Renowned legal practitioner Mr. Wole Olanipekun, SAN, advised graduates to emulate the successful people around them and to avoid envy.
Speaking on Sunday at the Babcock University 22nd undergraduate and 13th postgraduate convocation, Olanipekun, who was the convocation commencement speaker spoke on ‘Go and replenish the Earth: Man’s misconception of God’s mandate.’
He told them to refrain from pulling people down and consciously pick their role models.
“You must cautiously and consciously choose your role models, whether they are from within or outside Nigeria, and regardless of their professions or political/religious leanings. Strive to be like them. Rejoice in the success of your colleagues or friends; emulate their achievements, but never be envious of their accomplishments, for envy breeds bitterness, hatred, animosity, and unjustified feuds. Be true friends rather than foes to yourselves. Refrain from pulling others down.”
Olanipekun added that success comes from activating potential through hard work, diligence, courage, dynamism, honesty, innovation, creativity, thoughtfulness, kindness, and a fear of God.
He said, “To our iconic graduates receiving their certificates in various fields, I urge you not to be despondent or overwhelmed by societal problems and pressures. As this is a Christian university, I encourage you to reflect on the assurances given to Joshua by God Almighty: ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
“Remember, the cowl does not make the monk; your certificates alone will not determine your success in life.
“Always keep in mind the mission of this presentation, so that you may go into the world and contribute positively to it.”
The Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof. Ademola Tayo, “Volunteer in your community and be a voice championing tolerance. Build others up, submit to the authority of God, and remain humble. Seek to serve and make meaningful contributions wherever you are. Blaze new trails where none exist and leave a positive impact.
Embrace servant leadership, stay devoted to truth and integrity, and commit to continuous learning.”
Tayo said that the institution produced 2,842 graduates.
He revealed that Babcock University graduated 148 first-class students and 16 graduated with distinctions in the School of Clinical Sciences.
Statistics of the graduating students revealed the following distribution: 333 from the School of Management Sciences, 616 from the Veronica Adeleke School of Social Sciences, 64 from the School of Science and Technology, 575 from the School of Computing Sciences, 116 from the School of Education and Humanities, 123 from the School of Law and Security Studies, 239 from the Schools of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Services, and 400 from the College of Postgraduate Studies.
Miss Elomezino Oghenemairo from the School of Education and Humanities, emerged as the best-graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.89.
