The authorities of the University of Benin on Tuesday said it had been granted license by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to operate a 15-megawatts photo-voltaic solar power project.
Vice Chancellor of the institution, Faraday Orumwense, made the disclosure during a press conference to reel out the activities lined up for the 44th convocation/48th founder’s day ceremony of the university.
Orumwense said the project would be operated under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement being driven by the United Kingdom branch of the University Alumni body.
He also said the institution was currently negotiating with various local and international organisations in the area of hostel development and staff housing projects.
He noted that when completed the hostel development would provide more opportunity in residency for staff and students for improve security.
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The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that a total of 11,832 graduands were to be awarded various diplomas and degrees during the convocation.
He added that 134 students bagged First Class, 2,122 second class upper, 4,864 second class lower, 1,156 third class, while one student graduated with a pass.
He also added that 240 bagged Doctorate Degree (Ph.D), 2,207 masters degree, 559 with graduate diploma, 83 diploma, while 426 unclassified.
He further disclosed that the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, would be conferred with the Honorary Doctor of Law (L.LD) Honoris Causa, while the university founder’s day lecture would be delivered by Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, the former managing director of Access Bank, an alumnus of the university.
Other to be conferred with honorary degrees of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) Honoris Causa and Professor Emeritus by the university are Margaret Ekhoe Benson-Idahosa, Archbishop, Church of God Mission, who also doubled as the Chancellor, Benson Idahosa University, and Augustine Alenezela Enowoghomwenma Orhue, a senior professor in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, College of Medical Sciences,
He said, Margaret Ekhoe Benson-Idahosa would be honoured for her outstanding contributions to education and human capital development in Nigeria.
He however, attributed the successes recorded by the institution to the support of the federal government, stakeholders of the university and Tertiary Education Trust Fund for its generous funds to the school.
