The University of Ibadan (UI) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka has urged fresh graduates of the institution to be good ambassadors of the university in whatever capacities they may find themselves, saying they have been equipped to change the world for the better.
His words corroborated the position of the Commencement Speaker at the 72nd Foundation Day/ Convocation ceremonies of the UI, Dr. OmoEhijele Frank Odafen who entitled his Commencement lecture “DO NOT BE AFRAID”, encouraging the fresh graduates to use their academic knowledge to change the world.
According to a statement by the Media Aide to the VC, Mr Sunday Saanu, this year, the University is awarding 111 Diplomas (Nursing Tutors and Postgraduate), admitting 412 graduands into First Degrees, 220 graduands into Master’s Degrees as well as 55 graduands into Doctor of Philosophy Degrees (Ph.D)of the University of Ibadan, and another 24 Ph.D graduands from the Pan African University/University of Ibadan
“I also charge you to strive to stimulate the growth of our national economy with your dynamism, enthusiasm and creativity”, pointing out that the “University has invested enormously in and given you an enviable platform to exhibit your potential as well as achieve your life-long dreams and aspirations”. Olayinka said.
Prof. Olayinka who urged the graduates to remember their alma mata in future, restated that vision of the University was derived solely from the pursuit of the national goals of unity and development through innovation, knowledge creation, and dissemination, with a view to stimulating national transformation.
In his lecture, Dr. Odafen who alluded to the role played by the youth in recent #endsarsprotest described the graduates as “the sanitizers that the society is waiting for”, admonishing them to get ready and take over from the analogue leadership.
The UI alumnus who spiced up his presentation with numerous anecdotes told the graduates “you are smart, technological and intelligent , I tell you, the future of Nigeria is in your hands. Do not be afraid to make mistakes, bind your wounds and move on”
Dr. Odafen urged the graduates to be generous, courteous and virtuous, saying UI is a metaphor for academic excellence, hence the need for themto keep reading and increasing their intellectual capacities regularly even after graduation.
