UNIJOS; H.E. RT. HON. (DR) Simon Bako Lalong goodwill message at the 33rd and 43th combined convocation.

H.E. RT. HON. (DR) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG, CON, goodwill message at the 33rd and 43th combined convocation of the University of Jos held at the convocation arena, Naruga Campus, Jos, Plateau State on 13th May 2023.

At the combined convocation of the University of Jos, the goodwill message by H.E. RT. HON. (DR) Simon Bako Lalong Protocols are as follow;\

1.  It is with great pleasure that I address this very important occasion which is the 33rd and 34th combined convocation ceremony of the University of Jos. Indeed this University has come a long way from humble beginnings rising to be one of the topmost centres for teaching and research in Nigeria and the world at large.

2.  I am happy to have personally passed through this great citadel of learning and drank from its pool of knowledge as a student. GREAT JOSITES! Permit me to congratulate all the graduands who are receiving award of degrees and other certificates having put in so much time and resources to study.

3.  Let me also use this opportunity to warmly congratulate and welcome the newly appointed Chancellor of the University His Royal Highness Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli CFR, the Emir of Zazzau  to Plateau State. I have no doubt that this university will attain greater heights under your leadership because of your vast knowledge and contacts as a Lawyer, Diplomat, Banker and revered Royal Father.

4.  Similarly, I congratulate other awardees of Honourary Doctorate Degrees which include our father Ambassador Yahaya Kwande and another distinguished son of Plateau in whom we are well pleased Prof. Suleiman Elias Bogoro, former Executive Secretary TetFund. These awardees including his Royal Highness merit such considerations because of their track record of achievements and contribution to humanity.

5.  At an occasion such as this, the significant role that the University of Jos has played in the development of Plateau State and Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised. This is because wherever you go in Nigeria and around the world, the products of this University are doing exceptionally well in various capacities.

6.  This shows that the University is built on solid ground and has consolidated its gains made over many years of productive teaching, learning and research. The University has also made its mark in conducting breakthrough researches that have earned it grants from within and outside the country. 

7.  For me as Governor of Plateau State and Visitor to the Plateau State University Bokkos, the Government owes a lot of gratitude to the University of Jos for midwifing the university and contributing to its reopening when I came into office. There has been tremendous progress ever since such that today the university has grown into a 7 Faculty institution with a Post Graduate School. It has also conducted convocation for 7 sets.

8.  As we bow out of office, I am happy to say that we are handing over a very strong and virile PLASU to our successors despite the fact that we inherited it closed. I want to thank the NUC and Tetfund as well as the good people of Plateau State for standing with us to record the achievements we see today. The same story goes for other tertiary institutions owned by Plateau State.

9.  Being my last address to any convocation of this great University as the Governor of Plateau State, I wish to thank the management of the University past and present for collaborating and cooperating with us to achieve a lot particularly within the academic sector. I have personally benefitted from some of the best brains of the University including my Deputy Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden who was a former Vice Chancellor of Unijos.

10. To the graduands, I congratulate you and admonish you to go out there with zeal, courage and determination to conquer. The times are tough and require people with ambition and vision to create or take advantage of opportunities rather than look in despair for white collar jobs that do not exist. 

11.  Those days are over and you have to engage yourselves in entrepreneurial activities and innovation. Do not be afraid to start small as many of the captains of industry in Nigeria and around the world started small to become what they are today. I wish you all the best and look forward to celebrating your exploits. 

12.God bless the University of Jos! God bless Plateau State!! God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!.

MySchoolNews reporting.