The 23rd convocation of Babcock University held on Sunday, produced 3,568 graduates from across disciplines, out of which 243 made first class.
Further breakdown shows that 2,543 are earning their first degrees while 686 are postgraduates, consisting of 217 PhD, 30 MPhil, 359 Master’s degrees, and 80 Postgraduate Diplomas. Lawal Oyiza, a graduate of Economics with a CGPA of 4.97, emerged as the overall best graduating student.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Ademola Tayo, who is also taking his bow in November after 10 years of leadership at the institution, has, however, urged the graduands to be committed to a life of selfless service to humanity. Tayo said that the years of rigorous studies at the University are not only tailored towards sharpening the knowledge of the graduands and equipping them for academic excellence, but it has also helped to build in them a strong character and resilient spirit that come in handy in navigating life’s uncertain paths.
The Vice Chancellor has therefore told the graduands to go into the world and make a difference, offering to be problem solvers and adding value to efforts to make the world a better place. The Vice-Chancellor said, “Dear graduates, you have responsibilities to Nigeria and the whole world. I encourage you to set aside your iPod, iPad and iPhones for a while and focus on your fellow human beings. Use the knowledge you have gained at Babcock creatively and generously to make a worthy difference. Be a volunteer in your community, be an active voice for peace and justice, be a champion for tolerance and understanding. Seek to serve and be served selflessly. Humble yourself before God, prayerfully aligning yourself to decrease for God to be increased in your life. Never take the opportunity to serve for granted. I bid you farewell, and I wish you the very best as you face the future with hope and courage that it deserves. Never forget that the actual test of your education is in the life you lead after this day. Let your knowledge serve justice. Let your talents solve problems. Let your values inspire hope. Be fearless, be kind. Be Babcock.”