Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has offered automatic employment to 31 of the best graduating students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara.

Mr Ododo made the pronouncement during the institution’s maiden convocation on Saturday in Osara, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi.

The governor, who congratulated the graduands, described them as the
touchstone of hope and beacon of light of their families, the state, and the nation at large.

He charged them to justify their certification in character and learning and “being the drivers of our future prosperity as a people.”

“I charge you to be global beaters and must exemplify the resilience that defined the establishment of this centre of higher learning by your individual contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.

“We all need to pool our resources together to ensure steady growth of these universities by sponsoring of research efforts and establishment of projects that will support knowledge and enhance infrastructural development.

“That way, we would have bequeathed enduring legacies to generations yet unborn. Let us be committed to building a sustainable legacy for our future growth,” he said.

He assured that his administration would continue to ensure an enabling environment that did not compromise the standards it had attained, while promising to do more to put the university on the global stage.

The chancellor of CUSTECH, Anthony Abumere II, the Onijie of Ekpoma Kingdom, said the giant strides made by the university in five years epitomised the state government’s vision to promote pragmatism and innovative education.

“I can say without equivocation that we will collectively build a CUSTECH that will be a source of pride, not only to the people of Kogi but to Nigeria at large,” he said.

Also speaking, the pro-chancellor, Olu Obafemi, said the growth of CUSTECH required concerted efforts and urged the government, the primary sponsor, the private sector, and good-spirited lovers of education to partner with the university.

(NAN)