The Vice-Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, has advised the graduands of the Faculty of Law in the institution to be good ambassadors of the University and always exhibit its ideals wherever they find themselves.
Prof Olatunde gave the admonition while speaking at the 7th Valedictory Session in honour of the 2019/2020 graduating students of the institution’s Faculty of Law held on April 22, 2021 at the OGD Hall, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye.
The Vice-Chancellor, who chaired the occasion and ably represented by the University Registrar, Mr Femi Ogunwomoju, said the event marked the beginning of another phase in the lives of the graduands. He charged them to continue to comport themselves and project the good image of the University always.
Prof Olatunde stated that their accomplishments must have come with great sacrifices, dedication and commitment. While congratulating the students for making themselves, their parents and the University proud, the Vice-Chancellor further wished them success in their future endeavours.
He added, “As you graduate from the University, I want you to remember the ideals in everything you do. As you observe when you collected your certificates, written boldly on your certificate is that you have been found worthy in knowledge and in character.
In this University, we not only provide knowledge, we also cherish the ideals of what the Yoruba call “Omoluabi.” We expect you to be well rounded in character, well moulded and I’m sure law as a discipline is well regulated and would have taught you about the ideals of the University and how you comport yourselves as you graduate from this institution.
It is not only about being knowledgeable, it’s also about being found worthy in character. I ask you to please extend the good image of the University in all that you do henceforth.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Ag. Dean, Faculty of Law, Dr. Gbade Akinrinmade, implored the graduating students to maintain virtues of discipline, morality and hard work as they step out of the University. Dr. Akinrinmade, who noted that the graduands were outstanding and competent, having been well groomed by the institution, wished them success in their future endeavours.
He also congratulated the parents of the graduands and prayed that their labour would not be in vain.
The Ag. Dean said, “We must also be thankful to God who has been gracious enough to save our respective lives at this particular point in time, taking into consideration what the nation and the world in general have witnessed in the last one year. We return all the glory to him.
Now to the graduating students, I know and I can attest to the fact that you are one of the best in the country. I know you have been well grounded morally and in terms of educational instruction. If we have cause to compare you with your peers, you are above board.
As you are going into the world, there is one thing that can either make or mar one. And that is your attitude. I know you have been well taught both academically and morally. Please I implore you to exhibit these virtues when you step into the outside world. Aside from that, you have to be very hardworking because you have the foundation which you need and I know that the sky is the limit for you.”
Noting that the labour market is very competitive, Dr. Akinrinmade further urged the graduands to always put in their best in whatever they do. “But one thing I want to add is while you work hard, you should also try as much as possible to enjoy your life in the sense that it is just only one life but don’t live it recklessly,” he advised.
Mr Olusegun Sipeolu, delivering his lecture
The Ag. Dean also used the occasion to acknowledge and commend the efforts of both academic and non-teaching staff in the Faculty, pointing out that the University Management indeed appreciated the enormous work they had been doing.
Delivering his lecture, the Guest Speaker and President, OSU/OOU Law Alumni Association, Mr Olusegun Sipeolu, challenged the graduating students not to stop their quest for knowledge. According to him, the graduands are moving into a glorious future but knowledge would go a long way in distinguishing them in the law profession.
He also encouraged the graduands to be determined to succeed, noting that “success does not come on the platter of gold.” He further stressed the need for them to also fear God while focusing on succeeding in life.
“You might find yourself as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, or as a judge or as a magistrate, or even as a President of this nation, this is the time for you to begin to build yourself up,” the Guest Speaker told the graduating law students. “You have people you can look up to. You should aspire and inspire yourself from the inside.”
Sipeolu noted that the University is renowned for producing brilliant law students, adding that they should further distinguish themselves at the Law School.
He said: “You have acquired so much knowledge now but don’t stop there. Wherever you go from today, please go with knowledge and go with facts because that is what will distinguish you amongst so many lawyers.”
“Be determined to succeed. Success does not come on the platter of gold. You can testify because you have to study. You have to burn the midnight candles, you have to do research, you have to submit your projects and so, when you go into the outside world, it is even much more interesting there. You got to be determined.
You have a record that you are going to chase, so be determined to achieve. The Bible says that ‘seest thou a man that is diligent in his business, he will stand before kings and not ordinary men.’ Be determined. If those of us who are ahead of you have done it and God has helped us up to this point, be rest assured that that God is still available and He would help you even to surpass our own record.”
“And above all, as you go into the world, please I beg of you, fear God. If you are a Christian, fear God. If you are a Muslim, fear God. If you are a traditionalist, fear whatever you believe in the tradition. The reason why our society is like this today is because people don’t fear God.”
Highpoint of the event was the selection of the Class Valedictorian from a pool of six candidates. Amid applause and cheers, Kemisola Deborah Ajayi, who scored 28 points in a determinant contest, was announced as the Valedictorian for 2019/2020 graduating set of the Faculty of Law.
In her valedictory speech, Ajayi thanked the University Management for blazing the trail in online teaching after the coronavirus pandemic broke out and disrupted academic pursuit. She also acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Faculty in crystallizing their dreams while also appreciating the Alumni body and their respective parents for their roles.
Her words: “The year 2020 meted to us a pandemic, the COVID-19! That pandemic indeed changed our normal way of life. We began our lectures online, our computers and mobile devices became our classrooms as against the four walls of the lecture theater which we were used to since 2015.
We give great kudos to the magnificent management of this great citadel of learning for blazing the trail in smooth sail online classes and treading firmly and confidently on that path even as other so-called ‘first generation giants’ are still tottering and crawling on that trail.”
Ajayi assured that the graduands would dedicate themselves to ensuring positive change to the overall development of the Nigerian nation. She said in spite of the myriads of economic hardship and other societal factors staring the youths of the country in the face, the graduating set were prepared to redefine the legal profession and make the necessary change.
The valedictory session also witnessed the presentation of award plaques and certificates to some outstanding students as well as donations from the Law Students’ Society to the Faculty.
