The personalities being honoured are His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mustafa Agwai I, Emir of Lafia; Alhaji Maitama Sule, DanMasanin Kano; Chief Solomon Lar, Walin Langtang; and Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, Wazirin Ilorin.

In a speech at the occasion, Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma said the awards were in keeping with University tradition of recognizing and honouring outstanding contributions, merit and excellence. He therefore congratulated the recipients for the well deserved honour, trusting that the happy development would spur them to greater heights in service to the nation and to humanity.

During the Convocation ceremony, an endowment fund will also be launched with the Senate President, Senator (Dr.) David Mark, GCON, serving as Chairman. Speaking on the launching, Governor Akwe Doma said that endowment funds, the world over, are designed to bridge the gap between “town and gown”.  He therefore called for a partnership between Government and men and women of goodwill. In this connection, he appealed to all and sundry to support the endowment fund by donating generously to the noble cause.

In another development, the convocation will mark the exit of the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Adamu Baikie, CON, whose tenure will end of December 31, 2009. Paying tribute to the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Governor Doma acknowledged and saluted the towering academic and administrative qualities of Professor Baikie, the application of which translated the institution from a fledgling academy to a renowned international centre of learning. In the same, he welcomed Professor Shamsudeen Amali, OFR, who will be taking over the reins as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University.