The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) says it will hold its first hybrid convocation from October 15,2021, with attendance of the main event restricted to first class, doctoral and prize winning students.

The university’s spokesman, Kunle Akogun, said on Sunday that it would be the institution’s 36th convocation ceremony to be held at the main auditorium.

According to him, the convocation programme will commence on October 15 with a special Juma’at service at the university’s central mosque by 1:30 p.m.

He said that this would be followed by an Interdenominational Church Service at St. Thomas Aquinas Chaplaincy on October 17 at the main campus by 9:00 a.m.

Mr Akogun stated that the main events of the ceremony would formally commence on October 18, with the vice-chancellor’s press briefing at the university’s auditorium by 10:00 a.m.

“This will be followed on October 21 by the Convocation Play, entitled “Aadoye” (No secret anywhere – A South African Dance Interpretation) by Steve James, choreographed by Felix Akinsipe, at the institution’s Performing Arts Theatre at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. respectively.

“This year’s convocation lecture comes up on October 22, to be delivered by a distinguished legal luminary, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN), entitled “Tertiary Education and the Future of Nigeria.”

“The grand finale comes up on Saturday, October 23, with the convocation for the award of prizes, first and postgraduate degrees and diplomas from all the 15 faculties and the postgraduate,” he explained.Attendance to the convocation hall is strictly by invitation, Mr Akogun stressed.

He noted that the dignitaries expected to grace the event include the visitor to the University, President Muhammadu Buhari; the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; and the chancellor of the university, the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, among others.