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Tinubu assures local refineries will begin production soon

The President Bola Tinubu has assured that some local refineries would start production to reduce the current high price of petroleum products in the country.

He made the promise at the 11th convocation ceremony of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike which took place at the University's convocation ground, Umudike.

The President who is the visitor to the institution was represented at the event by the Executive Secretary Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Prof. Garuba Sharu Butu. The president said he was aware of the security challenges facing the nation, adding that very soon, the issue would be a thing of the past.

Tinubu while congratulating the graduands and  the school authority for the progress that have recorded in the federal university, pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with his administration as his government  works assiduously to tackle the teething problems facing the nation.

He noted that the establishment of Specialised Universities of Agriculture in the country was well thought out and properly planned.

He said: "As a nation we are looking up to the universities to innovatively drive the transformation of our agricultural sector to achieve food security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," noting that the realisation of this informed the establishment of more Schools of Agriculture.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe enumerated some of the modest achievements his administration has recorded within his brief stay in office.

These, he said, include hosting of a Presidential Visitation panel that assessed the activities of the university over a period of 10 years. Within his 100 days in office, he hosted accreditation teams from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for evaluation of their undergraduate and post graduate programmes in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.  Today, the school’s 57 programmes have been accredited.

On infrastructural development, his administration has completed most of the abandoned uncompleted projects that litter the premises of the school.

He has refurbished and furnished students hostels, renovated the three winged lecture hall.

"The contract for the construction of a new building for Department of Environmental management and Toxicology has been awarded to Messrs Channel Resources Services limited.

"Apart from these, the school has several linkages with national and international bodies established by the government of Prof. Iwe.

Prof Iwe further observed that the School is graduating a total number of 8229 graduands Bachelor's degree have 6917 graduands while post graduate Diploma are  159 , while  Masters Degree  Graduands are  802 and doctorate Degree  have 491  graduands.

Prof Iwe further disclosed that though the school have won some laurels but there are some challenges facing the institution and these among others include paucity of funds, the school is still grappling for funds to the school effective and we'll deserved administration, the Institution is still bedevilled by the effects of COVID 19 pandemic and another is unstable academic calendar.

"The delisting of the School from taking management courses .have caused a great set back to the school.

"Concluding, the Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Prof. Iwe said MOUAU has a bright future and great potentials.

"We now stand at the cross road of history where opportunities beckon on us to reach beyond ourselves to overcome the base and selfish distractions that tie us down and strive for the things that matter to dig into the inner recesses of the gifts and talent God has given us in order to serve and promote the interests of the university."