226 bag first class as ABUAD graduates 1,662 students

No fewer than 226 students of the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) out of 1,662 have graduated with First Class honours during the Monday’s convocation ceremony of the institution.

The Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Professor Smaranda Olarinde in his address during the 12th convocation ceremony and 15th Founder’s Day Event on Monday explained that out of the graduating students, 1,485 finished with Bachelor’s degree while 177 were postgraduate students.

She said the best graduating students from the department of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Omolara Ogundana finished with the perfect CGPA of 5.0/5.0 from total of 216 course units.

At the ceremony, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Multi-talented lawyer, Mr. Damian D. Dodo,SAN and the serving overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare were honoured.

The VC explained that the institution has remained consistent in its leadership in the nation’s education sector, innovations and societal contributions.

According to her, the vision of the founder, Aare Afe Babalola,SAN in establishing the university is to produce graduates that would change the course of the country and the world and as well contribute to the betterment of the society.

On the students loan scheme of the federal government, the ABUAD VC described as discriminatory the exclusion of students from private institutions in the country, adding that the government’s decision creates unequal access to education for deserving students.

She lamented the deplorable state of federal roads in Ekiti state especially the Ado-Ijan road leading to the university, calling on the federal government to address the lingering infrastructural deficit in the interest of the citizens.

On the devaluation of the nation’s currency and the rising cost of living, Professor Olarinde said,” this economic downturn has caused a sharp rise in the cost of living, making it difficult for families to afford education and for institutions to sustain their operations.”

Founder of ABUAD, Babalola congratulated the students for successful completion of their education pursuit in the institution, urging them to continue to strive for excellence in their respective careers.

The nonagenarian advised the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the university by upholding the principle of hard work, honesty and discipline which is the hallmark of ABUAD.

Speaking, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa lauded the contributions of ABUAD, to the human capital development of the country.

Governor Aiyedatiwa explained that the institution in the last 15 years of its existence has changed the face of education in the country with its quality education evident in the exploits of its graduates across all sectors of the economy.

He commended the commitment of ABUAD founder, Aare Afe Babalola, to the development of the nation’s education sector with the establishment of the institution which he said has made positive impacts with the quality of learning.

He congratulated Prince Fagbemi, Pastor Bakare and Dodo for the honorary awards bestowed on them by ABUAD, noting that their contributions and commitment to the advancement of humanity and the law profession necessitated the recognition.

According to him, “It is exciting to be part of the 12th convocation ceremony and 15th founder’s day celebration of this great institution. Let me congratulate this institution for this day and also thank God for the founder that he is alive and in good health to witness this day.

“I want to commend our own Aare Afe Babalola for the huge investment he has put into the building of this great citadel of learning. A huge investment that is driven by vision to offer to the world and humanity a world-class and reformative education of great standard.

“No doubt, this institution has contributed in no small measure to human capital development of this nation by the quality education that it offers to the people. Let me congratulate the chairman and other members of the Governing Council and other management team for a job well-done.”

Governor Aiyedatiwa also congratulated the graduates for their academic exploits in the institution, urging them to go out and make a difference in the society.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, the Minister of Justice thanked the founder and the university management for counting them worthy for the honorary degrees, saying, ” we are deeply honored to be recognized by an institution that has been rated as number one in Africa and one which competes with the best in the world.”

Fagbemi said, ” One can not always but marvel at the audacity behind the undertaking of ABUAD. This university is a constant reminder of what is possible in this country when men and women of good will insist that we will settle for nothing but the best. Translating a vision of educational excellence into reality is no mean feat.”

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