THE Osun State University (UNIOSUN) over the weekend turned out 362 graduands at its maiden convocation with nine of the graduating students recording first class degrees.
The historic convocation ceremony held at the university’s main campus in Osogbo also witnessed the conferment of an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) on the pioneer chancellor, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
The breakdown of class of degrees showed that 167 graduands were in the upper class division, 176, bagged second-class lower while 10 obtained third class.
Speaking on the occasion, the visitor to the university and governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola canvassed the setting up of a collegiate university by the south west states in view of the rising cost in running the university system.
He said if the regional state governors pooled resources they could easily establish and effectively manage the affairs of the university and offer admission to a large number of students seeking university education in the area.
Aregbesola, who paid glowing tributes to the former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola for his role in making the university a reality, noted that recognition should be given to deserving Nigerians without recourse to partisan politics in areas where they did well.
His comment on Oyinlola, his main political opponent attracted a loud ovation from the crowd.
Tracing the evolution of the university system in the country, he lamented that most graduates from tertiary institutions in recent times lack necessary skills needed to make them attractive in the labour market.