Nigerian youths can positively change nation’s narrative, says VC

The Vice Chancellor, Augustine University, Ilara (AUI), Epe, Prof. Christopher Odetunde, has said despite what some people see as a bleak future for the country, youths can positively change the narrative through hard work, improved moral standing and thinking out of the box.

Odetunde, while addressing the 207 newly admitted students at the seventh matriculation ceremony of the institution, enjoined them to start building for the future.

“What is your purpose in AUI?  This is the time to start answering such a question because there is no better way to judge the future than to take a quick pick at the present and past.  For most Nigerians, the future looks bleak for our nation but there is no need to despair because, I believe our youths can change the present narrative through hardwork, improved moral standing, thinking out of the box and finding a niche in spite of Nigeria being almost dead morally and not having a value-adding education.

“What will be your goal for coming to AUI:  Is it to join millions holding degrees without value, those pilfering our resources for their families only or to make Nigeria work for all of us?  Today, you will make a moral choice that will impact humanity, benefit you, your family and our nation; the choice is yours.

The vice chancellor urged the fresh students to always conform to the rule of ethics even when it is it is a difficult choice.

He reminded that immorality has been at the foundation of the challenges confronting the nation, adding that those short-circuiting the system through corruption are also indirectly sucked into the vortex of drugs, strange sicknesses and waywardness.

As members of the university community, Odetunde enjoined the new students to abide by the rules and regulations guiding their activities on campus and live in peace with others. “Remember, formal education will make you a living, but consistent education with good character formation will make you a fortune.”

He said all courses run in the school have accreditation from relevant bodies and agencies and charged the students to be ready to be taught to become total men and women.

To spur students to perform excellently both in academics and morals, Odetunde said a number of prizes and awards are given to students and urged the new intakes to strive to benefit from such.

He said: “Some of your colleagues will be recognised for their academic excellence; those on the vice chancellor’s list with Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.50 and above, and those on the Dean’s list with CGPA between 4.00 and 4.49. They have worked hard to ensure they are the best in their various classes and the university acknowledges that.

“For those of you who are not on either of the two lists, and even those on the list, I want you to remember that the beginning of a race does not determine the final outcome.  Therefore, continuous improvement is required to make it to the end successfully by simply being a primus inter pares in your class.

“Let it be known that AUI does not measure academic excellence by CGPA alone but by the totality of performance taking into consideration, the school’s motto for learning and character,” Odetunde said.