President Muhammadu Buhari has showered encomiums on the University of Ilorin on its academic stability, quality education and unprecedented infrastructural development. The President, who gave the commendation last Friday (October 23, 2015) in his address at the 40th Anniversary and 31st convocation ceremonies of the institution, commended the Better by far University for attaining the milestone age of 40 years.

Acknowledging the distinction of the University as "being the most stable and peaceful among Federal universities in Nigeria, President Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Engr. Babachir Lawal, said, "because of this, it (Unilorin) is one of the most sought-after University by parents and students alike".

He, therefore, said, "It is my passion and prayer that the University will continue to grow in strength and even more resolve to work for the greater glory of our dear country". A total of 6, 710 students graduated at this year's convocation, 5,454 of whom are First Degree graduates, 1,225 are higher degree graduands while the remaining 31 are Diploma graduands. Of the postgraduate category, 165 would be conferred with Postgraduate Diplomas, 781 Academic Masters; 154 Professional Masters Degrees and 125 Ph.Ds.

Sixty-nine of the 5,454 First Degree graduates came out with First Class while 1392 got Second Class Upper Division; 2884 got Second Class Lower; 932 got Third Class and 82 got the Pass degree. President Buhari also called on university lecturers in the country to desist from using students as their laboratories for their doctrines or as cannon fodders for their struggles in the society. He also appealed to the lecturers to ensure that the students under their care are "not used as agents for the destabilisation of our society".

Pointing out that the task of grooming youths for national development devolves on the universities, President Buhari stressed that "our universities must demonstrate high quality intellectual leadership that will engender political, economic and social progress so that together we might build a nation that will be the pride of all". The President pledged that "Government will continue to create employment and other opportunities for our youths to thrive" and urged universities in the country to "key into the evolving ethical revolution, because without discipline, law and order, no society can make any meaningful progress."

Stressing the importance of attitudinal re-orientation, President Buhari said that the task of transforming Nigeria into a prosperous and respectable nation would be a mirage if the nation's leaders do not adopt the right attitude. According to him, "Except our leaders get it right and adopt the right attitude, the task of transforming our country to a prosperous and respectable nation will be a mirage. It cannot be business as usual. I therefore call on everyone to partner with government to uproot the evils of corruption, graft, economic sabotage, criminality, delinquency and all forms of indiscipline from our society.

President Buhari said that his administration has come to the realisation that "globalisation of market, interdependence of international systems, expanding roles of technology and high skilled technical, vocational and managerial leaders are the key drivers of any national economy. Saying that Nigeria is not different, the President pointed out that in the area of knowledge-based economy, the nation could not but key into this global trend by giving desired attention to the education sector.

He stated that consequently, in search of quality education for sustainable development, the administration was determined to improve access and quality of the nation's education system as far as its resource capacity and capability could support. President Buhari further stated that, his administration would give considerable attention to technical and vocational education and training to provide skill manpower in applied sciences, engineering, technology and commerce to operate, maintain and sustain the nation's economic activities for rapid socio-economic development.

According to the President, this will also help impact necessary skills and competencies leading to the production of artisans, technicians, technologists who will be enterprising and self-reliant, and so having the greatest potential to generate employment and reduce poverty in the country.

The twin event drew dignitaries from all walks of life, among whom are the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, who was also installed the new Chancellor of the University on the occasion; the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu Gambari; the Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfattah Ahmed; the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Chief (Mrs.) Tomori, who represented the Governor; the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Chiedu Felix Mafiana, who represented the Executive Secretary; several Vice-Chancellors of some Nigerian universities, as well as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, Prof. ... The representative of President Buhari and the Ghanaian President later commissioned about 22 projects executed by the University administration within the last one year. The projects include: These include: the four-storey Faculty of Arts Complex; the new Senate Building Security Gate; the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies Building; the Faculty of Education Lecture Hall; the Faculty of Science Phase IV; Faculty of Science Phase V; Animal House Building; Department of Optometry and Vision Science Building and the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Workshops. Others are: the new Faculty of Engineering Lecture Hall; the Faculty of Agriculture Laboratory; the Faculty of Management Sciences Lecture Hall; Access road to the Researchers' Village; Water supply from Main Campus to College of Health Sciences; Electricity supply from Main Campus to College of Health Sciences; Six Sit-out for students; Medical Assessment Centre; Offices for Physical Planning Unit; as well as a number of private hostels.