The management of the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, has reiterated its earlier decision to allow only First Class graduates attend its next convocation ceremony.
The institution made the emphasis while issuing a disclaimer against online and social media report, which claims that the management had rescinded the decision.
The management, in a statement by the Director of Public Communication, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, described the report as mischievous, deceitful, misleading, unreliable and irresponsible urged all graduates, parents, guardians and the general public to disregard the publication.
The statement titled “UI lifts ban on non-first class graduate to attend convocation: A disclaimer” reads in parts “The management of the University of Ibadan wishes to refute an information being circulated by one online medium, naasvoice, to the effect that the institution will allow non-first class graduates at this year’s graduation ceremony.
“The said publication is mischievous, deceitful, misleading, unreliable and irresponsible.
“Graduates, parents, guardians and the general public are advised to disregard the publication.
“As earlier stated, the University’s management takes this seemingly painful decision in order to curtail and contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, and its Delta variant which is virulent, during the period of graduation ceremony.
“We are restating that ‘attendance at the International Conference Centre is open to First Class Honours graduands and recipients of prizes and awards only’.
“We are using this category of graduates as a point of contact with over 8,000 graduates at this year’s ceremony. We could have invited graduates in the third class or pass division. We appreciate our stakeholders for their understanding and co-operation in this circumstance,” he explained.
The management used the medium to congratulate the 2021 graduates on the landmark occasion and prayed for the joy of the event to be permanent in their lives.