By Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo
From its small beginning seven years ago, the Clifford University(CLU), Owerrinta, Abia State has, like the mustard seed, grown to become a huge tree in qualitative tertiary education with impressive expansion of its academic programmes.
The institution held its fifth Convocation on Sunday, September 29, 2024, during which it turned out 269 graduates with 31 of them coming out in first class across 11 departments.
The Nursing Sciences Department topped the first class list with nine graduates, followed by Christian Religious Studies, which produced six first class while Microbiology got four.
Delivering his convocation address entitled “the more you look, the more you see history”, which reflected the impressive growth already recorded by CLU, the Vice-chancellor, Pastor Professor Chimezie Omeonu showcased the quantum leap of the institution from its “small beginning”.
“From three Faculties, 10 Departments, and 15 degree programmes the institution started with on March 5, 2017, the beginning or small academic take-off, our day of little things was sharp and historical,” he said.
He stated that CLU now has six faculties, 30 Departments and 34 degree programmes while students population has risen to 1,500 from 86 that matriculated on May 18, 2017 as pioneer students. This represents upwards of over 100 percent growth across board.
As further evidence of the phenomenal growth of CLU, Prof Omeonu noted that the Department of Nursing Sciences, which started four years ago graduated its first set of students this year out of which 67 have been inducted as registered nurses.
He said that the graduates of the Nursing Sciences, had in May recorded 81.71 percentage pass in the Registered Nurse(RN) examination of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria(NMCN), while the national average pass was 73 percent.
“As we were rejoicing over this achievement, results of the Registered Midwife(RM) was released by the same , Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Whereas the national average (of percentage pass) was 91 percent, Clifford University scored 100 percent. This is a historical history and we give all the honour and glory to God,” the VC enthused.
He stated that the Law Faculty of CLU is now in full operation and would soon get accreditation from the Council of Legal Education while arrangements are in full swing to realise the establishment of Postgraduate School before the next convocation.
Omeonu assured parents and employers that the graduates of CLU have the stamp of high quality standard having been trained in programmes certified by both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA).
He said that the university has co-opted parents “to help in moulding the character of students as well as contributing to the general development” of CLU hence the inauguration of Parents Advisory Council(PAC) on June 8, 2023.
The VC enjoined parents to engage in “close marking of your children “as) things have changed”, urging them to “be on on your knees on their behalf everyday” and “let your child know that you are interested in his or her welfare”.
The Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board, Pastor(Prof) Bassey Udoh, charged the graduands “to take responsibilities” and become sources of pride to their families and the society.
He told the graduates that having passed through the crucible of CLU and certified as good, “now is your turn to help the society by being teachable, humble and highly productive”.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Ceremonies and Honours Committee, Dr Ezebunwa Ubani, stated that CLU has grown to become an institution of choice for parents who seek the best university education for their children and wards.
He noted that the university places high premium on imparting both academic knowledge and moral values to its students, adding that it ranks among tertiary institutions in Nigeria that in practice produce graduates with character and learning.
Aside from the conferment of degree certificates, the event also featured the presentation of special presentation/awards, special performance by the Sapphire Acapella Company, among others.
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