From Daniel Dauda, Jos


The executive governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong has offered automatic appointment to about 16 first class graduands of Plateau state university (PLASU), Bokkos, who had performed excellently in their various field of academic persuade.

Lalong also announced cash donations of N500,000 to each of the first graduands as well as the overall best students for the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 academic sessions respectively.

The governor made a pledged during the 6th and 7th combined convocation ceremony held Friday at PLASU premises, Bokkos Local Government Area.

He said affirmed that his administration would continue to focus more priority attention on education.

Accoding to Lalong, "it is the determination of this government to continue to deploy available resources for the development of both the physical infrastructure and manpower to promote effective teaching, learning and research in the University. Because of the efforts we have put in so far and with the support of TetFund and the private sector, the University campus has witnessed tremendous growth and transformation in recent times. 

"This has led to establishment of additional four new faculties of Law, Environmental Science, Health Sciences, and Education as well as the School of Post Graduate Studies. PLASU now has 8 faculties", he stated.

Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Yohanna Izam revealed there were 658 graduands for 2018/2019 academic session and 698 for 2019/2020 academic session totaling 1,356.

" of this number, 2018/2019 academic session has 6 first class honour degrees, 159 second class upper honor degrees, 366 second class lower honour degrees, 125 third class honour degrees and 2 pass degrees. While 2019/2020 academic session has 10 first class honour degrees, 194 second class upper honour degrees, 245 second class lower honour degrees, 129 third class honour degrees and 4 pass degrees. "

The VC who will soon  complete his five years tenure confirmed at the inception, the institution admitted only 350 students. Noting, " the university admission quota later grew to 500 in 2010 and over 1,500 in 2016, as the number of students enrollment currently rose to 4,800 by 2022.

"We currently have a staff strength of over 600 from an initial staff of 32 academic and non-teaching staff at inception."

He challenged the graduands to discard negative vices and embrace virtues of hardworking  to contribute their quota in nation building.

Chairman of the governing council, Prof. Obiora Francis PLASU acknowledged that the institution is expanding, appealed for more funding and support from government and corporate entities.

However, the 6th and 7th combined convocation ceremony heralded with the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees for some  personalities who have distinguished themselves in various field of human endeavor.

These individuals are; Dr.Dere Awosika, chairman, board of directors Access Bank Plc, Professor Isawa Elaigwu, president of the institute of governance and social research (IGSR) and Prof. Ochapa Onazi, pioneer chairman of governing council of the Plateau State university.