Fifty three students graduated with first class degrees from the University of Ibadan (UI) out of 2,362 graduands in Ibadan on Friday.

The first class graduates emerged from the institution’s Faculties of Arts, Science, Clinical Science and Public Health.

Prof. Emilolorun Ayelari, the Ag. Vice-Chancellor of UI, disclosed this at the 67th Foundation Day and Convocation 2015 held at the International Conference Centre in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that 14 of the 53 first class graduates were of the Faculty of Arts, 32 from Faculty of Science, one each from Clinical Science, Public Health, Distance Learning and four from affiliate institutions.

Ayelari said 494 had Second Class (Upper Division), 822 secured Second Class (Lower Division), 185 had Third Class, 40 in the Pass category, 177 from unclassified degrees and 48 diplomas.

He said the 53 first class graduates had become UI scholars, adding that the university would bear the cost of their studies up till their doctorate (PhD) degrees.

Ayelari urged the graduands to be good ambassadors of the institution wherever they find themselves.

Responding on behalf of the graduands, Ms Ejemenare Daodu, from the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, said they had come a long way but thanked God that they had succeeded.

“It was not all rosy. We experienced many challenges. There were times for laughter and times of despair.

“All the challenges we faced have shaped us into intellectuals that we are today’’, she said.

Daodu, who secured the highest number of awards at the ceremony, urged the students of the institution to be fully prepared for the task.

She called on the management of the institution to embrace the digital world that is growing fast.

“I look forward to a day when Nigerian students will on admission know the date they will graduate.

“What I mean is an educational system devoid of incessant industrial strikes’’, she said.

Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, who graduated from the Faculty of Law, said he was glad he succeeded, despite the his responsibilities.

Ayelari presented the incoming Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, to the audience. He will take over 1 December.