National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stole the show today at the convocation of the University of Abuja held at the convocation square on the permanent campus.
As soon as Asiwaju was called out to receive the university’s Honorary Doctorate Degree, the students surged forward, drumming, dancing and singing ‘Jagaba.’
The excited students, who almost mob Asiwaju as they overpowered the security operatives, held the square hostage and prevented the citation being read on him for more than 20 minutes.
The university orator, who shouted himself hoarse, appealing to the students to go back to their seats, had to continue when it became obvious that the students would not oblige him.
Even after the citation was read amidst the rowdy chants by students, Asiwaju was asked to speak on behalf of the three other recipients of the Honorary Degrees: former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, Justices Idris Kutigi and Aloma Mariyam Mukhtar.,
The students continued with their drumming, dancing and singing even as the Lagos masquerade, the Eyo also provided another entertaining sight in the melee.
Asiwaju started his speech by praising the youths of the university and appealing to them to go and take their seats, adding: “we will talk later.” But his comment added more fuel to the excitement of the students who went wild with jubilation.
During the convocation, 25,878 students from 2009 to 2014 academics years, received Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates.
Among the personalities that attended the convocation were the former Head of the Nigerian Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; the Emir of Zaria who is the Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Shehu Idris; the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Vice Chancellors of other universities. [myad]
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