No fewer than 83 graduates of the Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State bagged First Class as the institution held its 16th convocation ceremony on Thursday.

In his address at the University Auditorium, the Vice-Chancellor of the faith-based institution, Prof. Shadrach Olufemi Akindele disclosed that the school graduated a total of 1,055 of its undergraduate students, with 83 of them in the First Class category.

Akindele added that 435 of the graduates were in the Second Class Upper Division, 319 in the Second Class Lower Division and 86 in the Third Class category.

He said, “Thirteen students are graduating with a Pass Degree. In the Nursing and Physiotherapy programmes, three students are graduating with Pass with Distinction.

“In the Diploma Category, three graduates are in the Distinction category,14 are in the Upper Credit Division, and 5 in the Lower Credit Division.

“At the postgraduate level, a total of 387 students graduated today. Thirty-three of them are at PhD level, three at MPhil. level, 215 at Masters level, and 137 and postgraduate diploma level.

“Two very unique features of this year’s convocation are that it is the first time the university is graduating students in Architecture, Electrical/Electronics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering and two students from same department are tied as the best overall graduating students with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.96.

“We are also proud that both of them are female, one is Favour and the other is Grace! The favour and grace of God has made this possible, Halleluyah!”

The VC urged the graduates to be agents, ambassadors of hope and leaders with a vision for a better future.

He further charged them to transform their communities, nation and world, stressing that “our society is in need of innovative solutions, ethical leadership, and compassionate hearts.

“In this time of uncertainty and change, you are called to rise above mediocrity and shine as beacons of light and hope. You have been equipped for this, and you will conquer in Jesus name, Amen.”

Meanwhile, the university honoured two Nigerians – Mr Tolulope Babatunde Adewusi,a businessman and entrepreneur, the Chairman and CEO of TG Marchnata Enterprises (TGM Education) and Executive One Capital and Mrs Grace Olufunmilayo Tamuno, an accomplished academic and librarian, who served as the first University Librarian of the Redeemer’s University pro bono – with award of honorary degree.