NiDCOM boss urges graduands to be useful, visible Nigerians

The outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has charged the fresh graduates of the institution to convert the knowledge and skills they have acquired into intellect-propelled innovations that will solve the yearning technological and industrial challenges of Nigeria.

The VC gave the charge in her speech yesterday during the 29th-30th combined convocation of the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions for graduates (of the Engineering and Agricultural Science faculties at its Epe Campus).

Also, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in her lecture, themed “From LASU to the World: Harnessing the Nigerian Diaspora as the Seventth Region for National Development,” urged the graduating students to step into the world with purpose, excellence and a strong sense of national identity.

She also urged them to see themselves as ambassadors of Nigeria wherever their journeys take them.

Dabiri-Erewa, while delivering the convocation lecture, themed “From LASU to the World: Harnessing the Nigerian Diaspora as the Seventth Region for National Development,” encouraged the graduating students to think globally while remaining firmly connected to Nigeria, stressing that international exposure should serve as an avenue for acquiring knowledge, building networks and creating opportunities that can ultimately benefit the country.

According to her, the increasing global presence of Nigerians presents enormous opportunities for the country, particularly when the knowledge, experiences and resources acquired abroad are channelled towards nation-building.

The NiDCOM boss, who was honoured with an honorary doctorate degree from the institution in 2023, urged the graduating students to pursue excellence wherever their journeys take them, while maintaining a strong sense of responsibility and connection to their homeland.

She further challenged them to deploy their skills, knowledge and networks to make tangible contributions to national development, emphasising that success should be measured not solely by personal achievement but also by the impact individuals have on society.

Dabiri-Erewa noted that Nigerians in the Diaspora have an important role to play in shaping the country’s future through investments, innovation, knowledge transfer, mentorship, partnerships and other forms of engagement.

The Chancellor of the university, Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Epe, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, urged the graduating students to remember that the convocation was not the end of their education but the beginning of greater responsibilities.