The Vice-Chancellor, VC, of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, Prof. Kolawole Salako, has described the set of graduands that the university is churning out on Wednesday and Thursday this week at its 28th and 29th combined convocation ceremonies as symbol of hope in the teeming youths that would better the lot of the country.
A statement signed by FUNAAB’s Head, Directorate of Public Relations, Amb. Kola Adepoju, FICA, JP, and made available to CompassNG, quoted
Prof. Salako as saying this while speaking at a special Sunday service to mark the combined convocation ceremonies of the university, held at the Chapel of Grace, FUNAAB.
The statement added that like other well meaning Nigerians, Prof. Salako bemoaned the soaring spate of involvement of Nigerian youths in social vices, especially cyber crimes and money rituals.
He, however, expressed joy that given the quality of youths that FUNAAB is graduating on Wednesday and Thursday this week, there is hope of a better future for our country in our future leaders.
The VC described the university graduands as set of youths who truly have been found worthy in character and learning, to impact the society and the nation at large positively.
He stressed that more importantly, the university has trained them to be self reliant, wealth creators and employers of labour to affect the social, political and economic facets of the country positively.
Prof. Salako pointed out that specifically, the thematic concern of the Convocation Lecture, holding on Wednesday is designed to address the challenges facing the nation’s graduates and youths in general, in sourcing fund for their entrepreneurial drive.
Prof. Salako said this is why the university is delighted that former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Tunde Lemo, who he described as a round peg in a round hole is coming to inspire the graduands as Convocation Lecturer.
Providing a background insight into the convocation ceremonies, the VC said that it would have been impossible to achieve, but for the faithfulness of God, the proactiveness of his administration and commitment of members of staff of the university.
He averred that the COVID-19 lockdown at its peak almost “locked down” the academic process, which led to the convocation ceremony holding on Wednesday and Thursday.
Prof. Salako thanked God, the academic and non-teaching staff, as well as the students for their unwavering commitment.
He said, “There was lockdown but FUNAAB was not locked down.”
Speaking further, Prof Salako, who was accompanied to the special thanksgiving service by his wife, Mabel, principal officers and other top officials of FUNAAB, charged students of the institution not to “de-market” the university by promoting in the social media fake news that is capable of denting the image of the university and devalueing their certificates.
The VC said that though he’s proud of being a Lion, – an alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, with the university Bursar, Mr.Chukwuwinke Ezekpeazu, he added that as FUNAAB VC, he will forever be more proud of the university, “because I have greater stake here.”
Thanking the university chaplain, who incidentally is now the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Christian Ikeobi, his assistants and the entire congregation for their prayers and support in general for his administration, the VC solicited for more, especially now that he is at the tail end of his tenure.
He congratulated the graduands in the congregation, charging them to be good ambassadors of the university always.
Prof. Salako also expressed gratitude to God for being his pillar of support as the Vice-Chancellor, recalling that he came to the Church to thank God and commit the convocation ceremonies of 2019 to God in November 28, 2019 and that of 2020 in January that year and now the combined 28th and 29th convocation ceremonies, holding this week Wednesday and Thursday today (Sunday), disclosing that his tenure will end in October 2022.
Adorning flowing two-piece native attire popularly known as Agbada in South-West, Nigeria, with a pair of shoe to match and flanked by his wife, Prof Salako, with his thanksgiving offering, danced infectiously and beaming with smiles to the altar to appreciate God amid melodious song of praise to the Almighty.
He was accompanied by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Prof Babatunde Kehinde, his Academics counterpart, Prof
Christian Ikeobi, the Registrar, Dr. Bola Adekola, the Bursar, Mr.Chukwuwinke Ezekpeazu, the university Librarian, Dr. Fehintola Onifade, the Senior Deputy Registrar, VC’s Office, Mrs.Toyin Dawodu, among others.
Earlier in his exhortation, Prof.
Adeboye Fafiolu thanked God for the achievements of Prof Salakos administration, charging him and his team to trust God more than before for greater success.
Special prayers were said for the progress, peace, development and protection of the university, it’s principal officers and their families, as well as staff and students of the university and for successful convocation ceremonies.
Activities marking the combined convocation ceremonies continue tommorow with an Agricultural and Research Fair and a novelty match.
