The Federal Government has appointed the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, as the Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
The installation took place during the university’s 13th Convocation and Investiture Ceremony in Abuja, where President Bola Tinubu, the institution’s visitor, officiated.
A total of 22,175 graduates received various degrees and awards during the event.
President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, charged the Benin monarch to enhance the university’s prospects in fulfilling its core mission.
Oba Ewuare II was also honored with an Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration by the university.
In his acceptance speech, the Oba called for increased funding for the institution and cautioned against diluting standards when establishing new universities.
He advocated for NOUN graduates to be included in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme by amending the institution’s enabling act.
The monarch praised the university’s management for their dedication to service, emphasizing the significance of knowledge acquisition regardless of academic background.
Prof. Olufemi Peters, the Vice Chancellor of the 42-year-old institution highlighted the convocation as a milestone for the graduates, marking a new era for those seeking knowledge.
