Chrisland University, Ajebo Road, Abeokuta, Ogun State has concluded her 2nd Convocation Ceremony, which has indeed left indelible marks, as dignitaries, stakeholders, among others stormed the institution in order to grace the colourful event.
The event which lasted for a week received commendations from all over the world, most especially from the African continent. Some of the important personalities who graced the occasion include: the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, African Union, Prof Sarah Anyang Agbor; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, the Alake of Egbeland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, among others.
The week-long event had series of lined up activities, such as: Convocation Lecture, Keynote Addresses, Visitations, Thanks Giving Service, Award Presentations, and so on.
These activities triggered commendations as students, graduates, and Nigeria at large benefited from the event. The important lessons at the 2nd Convocation Ceremony include:
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s keynote address,
Chief Olusegun lamented the fate of over 14 million out of school children in Nigeria saying that lack of formal education and stagnated development are some of the biggest problems confronting the country.
The former President disclosed that about 14million children who ought to be in school are out on the streets and that this should be a source of worry to whoever wanted the best for the country because 14million children out of school is a recipe for social vices such as insurgency.
"We have 14million children that should be in school and are not in school that';s more than the population of many African countries".
He then urged the graduating students to remain focused in spite of the difficulties in Nigeria, adding that, there are still opportunities out there that they could make good use of to be great in life.
Prince Dapo Abiodun’s Speech
The governor of Ogun state, Prince Dapo Abiodun represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, while rejoicing with the university on the auspicious occasion of its 2nd convocation praised the institution for its commitment to quality university education that is needed to produce manpower to address some of the country';s challenges.
Wife of Osun State Governor commended Chrisland University’s efforts
Wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun also commended the university management for working round the clock to ensure that the convocation held saying that "the year 2020 has been challenging for all of us but through it all, you have put together a splendid ceremony, I say well done and I have the assurance that you will continue to lift higher this banner of excellence".
Prof Sarah Anyang Agbor charged African leaders on strong political will
Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, African Union, Prof Sarah Anyang Agbor; has charged African leaders to have the strong political will to ensure sustainable growth and impact the people for good.
Delivering the convocation lecture with the theme “Leadership, Sustainable Growth, and National Building in Africa: A Reflective Perspective” Prof Sarah Agbor explained that among the critical issues Africa faces today, is the bludgeoning youth population and with it, the challenge of youth unemployment saying that data from the National Bureau of Statistics here in the country reveals that unemployment rate as at the second quarter of 2020 was 27.1%.
Africa needs to change the glooming narrative of the African Youths
Prof. Anyang said “For us to achieve AU Vision 2063, change the glooming narrative of the African youth, the leaders must invest in good governance to achieve this goal. Good governance is a reflection of an effective leadership and vice versa.
“Show me a leader with a penchant to serve his people, meet the needs and aspirations of his citizens, and achieve collective growth for the populace and I will show you a leader who is result/performance oriented and implements good governance.”
Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola calls on government to support entrepreneurship in Institutions
The Vice Counsellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Prof. Mrs. Chinedum Peace Babalola has called on stakeholders and government at all levels to support entrepreneurship in Nigeria Institutions.
Prof. Chinedum noted that students who passed through Chrisland University have been instilled with entrepreneurship skills right from their first year in school, adding that the students are trained to be employers of labour rather than job seekers.
Prof. Chinedum asks graduating students to be strategic and innovative
Prof. Mrs. Chinedum, while addressing the graduating students asked the graduating students to be strategic and innovative as they embark on a new life.
She also advised the government to focus attention on skills training to tackle the challenge of graduate unemployment in the continent.
She added that everyone cannot become an entrepreneur, thus making it imperative for them to acquire other skills that could enable them to become proficient and possibly even consultants in their new fields.
Prof. Babalola still reiterated however that the university had instilled in the students entrepreneurial skills that would turn them into job creators and not just job seekers.
Chrisland University VC gives reasons why 5 Female students graduated with First class
Out of 28 students churned out from Chrisland University’s 2nd Convocation, only 5, all female graduated with First Class Hons.
The VC said it appears “girls” are today more academically ‘focused’ than their males’ counterparts.
Mrs. Babalola explained that Chrisland, an institution also having male students but only producing female First Class graduates this time, should not be seen as strange or new, recalling that similar phenomenon had also been observed at the nation’s premier university – the University of Ibadan, where in a particular year, only girls made it to the First Class honours list.
12 additional programmes fully approved by the National University Commission(NUC)
Despite the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the Vice Counsellor of Chrisland University, Prof. Mrs. Chinedum Peace Babalola explaining that the university experienced unbroken academic calendar, having to be about the first university in Nigeria to kick-start virtual class and virtual matriculation for its students.
Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof Chinedum Peace Babalola congratulated the 28 graduating students being awarded with Bachelor degrees and professional certificates in entrepreneurship, saying that their training in the university had also equipped them with skills for self-employment.
Chrisland University VC advocates Skill Acquisition to tackle graduate unemployment
The Vice Counsellor of Chrisland University has called on the federal government to make available, soft loans and grants devoted to skills acquisition among jobless graduates, to reduce unemployment, social vices in the country.
She explained that it had become expedient for the federal government to do more by setting aside, a particular fund which enable graduates will entrepreneurial skills make a breakthrough into the larger market.
