| By Josephine Akaure and Godwin Ugbaka
In a world driven by increasing knowledge and artificial intelligence, the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called on the NOVA postgraduate Class to rise above the boundaries of their degrees to impart lives and transform the African continent to an innovation hub.
“We gather not merely to confer degrees, but to ensure that we use our education to translating knowledge into lasting impact. Africa stands at a very defining moment. Whether that potential becomes stability or not, depends to what extent we unite intelligence with character. Let your scholarship illuminate ignorance,” said the governor.
He added that while degrees were being conferred, responsibilities were also being entrusted, noting, “The true measure of greatness lies not in how much graduates know but to what extent they can transform that knowledge to the upliftment of people. Breaking new grounds do not always require discovering new continents but discovering new ways of doing something.” In his keynote address delivered at the University Amphitheatre, Governor Abiodun said true education must cultivate sound judgment, moral discernment and the courage to choose what is right even when it is not convenient.
“Universities prepare people not only for employment, but for stewardship,” he said. “Every innovation should contribute and translate ideas into something tangible and shape a greater future. Let your innovation solve real-life problems,” he said.
He reminded the postgraduate class comprising 183 doctoral graduates, 21 MPhil, 391 Masters and 70 PGD that what counts at the end is not whether history will remember them, but what will it remember them for?
Aside the His Excellency, the event also attracted the Deputy Governor of the state, Her Excellency, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Heads of Service, the SSG, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, top government functionaries, captains of industries and others.
The occasion also provided platform for academic recognition. Top among these are: Idume-David Juliet Efenona with CGPA of 4.84 in PGD category, Ojelabi Ayotundun Christianah and Osikomaiya Bodunrin Ibitola with CGPA of 5.0 in Masters, Ogodo Sunday, 4.78 in Mphil, Segun-Adeniran Chidi Deborah, 4.95 in PhD BUCODeL Postgraduate and Okangba Daniella Chisom, 4.85, MBA respectively. Similarly, Dr. Isiaq Kunle Salako (Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare) and Dr. Oluwatoyin Emmanuel Taiwo (Former Chief of Staff) of the Ogun State governor were among those hooded for their doctoral degrees.
The governor also presented cash awards to the best graduating students: The overall best Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) graduate received ₦1.5 million, while the best graduates in MBA and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) categories were awarded ₦2 million each. The best doctoral graduate went home with a cash prize of N2.5million.
While commending the graduates for earning their degrees, President/Vice Chancellor, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole reminded them that is degrees were not about accumulating knowledge alone, but about developing the discipline to seek truth with integrity and the wisdom to use knowledge for the good of others, to pursue solutions and solve problems, noting, “If you cannot project far into the future, you cannot solve the problems of the present.”
“Each hood that has been placed upon your shoulders today represents far more than years spent in classrooms, libraries, laboratories and in the field,” he said. “When the journeys became demanding, it represents persistence, questions that refused easy answers, and the determination to press on until meaningful contributions emerged.”
He also praised the Governor for the developments made so far and the readiness of the university to collaborate with the state for ensuring a safer place for development, innovation and building credible servant leaders.