Abuja: Ms Emem Usoro, the Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged graduands of the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) to exude discipline and excellence in their future endeavours. Usoro made the call after being conferred an honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration by the university.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the CBN official was given the honorary degree at a combined convocation ceremony of the institution at Ikot Akpaden in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. She encouraged the graduands to not be deterred by the challenges and constraints that could confront them in the future, urging them to strive beyond societal and cultural constraints to actualise their dreams.
The CBN deputy governor specifically addressed female graduands, advising them to be humble, respectful, and resilient in their pursuit of future goals. She emphasized the importance of relentless preparation, building the right competencies, and standing firmly for excellence. Usoro encouraged them to aim for new heights, noting that women are already breaking barriers and making waves in different sectors. She urged them to speak up for themselves, be bold and assertive, but to do so with grace and humility.
Usoro also pledged to contribute her quota to the development of the university, expressing gratitude for the confidence reposed in her.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. OtoAbasi Akpan, highlighted the scope of the combined convocation ceremony, which covered the 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025 academic sessions. Akpan announced that the university graduated a total of 6,793 undergraduate and 746 postgraduate students. He noted the institution’s growth from 14 to 17 faculties and the expansion of academic programmes from 66 to 84, which he said was a deliberate response to the changing demands of society, emerging knowledge areas, and the realities of the modern labour market.
The vice chancellor reaffirmed the university’s commitment to pursuing excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and community service, while also acknowledging challenges in areas such as hostel accommodation, staff housing, research funding, and transportation facilities.