By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Vice Chancellor (VC) of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State (MOUAU), Professor Maduebibisi Iwe, has appealed to the National Universities Commission (NUC) to return some academic courses that were delisted from the university some years ago.

The Vice Chancellor made the appeal on Saturday, during the 11th convocation ceremony of the university.

Iwe, who described the loss of the courses as one of the major challenges facing the university, lamented that the situation had denied teeming admission seekers from studying their choice courses in the institution.

The VC also appealed for the release of N10 billion take off funds as recommended by the 2016-2020 Presidential Visitation Panel.

The MOUAU VC said the university has recorded several achievements in research and innovations under his watch, pointing out that 121 out of the 8,369 graduating students made First Class, with Nicholas Chukwuka of Computer Engineering Department becoming the best graduate with 4.90 CGPA.

He cautioned students of the institution against late return to schools on resumption, and observed that such attitudes were affecting the smooth academic calendar of the school.

"We equally urged parents and guardians to always pay their ward’s school fees through the university’s payment platforms.

“Even when they return, some of them play around and indulge in wasteful activities while lectures are going on.”

In his address, President Bola Tinubu who is the Visitor to Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, praised the management and staff of the institution for working hard to realize the institution’s mission and visions, despite many challenges confronting the country.

Tinubu who was represented at the convocation by Garba Sharabutu, the Executive Director of Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, observed that the country is presently grappling with the challenges of diversifying the economy, but said that the nation needs the solid support of agricultural scientist and experts to actualize the objective.

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