AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE VICE CHANCELLOR, PROF. SAM GUOBADIA, AT THE 14 TH CONVOCATION CEREMONIES OF BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, ON SATURDAY 7 TH July, 2018.
PROTOCOLS
FELICITATIONS
On behalf of the Benson Idahosa University community, I welcome you to the 14 th Convocation ceremony of our great institution.
Graduation is a culmination of hard work and sacrifices by the graduands, parents, sponsors and staff of the University. It is a special moment for members of the university community to celebrate with pride the unleashing of new entrepreneurs, potential employees,potential employers and talents into the market. It is also a great social event when people of diverse backgrounds come together to celebrate the achievement of one of their own.
I felicitate with the graduating class and with every parent/guardian whose child/ward is graduating today. It is truly an event worth celebrating because God kept you all from the time of matriculation to today. I must commend every parent/guardian here who despite the current economic situation in the country, made huge sacrifices by paying fees and other levies for your children. I pray that these sacrifices will not go unrewarded by God and your children.
It is also a joyous celebration for Benson Idahosa University who is yet again releasing another batch of “Change Agents” into the world. This is so because at Benson Idahosa University, our vision is to raise academics, professionals, and entrepreneurs who will be effective disciples for Christ by excelling in their fields, and a mission to raise leaders who are complete in spirit, mind, and body, while our core purpose is to CHANGE NIGERIA!
The world right now needs credible leaders who actually have the interest of its citizens as priority. The leaders we need must effect total CHANGE in the style of governance by implementing ideas of other successful democracies around the world. Nigeria at the moment is in turmoil, as a matter of fact we are sitting on a “ticking time bomb”. The old style of governance has failed, the situation is chaotic and the hunt for credible leaders is on. We implore you to go out there, and be the hope of our country in particular and the world in general. We are very confident that you all have been raised as such leaders, who having been found worthy in character, in learning, and as effective disciples of Christ, will CHANGE Nigeria and the world for the better.
The era of globalization has been marked by fierce competition and shrinking revenue opportunities. However, there are also abundant opportunities that we can harness from the extensive changes.
Universities of the 21st century must embrace ingenuity and innovation in their business approach in order to surmount the challenges that confront them. As a university, we shall continue to look out for strategic global partners and build networks and synergies that promote our contribution to sustainable global development.
Benson Idahosa University is evolving gradually into becoming a world class university. In actualizing this, its core values of transparency and accountability, people matter, innovation, etc will become more practicable than being mere slogans. We are on the move to becoming one of the top brands that exist in Nigeria and the world at large. We therefore implore you parents present here to endorse Benson Idahosa University, while the graduating students should be good ambassadors of their alma mater.
At Benson Idahosa University, students are assured of graduating at the stipulated time, there is zero tolerance for victimization of any sort. All our degree programs are accredited by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) and other regulatory bodies like The Council of Legal Education (CLE) and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) etc. Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me to list the number of faculties at Benson Idahosa University:
a. Faculty of Science
b. Faculty of Social and Management Sciences
c. Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology
d. Faculty of Arts and Education
e. Faculty of Law
f. Faculty of Engineering
In September this year, the Faculty of Basic Medical & Health Sciences will be added to this list. This Faculty will offer degree programs in Nursing & Medical Lab Sciences, precursors to a full Medical School in the near future.
SPORTS/AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS
CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT
The Legacy Campus of our university is developing rapidly with some projects completed while some are near completion. Below are some infrastructural developments at the Legacy campus;
The University will be moving three additional Faculties to the Legacy Campus in September this year by God’s special grace and providence – bringing the total there to four Faculties of Science, Engineering, Basic Medical & Health Sciences, as well as Agricultural Technology.
At this juncture, I present to you the graduating class, also called the “Class of Fame”. Your commitment over the last four and five years is the reason why we are gathered here today. I am told that F.A.M.E is an acronym for Flamboyant, Astute, & Made of Excellence. For the entire duration of your study with us, you have displayed all the characteristics captured by the name we call you today.
This year, we are graduating 602 students – comprising of 503 with baccalaureate degrees and 99 Post graduate degrees. This is further broken down into these classes of degrees;
For the post graduate degrees, it includes
APPRECIATION
The ultimate thanks go to God Almighty who has continually sustained this university from inception till date, and on behalf of Management, I must thank the Archbishop, Church of God Mission International, our Chancellor & Visitor, Most Rev. Margaret E. Benson-Idahosa for her support and words of encouragement; the President & Chairman of Board of Regents, Bishop F.E.B. Idahosa II; the Vice President, Professor John A. Okhuoya; the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Engr. (Dr.) Goddie O. Isibor and all othermembers of Council for their support and confidence in the new university administration. I would like to thank the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed for identifying with us and giving the Convocation Lecture yesterday in this hall. I thank all the Vice Chancellors who have also identified with us here today. Special thanks to all our friends, well wishers and distinguished guests who have found the time to grace this occasion. I thank you all for honouring our invitation. I thank the Ceremonials Committee, headed by Dr. Taidi Ekrakene, for a job well done. I also thank the University Staff. Your selfless service and dedication to the University Project will constantly be recognized and rewarded. I also appreciate the past, present and future donors to our university projects.
CHARGE TO THE GRADUANDS
My dear graduating students, I thank you specially for choosing the Benson Idahosa University from among the over 160 universities in the country. There is no doubt in my mind that you could not have made a better choice. Today, a new chapter has begun in your life – a chapter that builds on the foundation for excellence that this University has laid for you; a chapter that gives you the independence to define and create your life adventures.
Undoubtedly, you will encounter many new and diverse situations, but I am more than confident that you can confront each situation and excel with astuteness, resoluteness, and resilience. Be brave, be forthright, go out there and contribute immensely to the development of our great nation. I tell you today without any reservation that Nigeria will be one of the greatest countries in the world sooner rather than later. Your immediate clime might seem bleak, do not despair because you have been empowered with the skills you acquired here. Go into the world and take it. Go and Lead the Change! Your place is at the top.
Thank you all for listening
Prof. Sam Guobadia, FICA, FIPMD
Acting Vice Chancellor
Benson Idahosa University