The Caleb University 14th Convocation Inaugural Lecturer, Overseer, Living Seed Ministry, Gboko, Bro. Gbile Akanni, has challenged graduating students to optimise their God-given potential in making a global difference.
He urged them to be intentional in focusing on optimising their potential and making a global impact, striving to be trailblazers and pioneers who set the pace and break barriers in their generation.
Bro. Akanni, Convener of the Annual Ministers’ Leadership Retreat, which draws over 15,000 leaders globally, and Founder of “Faith Seed,” addressed the graduating class at Caleb University’s 14th Convocation Ceremony.
He encouraged the graduates to expect disappointments on their journey, emphasising that growth without facing challenges is superficial.
The clergy advised the graduates that true success comes from persistence, not being discouraged by setbacks.
“As trailblazers, you are leaders who inspire others to follow.
We are raising men who will be like another ‘Caleb,” he said.
“We are looking for visionary youths, a rod of God’s strength. We don’t want you to be like a reed with no direction in life. Act on His word, and seek the Lord first. Your potential is hidden within you only when it is kindled can you be called forth. Keep fanning the flames of your passion. Don’t lose your fire, and don’t forget the lessons you’ve learned after school,” he counseled.
A release signed by Olawale Adekoya, Information, Media, and Publication Specialist, revealed that the 14th Convocation Ceremony produced 54 First-Class Undergraduate degree holders.
It read, “The breakdown shows that 527 graduates received Second Class Upper Division degrees, while 503 earned Second Class Lower Division.
The postgraduate cohort also saw notable achievements, with 15 PhD graduates, up from 9 in the previous convocation. Additionally, 29 distinctions were awarded at other postgraduate levels.”
Miss Joy Nmachukwu Ahiakwo, who graduated with a CGPA of 4.98 in Industrial Chemistry, was named the Overall Best Graduate at the undergraduate level.
Having initially studied in America before transferring to Caleb University, she shared that it took her ten years to realise her dream of earning a degree.
At the postgraduate level, Oladele Adenubi and Yinusa Bamimore shared the title of Overall Best Graduating Students, both achieving a perfect CGPA of 5.0 in Computer Science. Dr. Akinjide Akinlabi, the University Deputy Bursar, who received a PhD in Accounting, was recognised as the Overall Best Graduating PhD student.
In his address, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nosa Owens-Ibie praised the graduating class as “Trailblazers.”
He added that the Department of Architecture’s exceptional performance, noting that it produced eight of the 15 PhDs, a feat unprecedented in the Nigerian university system.
Prof. Owens-Ibie also announced that this would be his final convocation as Vice-Chancellor of the University.
The ceremony concluded with the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees (Honoris Causa) in Business Administration on three traditional rulers: His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, CFR (Torungbuwa II), The Akarigbo of Remoland; His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabiru Adewale Shotobi (Adegorusen V), The Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom; and His Royal Majesty, Oba Mudashiru Ajibade Bakare-Agoro (Olufoworesete II), The Ranodu of Imota.
