President Bola Tinubu has formally installed Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, the Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom, as the chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere in Gombe State.

The investiture, held on Saturday in Gombe, coincided with the university’s combined sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth convocation ceremonies for the award of higher degrees and the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees.

Mr Tinubu was represented at the event by Ibrahim Garba, the vice-chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.

“By the powers conferred on me as the visitor to this university, I formally install you, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr Lawrence Agubuzu, as the chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere.

“I also confer upon you all the rights, powers, and privileges pertaining to this office,” he said.

The vice-chancellor, Umaru Pate, pledged his loyalty and support to the newly installed chancellor, who is the chairman of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers.

Mr Pate said the university council also approved the conferment of the honorary doctorate of letters on the chancellor.

“By the authority vested in me as vice-chancellor of FUK, I confer upon you, Your Majesty, the Honorary Doctorate Degree of Letters,” he said.

The chancellor, Igwe Agubuzu, expressed appreciation for the honour bestowed on him.

He commended the Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu III, and other emirs for promoting peace and cultural continuity in the area.

The royal father enjoined the graduates to be good ambassadors of the institution and to uphold the values, excellence, and integrity instilled in them.

He said the other four recipients of the honorary doctorate degrees had become part of the legacy and future of the university by virtue of their conferment.

The university also conferred honorary doctorate degrees on four notable Nigerians in recognition of their outstanding contributions to national development and nation-building across sectors.

They are: Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Orji Uzor Kalu, Kole Shettima and Abubakar Bichi.

Mr Pate was recognised for his work in health policy, public health leadership, and improving healthcare access for Nigerians.

One of the recipients, Mr Kalu, thanked the University Governing Board, the chancellor, and the vice-chancellor for the honour bestowed upon them.

He also lauded Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his contributions to the university and urged him to sustain the tempo.

The university earlier awarded first-degree certificates to 6,870 graduates during a convocation ceremony held on Friday.

(NAN)