By Seyifunmi Odunuga
All roads that led to Atiba University in Oyo town, were jam-packed as eminent Nigerians that include traditional rulers, captains of industries, academia and creme de la creme of the society on Saturday, November 25, converged on the institution for its maiden convocation.
However, a day earlier, Friday, November 24, there was a press conference held at the school premises where it was disclosed that not less than 197 students would be graduating during the convocation ceremony.
The event, according to the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Sunday Okeniyi, will have in attendance dignitaries across the country.
Okeniyi while speaking shortly after the investiture of the Chancellor and Pro Chancellor of the institution, Alhaji Shehu Chindo Yamusa, Emir of Keffi and Oba Adekunle Oyedeji, Eburu of Ibaland respectively, which was part of the week long activities for the convocation, said five of the graduands will graduate with first class honour.
He stated that the graduands cut across the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Art, Social and Management Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences and Faculty of Law of the institution.
He said the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security in Borno State would deliver the convocation lecture that will focus on internal security and climate change.
On the convocation day, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Okeniyi, in his remarks, urged graduands of the institution to always be good ambassadors of the school and be the torch bearers for the future, stating that the knowledge they have acquired while in the institution must be a guiding light to their journey in life.
He added that graduands must make it a duty to uphold values of the institution which is integrity, excellence and committement, calling on them to allow the education acquired impact in them to be beacons of hope towards a future filled with purpose and impact.
Okeniyi described the convocation ceremony as a celebration of knowledge, resilience and transformative power of education, noting that the institution is keeping with global universities’ traditions and best international practices of holding annual academic events as at when due.
He said, “Today, we proudly graduate a total of 178 degree students, 57 higher diploma recipients, and 62 diploma awardees.
Among these outstanding individuals, we have the privilege of recognizing 5 First-Class graduates, 126 Second-Class Upper graduates, and a noteworthy 21 students on the pass list for Nursing Science.
“The 2020/2021 set contributed 18 graduates, the 2021/2022 set marked a significant increase with 50 graduates, and finally, the 2022/2023 set has set a new record with an impressive 109 graduates.”
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Oba Adekunle Adeogun-Okunoye, on his part, said Nigerians should expect the best from the institution where future leaders are prepared for the development and progress of the country.
In the meantime, the Founder of Atiba University, Dr. James Ojebode, has described the establishment of the institution as service to humanity, expressing joy that an event like the convocation of the institution come up in his life time.
He however said the next convocation of the institution by the grace of God would take place at its permanent site.
Speaking during an interview with Apreel1 Events TV, some of the awardees and graduands lauded the governing council of the university for a job well done in taking the university to a greater height, while Founder, Pro-Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of the university, thanked all the dignitaries that graced the occasion. The event was covered by Apreel1 Events TV.