Cross Section of UN-ARCSSTE-E Academic Programme Management and Dignitaries @ Graduation Ceremony of 2023/2024 Postgraduate Diploma Programme held on 26th August, 2024.
Welcome Address being delivered by the Executive Director, Engr. Dr. Seyi F. Olatoyinbo @ 24th Graduation Ceremony of UN-ARCSSTE-E 26th August, 2024
L-R: OAU Vice-Chancellor (Prof. A. S. Bamire ably represented by Prof V. F. Olaleye), UN-ARCSSTEE Executive Director (Engr. Dr. S. F. Olatoyinbo) and Guest Lecturer ( Prof. R. E. Okonji) @ 24th Graduation Ceremony of UN-ARCSSTE-E Postgraduate Diploma Programme held on 26th August, 2024.
Award Presents to the best Graduating Student in Remote Sensing/GIS @ 24th Graduation Ceremony of UN-ARCSSTE-E.
Cross Section of PGD Graduates of Remote Sensing/GIS & Space Law @ 24th Graduation Ceremony of UN-ARCSSTE-E
The United Nations African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in English (UN-ARCSSTE-E) held its 24th Postgraduate Diploma Graduation Ceremony on Monday, 26th August, 2024 in its Space Museum situated within the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Campus, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
The occasion was graced by dignitaries from renowned educational and governmental institutions within OAU Campus. The dignitaries in attendance included; the Vice Chancellor of OAU, Prof. A. S. Bamire, ably represented by the Provost of Postgraduate College, Prof. V. F. Olaleye, the Executive Director of AFRIGIST, Prof L. M. Ojigi, also represented by Surveyor Abdoulaye Belem (Deputy Director, AFRIGIST), Prof. R. E. Okonji (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, OAU), Prof. M. O. Olawole (HOD, Geography Department, OAU) represented by Dr. S. Ayanlade of the same Department, Dr. O. Odusanya (DG/CEO of NACETEM), Prof. Koya Olufemi (Director of Distance Learning, OAU), and Dr. O. Alabi (Director/CEO of COPINE).
The Executive Director, Dr. S. F. Olatoyinbo, in his welcome address informed that the graduation ceremony was the first being presided over by him as the seventh Executive Director of UN-ARCSSTE-E. While reiterating the Centre’s commitment to the implementation of its mandates, the Executive Director stressed that the Centre has trained over 600 participants including men and officers from Nigerian and Ghanaian Military, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services from eighteen (18) African countries. Speaking further, the Executive Director stated that a good number of these participants are deploying the specialized knowledge and skills gained from their training in various strategic fields across the globe.
Furthermore, the Executive Director hinted on the Centre’s collaborative efforts as an effective way of advancing and attaining scientific progress in any field of endeavour. He informed the gathering that the Centre has started a joint-master’s programme with the Department of Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University in two (2) thematic areas namely: Disaster Management and Space Population Studies. He called on the graduands to avail themselves of the opportunities these academic programmes provide and charged them to effectively deploy the specialized knowledge and skills acquired during training to address the numerous societal problems wherever they find themselves. Similarly, he acknowledged the great efforts of his predecessor, Prof. Babatunde Rabiu, in moving the Centre forward.
The graduation lecture titled “Nutrition and Work Ethics’, was delivered by Prof. Raphael Okonji, a seasoned Biochemist. Prof. Okonji emphasized that proper nutrition at the workplace would boost focus, enhance problem-solving ability and increase productivity. Describing the chemical process that occurs after food is consumed, he stated the imperativeness of consuming a balanced diet. He explained that the health status of workers is critical for maximum productivity.
The Head of the Academic Programmes, Dr. F. N. Buba presented the 2023/2024 Postgraduate Diploma Graduands of Remote Sensing & GIS and Space Law, which comprised of fourteen (14) Nigerians, four (4) Cameroonians, one (1) Ethiopian, two (2) Kenyans, and one (1), Liberian, a total of twenty-two (22) graduands. Mr. Wanjiru Josphat Njuguna (from Kenya) and Mr. Degu Tadesse Sendekie (from Ethiopia) emerged as the overall Best Graduating Student and the Best Project Student, respectively. Also, the best Graduating Female Student went to Ms. Odhiambo Mourine Auma (from Kenya).
Mr. Samam Obaguo (Deputy Director, Admin UN-ARCSSTE-E) who gave the vote of thanks, expressed the Centre’s gratitude to the Executive Director of UN-ARCSSTE-E for his commitment to the Centre and for the role he played in making the graduation ceremony possible. Furthermore, he appreciated the Vice Chancellor of OAU and the invited guests from sister institutions within the university community for adding colour to the event. In addition, he commended the guest speaker for the enlightening lecture, and thanked the graduands and all the Centre’s staff in attendance.
