Dominican University Ibadan in Nigeria held its 3rd and 4th combined convocation ceremonies, on Saturday, December 7th, 2024.
The prestigious event was attended by the University Chancellor & Proprietor, Very Rev. FR. Modestus Ngwu, Pro Chancellor, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, Principal Officers, Dr. Paul Ilona, the convocation guest lecturer, Board of Trustee members, The Governing Councils, Deans, Head of Departments, Faculty Members, Royal fathers, Graduands, Family Members, And Distinguished Guests.
The Catholic-owned University graduated 134 students during the ceremony, including 60 from the 2022/2023 academic session and 74 from the 2023/2024 academic session. Among them, 13 students received first-class honors, 76 graduated with second-class (upper division) honors, 37 students obtained second-class (upper division) honors, and 9 students gradated with third-class. The Vice Chancellor disclosed this at a press conference that heralds the convocation.
The Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Peter Obi, delivered an inspiring speech to the graduating students, emphasizing the transformative power of education and the resilience of the human spirit in overcoming challenges.
In his address, Mr. Obi shared a poignant story about a young man he had recently met, Mr. Jonathan Luke Wood, the President of the University of California, Sacramento. Despite facing adversity from a young age, including family hardships and academic struggles, Mr. Wood's determination and resilience ultimately led him to become the youngest university president in the United States.
Mr. Obi highlighted Mr. Wood's story as a testament to the potential for success through hard work, resilience, and determination. “Mr. Jonathan Luke Wood, his life journey is a remarkable testament to determination against all odds. Born into adversity, he faced unimaginable challenges, including having his mother imprisoned, being adopted, and being suspended from school 42 times for truancy. Despite these setbacks, he refused to let his circumstances define him. Instead, he rewrote his story, rising above his struggles to become the youngest president of an American university, the University of California, Sacramento. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the boundless heights we can attain through hard work, resilience and determination”.
He urged the graduating students to appreciate the innovative knowledge and values instilled in them at Dominican University and emphasized the importance of contributing positively to society.
“I urge you the students to appreciate the innovative knowledge and values instilled in you at Dominican University. Success is not measured by what one takes from society but by what one contributes to it. The only thing you can take out of this world is your contribution into it, whatever you take away doesn't make you great but it's by what you put in that helps you build a better humanity. I encourage you to work diligently to transform our nation from a culture of consumption to one of production”.
In a show of his commitment to supporting education, Mr. Obi announced a donation of 50 million naira to Dominican University, reaffirming his belief in education as a cornerstone for societal progress. The students were inspired by Mr. Obi's words and left the convocation ceremony with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
In an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA, Mr. Peter Obi, the Pro Chancellor of the University, conveyed a powerful message to graduating students regarding the issue of corruption in the country. He emphasized the importance of living a valued life and using the moral values instilled in them at the university to contribute positively to society. Mr. Obi urged the students to focus on building a new Nigeria characterized by productivity, where they contribute more to society than what they take from it. He highlighted the detrimental effects of corruption on society, noting that it has eroded key pillars such as Entrepreneurship, Professionalism, and Hard work.
“I charge them not to collate the valueless society we live in today but to live a valued life, they should make use of those values that has been instilled in them here in school in building a new Nigeria that is productive where they will give in more to the society than what they will take out of the society. The issue of corruption in Nigeria has killed 3 things that made a society which is Entrepreneurship, Professionalism and Hard work”.
In addressing the issue of corruption, Mr. Obi called on government agencies to conduct thorough investigations and provide evidence when seizing assets, money, or property. He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in preventing the misuse of public resources. He said “I urge our agencies to ensure they carry out proper investigation so when they say they seized a particular asset, money or property, we need proof that it was stolen from a public resources, with that we can learn how to prevent such stealing and corruption as a whole”.
Offering a word of hope to Nigerians, Mr. Obi expressed his belief that Nigeria has the potential to be prosperous but must take decisive action to achieve this. He stressed the need for Nigeria to shift from a consumption-based economy to one focused on production and productivity, saying “Nigeria is one of the countries of the world that knows what to do to be prosperous but refuses to do it. There is nothing wrong with this country; we only need to get it right so we can move Nigeria from consumption to production”.
The University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jacinta Opara, announced that the overall best graduating student for 2022/2023 session was Nwankwo Cathering Udoka of the Department of Management studies, with a CGPA of 4.91 while the overall best graduating student for 2023/2024 session is Ozegbe Kenechukwu Anthony of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies with a CGPA of 4.74, she addressed a crowd of students, staff, and community members at the convocation program for the academic sessions. She added that Dominican University is not just about academic success. The institution prides itself on instilling moral values in its students and preparing them not only for successful careers but also for contributing positively to society. The university boasts interrupted power supply and internet connectivity, as well as the use of solar energy to minimize its environmental impact. The hostels are designed to prioritize the comfort and well-being of the students. “Here at Dominican University, we teach our students morally; we prepare them not only to succeed in their career but also academically and spiritually. The school has an interrupted power supply and internet connectivity, we also use solar energy, our hostels are designed to enhance the comfort of the students which is vital for their academic success”.
Furthermore, Dominican University is dedicated to supporting its staff members in their professional development. Staff members have access to full or partial grants for courses offered by the Africa Association for Teaching and Learning, as well as financial support and study leave to pursue higher degrees and certifications. The university also incentivizes student referrals for certain programs and provides dedicated time off for lecturers on PhD programs.
“Staffs of Dominican University receive full or partial grand courses of Africa Association for teaching and learning, our staffs are encouraged to pursue higher degree and certifications with the university providing financial support and study leave to facilitate their education. It is worthy to know that we charge only one student when you bring 2 students for M.A Philosophy and Masters in Philosophy and computing, we give one day off in every week to our lecturers on PhD Programs”. She said.
In addition to its academic and professional excellence, she mentioned that the University is deeply committed to community service. The institution engages in various initiatives and partnerships to positively impact the surrounding community, such as offering free healthcare consultations, empowering girls through foundations, and providing literacy programs for children in nearby areas.
The university has also been praised for its efforts in promoting water sustainability in Nigeria. “Dominican University is deeply rooted in its commitment to community service, we have expanded our community engagement activity to ensure that we remain a positive force in society, we engage in community air force including partnerships and programs and other service initiatives that offer free healthcare, consultations, empower girls foundations, and literacy program for children in nearby community. The university has played a crucial role around water sustainability in Nigeria”.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jacinta Opara in her closing remarks, expressed her gratitude to everyone who had made the convocation ceremony a success. She encouraged the graduates to stay connected to the university and continue to strive for excellence in their future endeavors, saying “To the graduating students, as you are going into the world the chance is yours, the core values is that you've been part of this institution, the innovation and learning that has been impacted on you is what you'll need to take to the society to help you make a positive impact on the world around you, I encourage you to be innovators, problem-solver and leaders, take courageous steps, use your education wisely. I thank and congratulate the parents/guidance. I wish you all the best in your various endeavors”
Dr. Paul Ilona, the convocation guest lecturer, a scientist, entrepreneur, and advocate in the fields of science, technology and societal development spoke on the topic “The Future Starts Today”. He starts by congratulating the graduating students on their academic and moral achievements. He commended the parents for their support in financing their children's education and highlighted the importance of preparing for the future. "I will start by congratulating the students for successfully scaling through tedious work of moral and academic twin which has made you them to qualify today as specialist in their diverse fields, there is no doubt that you will remain as the best and brightest of your set. I will also congratulate the parents who has labored to finance the training of this graduates”
In his lecture, Dr. Ilona emphasized that the future starts today and urged the graduates to embrace challenges with optimism and perseverance. He stressed the need for continuous learning, adapting, and personal growth in order to thrive in the competitive job market. “You need to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and focus on the future. You do not need to be scared, you only need to prepare for the future, and to be successful requires perseverance, God's grace and the determination to start the future every day. The Future Start Today seize to offer inspiration and guidance for those embarking on this journey, one of the reason why future start today is that you are conferred into the full power to make independent choices. Another reason why future start today is the importance of your personal growth and development, in other to thrive in the future you must continuously learn, adapt and evolve. The future belongs to lifelong learners” He said.
The lecturer also encouraged the graduates to follow their passions and take responsibility for their actions. Saying “the future also start today because of the impact you can have on the world around you. You ask yourself what you love doing and then finding a way to make a career out of it. You have to be proactive and take responsible for your actions”. In conclusion, he emphasized the importance of making every moment count and seizing opportunities to shape a successful future.
Several awards were presented during the ceremony, including awards for academic excellence, leadership, and community service. The 3rd and 4th combined convocation at Dominican University was a memorable and uplifting celebration of academic achievement and personal growth for all in attendance. Congratulations to the well-deserved accomplishments.
