Chrisland University makes another historic achievements as dignitaries from all works of life converged on the ancient city, to witness the epoch-making 2nd Convocation Ceremony of the Institution.
Among the personalities that thronged the Convocation Ceremony was the Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who is also known as Baba of Africa; the Alake of Egbaland, who is the paramount Yoruba King of Egba, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, ably represented by the state Commissioner of Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu; Commissioner, Human Resources, Science and Technology African Union Commission, Her Excellency Prof Sarah Anyang Agbor; The First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun
The epoch-making event started with a Press Conference that featured quite number of journalists from different media organizations across the country. This, indeed showed the impact and excellence Chrisland University has achieved.
As part of activities lined up for the Convocation, it was all a fruitful and exciting moment as the AU Commissioner and her entourage, including the management of Chrisland proceeded to the Alake’s Palace in other to pay homage to the pragmatic Royal Father.
Chrisland University known for promoting African cultures could not but pay a August Visit to the paramount Yoruba King of Egbaland, His Majesty, Oba(Dr.) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo at his palace.
The AU Delegate led by the Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, African Union, Prof Sarah Anyang Agbor and Seven(7) others, said the CourtesyVisitwas an effortto showcase AU commitments towards promoting African culture andheritages, and also to enhance town and gown relationship.
Oba(Dr.)Adedotun Aremu, the Alake of Egbaland, on his part, commended the Vice-Chancellor and his team for the timely visit, noting that it coincided with his 15th Coronation Anniversary. He prayed that the visit would be mutually-beneficial to both the University and his Kingdom.
The Royal Father, however canvassed for transformation of the University to a conventional status.
Still on the courtesy visit, it was also a moment of joy, as the team proceeded to visit the Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, known as ‘Baba Africa’ at his Presidential Library(OOPL), Abeokuta.
The visitation was to honor the pragmatic leader in recognition of his achievement in Africa and the world at large.
Obasanjo, speaking at the Convocation Ceremony said, the poverty level in Nigeria calls for urgent attention, as he raised concern that over 14million Nigeria students are out of school.
He disclosed that about 14 million 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 and Africa as a whole.
He said, “We have 14 million children that should be in school and are not in school that’s more than the population of many African countries.”
“If care is not taken, the data indicates we are preparing for future insurgency,” he lamented.
Earlier, Obasanjo unveiled the naming of male hostel of the University as Prof Sunday Nwosu, a detribalized Nigerian and a former Provost of Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri, Imo state, who also happens to be a former lecturerto theChancellor for his contributions to education in Nigeria.
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.
The Chancellor of the great Institution, High Chief Dr.(Mrs) W.A Awosika(OON), who has been an educationist per excellence and having run Chrisland Group of Schools for over 40 years , congratulated the graduating students as they embark on new phase of their life.
while briefing the graduating students, she charged them to use the knowledge they have acquired to improve the country and the world at large. She noted that despite the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the world, Chrisland University were still able to break even. “As an institution, we are committed to high standard, innovation and relevant in this modern eta. The lockdown provided the opportunity for us to explore and adopt technology, particularly, online media to our online activities. This gave us the opportunity to complete the 2019/2020 academic session and to graduation another set of innovative brand Ambassador today.”
The Chancellor while giving her remarks, noted that Chrisland 2nd Convocation ceremony would be her first convocation with the University. She then used the opportunity to appreciate the Pro-Chancellorof the University, Distinguished Prof. Ayodeji Oladimeji Olukoju, a first class Historian and a highly rated academia.
Prof. Ayodeji, a former two-term Vice Chancellor of Caleb University, obtained a first class honours degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in June 1980, and the MA and PH.D degrees from University of Ibadan in 1982 and 1991, respectively.
The Vice-Chancellor, on her part, 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. Mrs. Chinedum, while addressing the graduating students asked them 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 reiterated however that the university had instilled in the students entrepreneurial skills that would turn them into job creators and not just job seekers.
Speaking, the 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 percent
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.”
The success story recorded at the 2nd convocation could not have been completed without the presenceof the governor of Ogun state, Prince Dapo Abiodun ably represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu. The governor, 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.
Also present is the Wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun who 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".
Meanwhile, theOgun State Commissioner of Education, Prof. Arigbagbu Abayomi, who represented the state governor at the Convocation Ceremony, congratulated the Best graduating, Folasade Kikelomo for her academic excellence.
Folasade became the overall best graduatingstudent at the Institution’s 2020 Convocation with a total CGPA of 4.80.
