The Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (MCIU), situated in Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, has announced that it will offer tuition-free Agricultural Science programmes for selected students.
The Agricultural Science programme at MCIU, according to the university’s Vice Chancellor Prof Ibiyinka Fuwape, is unique, as it operates on a work-study structure, ensuring students gain hands-on, practical experience alongside theoretical learning. Through this approach, students will actively participate in fieldwork, agricultural projects, and internships that expose them to modern farming techniques and innovative agricultural practices.
Confirming the announcement at the conclusion of the 10th Convocation of the university, where graduates of the 2024/2025 session received certificates and prizes and selected individuals were awarded honorary doctorate degrees, the MCIU Pro-chancellor and Governing Council Chairman, Prof Anthony Kila, remarked that “the announcement is a delightful and praiseworthy initiative that gives hope to the needy and the talented and an example of how universities can be a source of solution in a country that abounds with needs and talent”.
The Frontier reports that the Convocation, held on Saturday, September 6, 2005, was attended by the Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, traditional rulers, business leaders, academics from various institutions, as well as leaders of thought and elder statesmen including Elder Solomon Asemota (SAN).
Honorary doctorate degrees were awarded to Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Phd), Trinidad and Tobago-born David Raggay, a management consultant, and Mark Giwa-Amu, an architect and Royal Military Academy-trained officer. Stephanie Adebor also won a prize and was recognised as the best graduating student.
Also commenting on the scholarship for the Agricultural Science programme, MCIU registrar, Dr Thomas Kolo, commented that “this initiative reflects the unwavering commitment of the university’s Chancellor and Co-founder, Dr. Mrs. Cecilia Ibru MFR OFR, to fostering sustainable agricultural development and creating opportunities for aspiring students passionate about agriculture”.
In his remarks, the MCIU Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman, Prof Anthony Kila, noted that the MCIU scholarship for the Agricultural Science programme was an opportunity and a challenge, and he called on the private and public sectors as well as individuals to support the programme in any way they could.
