A private university in Ilorin, the Kwara capital, Al-Hikmah, on Saturday graduated 658 students, with 16 of them bagging First Class degrees.

Speaking at the fourth convocation ceremony of the university, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sulyman AbdulKareem, said 175 other students graduated in the Second Class Upper Division while 287 had Lower Division.

AbdulKareem admonished the graduating students to allow the teachings of God reflect in their character, thoughts and way of life.

"At all times, you need to be just, upright and consistent in your action and behaviour toward the realisation of a virile and humane society for all," he said.

The vice chancellor also called on government to take positive steps toward checking incessant strikes in tertiary institutions.

"The state of education in the country also calls for urgent attention. The Federal Government should declare a state of emergency at all levels of the education sector in the country," he said.

Also speaking at the occasion, the university's Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, lauded the pace at which the institution was developing.

He commended the university's management for providing sound and qualitative university education.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion also featured award of honorary degrees to Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN) and the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu. (NAN)