The Tertiary Education Trust Fund has sponsored 185 teaching and non-teaching staff members of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, for training programmes.

Ibrahim Umar, vice-chancellor of the university, stated this at a news conference marking the 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremony on Tuesday in Yola.

He said many other staff members were at present undergoing various local and international training.

“We have been working assiduously on staff welfare and capacity building as integral parts of our overall reform agenda.

“We have introduced interest-free loans, burial financial support for families of staff who die in active service.

“At this juncture, I want to most sincerely thank the federal government, the Adamawa government, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, the North-East Development Commission, the Nigerian Revenue Service, security agencies, all our partners, the National Assembly,” he said.

Mr Umar further said that the university, during the period under review, graduated a total of 7,094 students with 116 first class, 1,798 second class upper, 2,978 second class lower, 809 third class and three pass.

He also appreciated the National University Commission for approving 20 new academic programmes.

The VC said that in line with the programme for the ceremony, there would be a pre-convocation lecture on Friday by Umaru Pate, vice-chancellor of Federal University of Kashere, Gombe.

(NAN)