President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerian graduates to exercise patriotism and avoid the temptation of seeking greener pastures outside the country.

The President made the appeal in his address at the 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremony of the University of Uyo held at the institution’s permanent ground, Nwanniba road on Saturday.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Georgewill, charged the graduands to be agents of change by utilising their knowledge and tools in solving societal issues for betterment of the country and the world at large.

“As you go into the world, I urge you to be agents of change, using your knowledge and tools in uplifting our society and contributing to the growth and development of Nigeria and the world at large.

“I appeal to your sense of patriotism, imploring you to avoid the temptation of hurrying to look for greener pastures outside. We can make our pastures equally as green or even greener than those of other climes”.

While noting the current challenges facing the country, Tinubu said his administration was implementing measures aimed at mitigating their impact on the citizenry, especially the vulnerable.

The President lamented that despite the establishment of numerous centres of learning across tertiary institutions, outcomes of research efforts end up in the shelves of their respective authors.

He charged universities to take the lead in championing demand-driven research that would contribute to the enhancement of human lives

Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno who bagged a doctorate degree of political science of the University in his goodwill said the conferment was a testament to perseverance and faith in the unending and unchangeable possibilities that exist if you believe.

He added that the conferment would motivate him to more for the state.

PUNCH