In a symbolic celebration of academic excellence, environmental sustainability, and institutional legacy, the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has honoured its two overall best graduating students with a special tree-planting ceremony at the institution’s newly established Convocation Garden.
The ceremony, held as part of activities marking the University’s 36th Combined Convocation Ceremony, recognised exceptional academic achievements while reinforcing the university’s commitment to sustainability and nation-building.
The distinguished honourees were Miss Loveth Onyeagubor of the Department of Curriculum Studies and Educational Technology, who emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student for the 2023/2024 academic session with an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.94, and Mr Daniel Oyibo of the Department of Finance and Banking, who emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student for the 2024/2025 academic session with a CGPA of 4.82.
Their participation in the tree-planting exercise marked a significant moment in the university’s efforts to immortalise academic excellence while encouraging environmental consciousness among students and future generations.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, described the initiative as a powerful representation of growth, achievement, and the enduring impact of scholarship.
According to him, the trees planted by the outstanding graduates would stand as living monuments to their dedication, resilience, and remarkable academic accomplishments, serving as inspiration for future students striving for excellence.
Professor Georgewill noted that universities must not only celebrate intellectual achievements but also create enduring traditions that connect academic success with social responsibility and sustainable development.
He explained that the Convocation Garden was conceived as a space where excellence would be preserved and remembered, allowing generations of students to draw motivation from the accomplishments of those who came before them.
The Vice-Chancellor further emphasized that the tree-planting initiative aligns with global efforts to promote environmental sustainability while creating a culture of recognition for exceptional academic performance.
For many members of the university community, the event represented more than a ceremonial exercise. It reflected the institution’s determination to reward hard work, encourage scholarly distinction, and foster values that extend beyond the classroom.
The achievements of Onyeagubor and Oyibo have attracted widespread admiration within the university, with students and lecturers describing their academic records as evidence of discipline, perseverance, and commitment to excellence.
As the newly planted trees take root and flourish within the Convocation Garden, they will serve as enduring symbols of two remarkable academic journeys and a reminder that excellence, like a tree, grows through dedication, consistency, and purposeful nurturing.
