Diri offers automatic employment to 66 UAT’s First-Class graduates

Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa has offered automatic employment. This offer is specifically for First Class degree graduates of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT). The university is in the Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

Diri announced this on Saturday. The announcement was made at the maiden combined convocation ceremony of the 2020/2021 academic session. It was also made for the 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2024 academic sessions of the university. He said the gesture was part of measures to check the brain drain syndrome.

The governor said the gesture had been replicated in other state-owned tertiary institutions. This includes the Niger Delta University, Amassoma. This action aligns with his administration’s policy to prioritise education and boost human capital development.

The governor congratulated the graduands. He praised his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West. The senator was recognized for his vision and political will in establishing the UAT. The governor noted that UAT was meeting the educational needs of the state and beyond.

ln line with our government’s policy, all First Class graduates of UAT will be offered automatic employment. This ensures that we do not lose our best brains.

“This first combined convocation ceremony of UAT is momentous and historical. When l took over as governor, l had a lot of presentations, which included closing down the UAT. I came to the inescapable conclusion. Instead of shutting it down, I opted to establish more. Education remains our number one priority,” Diri said.

Diri, Visitor to the UAT, announced the appointment and investiture of Dr. Nwachukwu Nnam Obi III, Ogba of Ogbaland in Rivers, as the institution’s Chancellor.

Diri responded to the challenges presented by the Vice Chancellor. He said the government will continue to address them through collaborative efforts. He urged the institution to explore funding modules to generate income.

The governor assured that the auditorium and Senate building projects would be completed before the end of his tenure. He promised that the government would also address the problem of staff accommodation. Transport vehicles will be provided to help workers and students at UAT. These vehicles will also support those at NDU and the Federal University, Otuoke.

On the institution’s power needs, Diri said that the 60MW independent power plant was procured by the government. When it becomes functional, it will cover the university’s location.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Ebobrah, announced that 66 were awarded first-class degrees out of the 905 graduands of the four academic sessions.

He expressed appreciation to the Diri administration for its increased monthly subvention to the UAT. He listed a number of challenges. These include uncompleted auditorium and Senate buildings, lack of perimeter fencing, and power supply. Other challenges are staff accommodation, lecture theatres, and office accommodation for both teaching and non-teaching staff, among others.

In his remarks, the Pro Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Mr. Kemela Okara, expressed gratitude to the government. He thanked them for their support towards the successful accreditation of all programmes by the National Universities Commission.