Three of the Chibok girls who managed to escape Boko Haram captivity in 2014 are now among the 189 students who have earned their bachelor’s degrees in various disciplines from the American University of Nigeria (AUN).
These girls are part of a group of about 30 internally displaced girls who were enrolled at AUN starting from basic education and are now the second group from this initiative to graduate in the past three years.
During the university’s 15th commencement ceremony, held in Yola on Saturday May 18, 2024, President of the University, Dwayne Frazier, addressed the students.
He encouraged them to uphold the principles of the institution and highlighted AUN’s role in preparing students to face new challenges.
“AUN is a developing university that prepares students on how to face new challenges,” Frazier stated.
He praised the graduates for their resilience, determination, and commitment, expressing confidence in their ability to excel and contribute to the nation’s development.
The guest speaker at the ceremony, Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN), discussed the significant impact that universities can have on the world.
He emphasized that AUN has shown its potential to make a positive difference. “With the entrepreneurship lectures and training you have received here at AUN, you can create jobs for yourselves,” Ozekhome told the graduates.
This academic year saw a diverse group of students completing their studies at AUN. Eight students were awarded PhDs, ten students received their MSc degrees, and 189 students graduated with BSc degrees.
In addition to these achievements, Professor Ozekhome was honored with a Doctor of Letters degree in recognition of his extensive work in promoting peace, human rights, the rule of law, development, democracy, and good governance in Nigeria.
