‘My parents’ support made my success possible’

Two hundred and fifteen graduating students of Covenant University (CU), Ota, emerged tops with first class degrees in their various areas of study.

The best graduating student of the university, from the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Ajia Motunrayo said she could not have done it without the support of her parents.

Motunrayo said, “My mother was always there to counsel and encourage me whenever I was getting tired. I will never forget the mail my daddy sent to me. He reminded me that God has said he will never leave nor forsake me. I held on to this message all through my five years in school and it comforted me through thick and thin.

“My advice to aspiring students is to be hardworking and determined, as there is no other way of achieving great success. And above all, trust in God,” she added.

At the ceremony, which was attended by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Abubakar Rasheed, wife of the vice president, Dolapo Osinbajo and the Olota of Ota, Adeyemi Obalanlege, among others, the Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo said CU graduates have been equipped to tap from the world’s unlimited opportunities.

Oyedepo said,” I charge you all to start thinking strategically, productively and futuristically and there shall be no limits on your rise and impact in the adventure of life.”

Addressing the parents, he said; “My plea is that you allow them to live the Covenant University dream, allow them to venture, pursue their vision in life and exercise themselves in their chosen field, as long as it is not criminal or socially unacceptable.”

The vice chancellor, Prof. Aderemi Atayero expressed joy that the institution’s vision to be listed among the top 10 universities in the world by 2022 (10:2022) is snowballing into reality.

Prof Atayero said within the last one year, the university has been listed in seven prestigious rankings of Times Higher Education (THE).

“Presently, Covenant University is ranked in the 601-800bracket in the Times Higher Education world university ranking for 2019.

This ranking places the school as the best in Nigeria and West Africa as well as being among the top 97th percentile of universities in the world. In the recently released subset of the Young Universities Ranking (YUR)- the millennium ranking, the institution emerged 36th.”

Addressing the graduates he said, “I wish to remind you that the myriads of challenges currently bedeviling our country may appear daunting, but they provide you opportunities to make a difference.”

In his keynote address, Chairman of Baobab media and Baobab Think Ltd, Dr. Monisoye Afolabi said in striving towards the Africa of our dream, we need to remind ourselves of who we are, where we are and where we want to be.

He said; “As you set out in life, I charge you to always remember where you come from. Remember that you are eagles and commit yourselves to be part of the solution towards Africa we want.