Precious Cornerstone University matriculates 78 pioneer students

Seventy-eight pioneer students of the Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday took their matriculation oath at the institution’s maiden matriculation ceremony.

The Precious Cornerstone University is a Christian faith-based institution owned by the Sword of the Spirit Ministries.

In his brief address at the event, the vice chancellor, Professor Julius Oloke, urged parents of the matriculating students to see the money they are spending on training their children in a private university as a wise investment.

“The vision of Precious Cornerstone University is to be a university of excellence in character building, promotion of harmony with the Creator and enhancement of human dignity and self-discovery through quality education.

“I am happy to announce to you that we are already in the process of making Precious Cornerstone University a centre of excellence,” he said.

He noted that one of the indices by which a world class university is measured is that its students would not be only from its immediate locality.

Consequently, for its takeoff, Professor Oloke said PCU has students from more than 16 states in Nigeria and one from outside Nigeria.

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He also encouraged students to not hide their talents, as the university plans to participate and excel in major sports competitions, including the Nigerian Universities Games (NUGA) and the West African University Games (WAUG).

The matriculation lecture entitled ‘Branding Yourself and Your University among Others’ was delivered by Professor Benjamin Ehigie of the University of Ibadan.

As pioneer students, Ehigie said the students have the privilege and challenge of determining how the young university will be perceived by people both within and outside Nigeria, through their conducts, performance, and self-worth.

He therefore challenged them to build very high self-esteem and to not allow other people’s negative comments or perception to determine how they see themselves and their alma mater.

“Believe in yourself; go forth into the world and let people say ‘oh, we didn’t know something this good can come out of Precious Cornerstone University’. Go forth and give a brand name to this university.

He also told them that it is not the age of the institution that determines the height of achievement they would attain in life, but what they are able to do with what they have learnt from there.

Therefore, he told them, “identify what you are good at and develop it to fullest. There’s no course that is not marketable. Explore the strength of what you are studying, and people will look for you, rather than you looking for jobs.”

The matriculation oath was administered on the students by the acting registrar, Dr. Mrs Pedetin Oluranti Afolabi, while the chancellor/promoter, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, blessed them.