.….as institution produces 699 graduands.
The 14th Convocation ceremony of the Achievers University, Owo was held on Saturday, with the Chancellor, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara has declared that for the Nation to move forward, it will require sacrifices, accountability, and collective resolve from all Nigerians.
The former speaker of House of Representatives also advocated that youths must be at the center of the transformation for Nigeria to overcome her economic challenges.
Dogara disclosed this while delivering his speech at the 14th convocation and 17th foundation anniversary of the Achievers University, Owo in Ondo State held on Saturday 14th December, 2024.
The former speaker therefore described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a leader who is prepared to lead with unbridled courage even at a personal cost.
He said that any transformation leader must be brave, noting that a good leader must not just allow history to happen but make it.
The former speaker noted that lack of transformative leadership had plunged the country into its current state of mess and its failure to prevent bad problems from getting progressively worse.
“Achieving this vision will demand sacrifices, accountability, and collective resolve from all Nigerians. Our youths must be at the center of this transformation. Through education, innovation, and a share commitment to excellence, we can build a Nigeria’ that fulfils the aspirations of its people”.
He however added that Universities must play a central role in addressing challenges facing the country through research and development that focus on practical solutions to Nigeria’s economic problems.
The Chancellor urged the graduating students to remain hopeful and resilient, even though the road ahead may be fraught with challenges, but they have been equipped with tools to overcome them.
Dogara said, “With what President Bola Tinubu has done, whether it’s the freeing of local government areas from the choke-hold of economic stagnation the states had hitherto subjected them to or the groundbreaking bold tax reforms proposals he had placed before the National Assembly, I see a glimmer of hope that we may be dealing with a leader who is prepared to lead with unbridled courage even at personal cost.
“It gladdens my heart that we are now dealing with a leader who is not avoiding stubborn tasks and very much unwilling to put off difficult conversations.
“With him, courage has become a habit and that habit has the power to transform our leadership as the miracles we are desperately yearning for may well lie in the tasks and difficult conversations we are avoiding.
“I support the President’s tax reforms not because they are perfect but because it is the right thing to do.
“However, I must concede the fact that those opposed to it have the right to do so but I do not share their jaundiced nay tenuous and puerile position that because they disagree with some aspects of the reforms, then the reforms must be withdrawn or killed.”
In his remarks, the University’s Pro Chancellor, Hon. (Dr.) Bode Ayorinde, who expressed delight at various achievements of the institution, said industrialization is the engine of development and the potential to transform the nation’s economy, create jobs and generate wealth.
Ayorinde opined that, “As the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria has the potential to become a major industrialized nation, however, to achieve this goal, we need to develop industries that process our raw materials locally, create value-added products, reduce import dependency and boost export.”
He urged the graduating students to be agents of change.
In an address, the Vice Chancellor of Achievers University, Prof. Omolola Irinoye advised parents to take advantage of the tuition free programmes by bringing their wards to Achievers University.
The Vice Chancellor said “In this 14th Convocation, Achievers University award degrees to 699 graduates, 653 from undergraduate programmes and 46 from the Postgraduate programmes, adding that out of the 653 graduates, 71 graduated with First Class Honours, 303 with Second Class Honours Upper Division, 243 with Second Class Honours Lower Division and 36 with Third Class Honours”.
Honorary awards were bestowed on three distinguished Nigerians; His Excellency, Muhammed Umar Bago, the Executive Governor of Niger State,Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Orangun of Oke-Ila Osun State and Dr. Fidelis Akhagboso Ayebae, Managing Director, Fidson Healthcare Plc., Lagos.
Monetary awards were also given to the best graduating students across various Faculties and departments.
The overall best graduating students, Aboluwarin Abiodun Precious in his valedictory speech appreciated the University management and staff for their relentless effort in providing enviable learning opportunities for the graduates.
