No fewer than 113 persons have obtained First Class Degrees out of 12,282 graduands in the combined convocation of Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS).
The vice chancellor of the institution, Professor Abdullahi Zuru, disclosed this at a pre-convocation press conference Tuesday in Sokoto.
Zuru said the graduands included 135 persons who obtained PhD, 770 master’s degrees, 96 postgraduate diplomas, 10,994 first degrees and 287 diplomas.
The VC explained that 109 students would also receive various prizes based on their excellent performances.
He said 2,375 graduands obtained second class upper degrees, 6,603 second class lower, 1,556 third class, while 347 were on unclassified degree categories.
Zuru added that three eminent Nigerians were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees. They are business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Emir of Gwandu Alhaji Iliyasu Bashar and Sheikh Mujtaba Isa-Talatan Mafara.
He said Dangote would receive Doctor of Science (D.Sc), Bashar (D. LLD) and Isa-Talatan Marafa (D.Litts) honoris causa.
Two distinguished retirees who have dedicated their entire working career to the service of UDUS and the nation at large, he said, would be conferred with Emeriti status.
He said the beneficiaries are Emir of Yauri in Kebbi state, Dr Zayyanu Abdullahi, as Chancellor Emeritus and the Permanent Representative to the United Nation, Professor Tijjani Bande, as the Professor Emeritus.
He lauded the efforts of Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) UDUTHS branch for introducing a pre-convocation medical outreach where they offered free medical services to the university community.
