By Gabriel Dike
President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged the academic feat attained by two octogenarians, Dr. Dayo Duyile and Dr. Obiageli Okonji, both bagged PhD and M.Ed at 83 and 82 years at the 53rd convocation ceremony of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.
Buhari, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Dr. Chris Maiyaki, lauded the duo of Duyile and Okonji for their accomplishment of graduating with PhD in Mass Communication and M.Ed in Guidance and Counselling.
He said with the a academic feat, the octogenarians have proven that age is not a barrier when one set a target in life to achieve.
President Buhari tasked the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola to run an inclusive administration.
He commended the governing council for doing a thorough job in the appointment of the new VC without rancour.
The VC, Prof. Ogunsola disclosed that the university would confer 2, 251 graduating students with degrees made up of 67 postgraduate diplomas, 2,1190 masters and ,65 doctorate degrees.
She said the overall best PhD thesis award went to Dr. Ahmed Amoo Yinusa from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and also the best PhD thesis in Science.
The VC further stated that Dr. Rita Okorite Kienka of the Department of Guidance and Counselling emerged the best PhD thesis in Humanities.
She added: “The oldest graduating student is Dayo Michael Duyile, who obtained his PhD in Mass Communication at the age of 83 years.
“Incidentally, Duyile was the Journalist who covered the opening ceremony of the University of Lagos on October 3, 1962 while working for Daily Times.
“Another octogenarian, a female, Bridget Obiageli Okonji, obtained her M.Ed in Guidance and Counselling at the age of 82 years.”
The university conferred Gold Media awards to Prof. John Olaleru, a celebrated professor of Mathematics and Prof. Duro Oni, a Theatre guru.
The best overall PhD thesis award, Yinusa, appealed to the Federal Government to pay the eight months withheld salaries to Lecturers in the universities.
