From VICTOR GAI, Jalingo
Taraba State University has graduated 17,759 students across four academic sessions, with 74 of them earning first-class degrees.
The graduates were presented at the university’s combined convocation held on Saturday at the institution’s Convocation Square.
The university recorded 3,084 graduates for the 2021-2022 academic session, 4,609 for 2022-2023, 4,666 for 2023-2024 and 5,402 for 2024-2025.
The 74 first-class graduates comprised 22 from the 2021-2022 session, 25 from 2022-2023, 15 from 2023-2024 and 12 from 2024-2025.
Governor Agbu Kefas, who addressed the graduates, said his administration had taken steps to address some of the challenges affecting the university since assuming office in 2023.
He said the university had faced academic disruptions, infrastructure deficits, accreditation pressures and welfare concerns, among other difficulties.
“At the height of the crisis, I came personally to the university because leadership must not remain at a safe distance from a problem.
“A leader must go where the problem is, listen, accept responsibility, and take necessary decisions,” Kefas said.
The governor said the government had reduced tuition fees, supported the accreditation of academic programmes, secured approval for the induction of Medical Laboratory Science students and obtained approval for the commencement of the Law programme.
He added that work was ongoing to renovate university hostels and address other infrastructure needs, while the government was also implementing the new minimum wage and working to clear related backlogs.
Kefas urged the graduates to consider entrepreneurship and other forms of enterprise rather than relying solely on white-collar employment.
“Our students must be prepared not only to look for employment, but also to create enterprises and opportunities for others,” he said.
He also urged them to avoid cultism, drug abuse, violence and examination malpractice, while encouraging them to acquire practical and digital skills.
“Your certificate may open a door, but it is your character, competence, and discipline that will keep you in the room,” he said.
The governor said the state government remained committed to improving education and creating conditions that would enable students and graduates to contribute to the state’s development.