Former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Walter Carrington is billed to deliver this year's convocation lecture of the University of Ilorin on October 21, 2013 at the UNILORIN main auditorium.

 In a a statement, the University's spokesman, Mr. Kunle Akogun, said the envoy , who was the chief representative of the US President in Nigeria between 1993 and 1997, will address the topic, 'On the Dawn of Nigeria's Second Century: Challenges of a new Generation.”

Akogun added that Mr. Carrington's lecture is part of activities for the University's 29th Founder's Day and Convocation ceremonies holding between October 14 and October 23, 2013.

The former envoy is renowned for his eloquent oratory and his views are well respected in the pro-democracy and civil rights circles in the country.

The convocation lecture, a major highlight of the annual convocation ceremonies of the University, provides a platform for accomplished personalities  in the academia, the polity and diplomatic circles as well as respected statesmen to discuss current and pertinent national and international issues with a view to proffering robust and informed opinions to steer public discourse for the benefits of humanity.

According to Mr. Akogun, other activities lined up for the 29th Convocation Ceremonies, include: the Vice-Chancellor's press briefing on Monday, October 14th; the convocation play, entitled 'Adesewa'! The King's Daughter, a Dance Theatre written by J. O. Ojuade , on Tuesday, October 15; and the Convocation proper scheduled for Tuesday, 22nd and Wednesday, 23rd October, 2013.

A number of infrastructural projects are also billed for commissioning by President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the Visitor to the Institution, on October 22, 2013.

A total of6,713 students will be receiving the first and postgraduate degrees as well as Diplomas in various disciplines at this year's convocation ceremonies. Of these, 5,063 are first degree graduands, 756 are Masters degree graduands, 95 Ph.Ds and 84 postgraduate Diplomas.

Forty-one of the graduating students are passing out with the First Class degrees while a total of 1,088 are graduating with Second Class Upper degrees, 2,435 graduands will be going home with the Second Class Lower degree, 1,082 will be awarded the Third Class certificates 214 4ill get the pass grade.

A further breakdown of the performance of the graduands shows that 25 of the First Class graduates are from the Faculty of Science, five are from the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, while four each are from the Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences respectively.

The Faculty of Engineering and Technology produced two First Class graduates this year while the Faculty of Law produced one First Class, the first time in the history of the faculty.