BY AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The management of Precious Cornerstone University says that a total of nine graduating students have made First Class in various courses as the university celebrates its maiden convocation.
The Vice-Chancellor of PCU, Prof. Julius Oloke, announced this at the convocation ceremony of the university held at the weekend.
Those who made First Class included five females and three males from Computer Science, Economics, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Accounting, with Omilani Aminat, the Economics student who led the park making a CGPA of 4.85.
The VC, in his address at the maiden edition of the university’s convocation, said, “We are graduating today 97 students in seven academic programmes: two out of 21 Computer Science students made First Class; two out of 10 Biochemistry students made First Class; one out of 13 Microbiology students made First Class; three out of 18 Accounting students made First Class; and one out of 14 Economics students made First Class.
“The Visitor has approved that the best student should be given an automatic employment as a Graduate Assistant. This will be implemented immediately after the NYSC.”
While giving the score card of the university, the VC said that “Many of our members of staff have been gaining recognition for their contributions to knowledge through their election as beneficiaries of international scholarships, including Dr Imah-Harry in Biochemistry programme, Dr Tosin Oreyeni in Mathematics and Dr Afolabi Olajide, the university Librarian.
“The graduands have been trained not to fly in the lowlands like other birds but as eagles to fly in the high places out of the naked human eye and out of range of hunter’s rifle. Because they know how to balance spirituality with secularity, they are Masters at riding in the eye of the storm. Because we are sure of what we have sown into the life of today’s graduands, we have no other choice than to refer to them as ‘Golden Eaglets’.”
The overall best graduating student of PCU urged other graduands to bring to bear the knowledge being impacted to them at the labour market, saying that co-graduands should be strong and resilient in the face of challenging circumstances.
She said, “Today is a great day. It marks the commencement of a new chapter in our lives; a day we have been waiting for since we entered the higher institution four years ago. Our journey in Precious Cornerstone University represented the challenges we have to overcome.
“Here at Precious Cornerstone University, we have received a great education. Thanks to our Lordship and Chancellor, Bishop Francis Wale Oke; the management led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Julius Oloke; and our amiable and capable lecturers. We are prepared to move out and take whatever challenges might come next in our lives.
“Fellow graduates, I want us to know what a great gift it is to be prepared as you are because not all schools offer such advantage. Here, we had high degree of academic excellence, spiritual soundness and good moral upbringing.
“These experiences, teachings and investments have shaped us to powerful intellectuals, responsible men and women to make an impact in our society, to change our world. We have been equipped with world-class education.”
In his address, the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, who doubles as the Chancellor of PCU, said, “You are golden eagles. You must soar. The wind does not disturb the eagle from soaring. As a matter of fact, the eagle soars with the wind. You are spiritually and academically prepared to shine. We are educated crooks. We are tired of producing those who will go to the government house and loot the treasury.”
Some accomplished Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a business mogul, Sijibomi Ogundele, were honoured with honourary doctorate degree awards.
Ogundele urged the graduands to embrace the philosophy of diligence, integrity and excellence in their life pursuits while the Director of Human Resources, National Universities Commission, Dr Odum Boniface, lauded the strides of the university in raising quality graduates.
