academic session.
The Vice Chancellor enumerated her vision for the school, appealed for support, donations made to the University were also mentioned by the VC. Prof. Oti also listed the Honours To The University and concluded by thanking the Imo State Government for helping to get back the University land from land grabbers.
On behalf of the Imo State Government, the Deputy Governor of the state and former Vice Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Placid Njoku in his address stated that the Government of the day considers FUTO AS HER OWN. He said that the IMSG is ready to collaborate with FUTO on areas that will benefit Imolites, Areas like irrigation, Power System, Environmental Management, Transportation, Project Management and so many other ways.
The Deputy Governor assured of the State Government willingness to recover all the institution's stolen land. He ended by calling all the graduands to shun cultism, abuse of drugs, especially, Mkpurummiri and other negative vices.
The visitor to the school and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammed Buhari ably represented by the minister of state, Education, Hon Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, in his speech, noted that FUTO has continued to pride herself as a model of excellence in Technological innovations.
He enumerated the various achievement of the federal government on education noting that FUTO indeed has benefited from a quite number of them. The HMS of Education announced that FUTO has made the criteria to be among the four schools selected nationwide for upgrade and re- equipping.
He promised the gathering that the FG will build a Federal Teaching Hospital in the land being recovered by the state Government. He wished the graduands well.
The best Graduating student,Mr Chisom Henry Osigwe with a CGPA of 4.96,the highest ever in the University history, in his valedictory speech congratulated his mates on their graduation, The Umuoha born Electrical Engineering Graduate prayed that the future will be kind on them.
The Deans of various faculties and schools in the University listed the graduands.
Various institutions across the country sent in their goodwill messages.
A Total of 4,412 persons were sent forth
For Post Graduate
Ph.D: -42 M.Sc, M. Tech, MPH,M. Eng, MBA -219, PGD -119
Bachelor's Degree
First Class :64, Second Class Upper : 1,399, Second Class Lower: 2,278, Third Class : 250, Pass : 2,
Unclassified Degree (Doctor of Optometry) :39
