Anambra Governor Grants Automatic Employment to 37 First-Class Graduates

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has extended offers of immediate employment to 37 graduates who achieved first-class honours from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) during its 16th convocation ceremony.

Professor Soludo made this significant announcement on Saturday at the university's main campus, located in Igbariam, within the Anambra East Local Government Area.

Additionally, the governor presented a cheque of N4 million to Augustus Umeh, the valedictorian of the graduating class and a student from the Economics Department, who emerged as the overall best graduating student.

Mr. Umeh distinguished himself by achieving a cumulative grade point average of 4.85 out of a possible 5.0.

During his address, Governor Soludo encouraged the graduates to embrace the opportunities ahead, urging them to become sources of hope, innovative thinkers, and catalysts for positive change within society.

"The Nigeria of 2026 presents significant challenges, but it is also on a trajectory of essential transformation. This nation is ours, and we must rise to the occasion instead of focusing solely on grievances," he remarked.

Governor Soludo further challenged the university to prioritize the development of graduates who can solve problems, rather than those who merely count or enumerate.

He reiterated his administration's commitment to placing a high value on human capital development as a cornerstone for building the desired future for the state.

The university's Chancellor, Bishop Matthew Kukah, acknowledged the state government's substantial contributions to the education sector.

"Anambra is performing commendably in education among the 36 states, based on available statistics," Bishop Kukah stated.

He added, "As the new Chancellor, our aim will be not only to meet the university's objectives but to exceed them."

Earlier in her address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kate Omenugha, reported that a total of 3,155 students were awarded first degrees across various undergraduate programmes.

She also noted that 803 graduands received postgraduate degrees in different specializations.

Professor Omenugha provided a further breakdown, indicating that 37 students achieved first-class honours, 888 obtained second-class upper division degrees, and 1,712 were awarded third-class degrees.

She extended her congratulations to all the graduands, urging them to uphold the university's values and represent their alma mater with dignity.

The vice-chancellor also affirmed the university's dedication to achieving global recognition and academic excellence, expressing gratitude to the governor for his support in enhancing the institution's status.