The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has charged the fresh graduates of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye to brace themselves for the challenges ahead in the larger society. He urged them to imbibe self-discipline, cultivate the right attitude, embrace excellence and use their time judiciously.
Prof. Oloyede gave the charge while delivering the Convocation Lecture during the 30th and 31st Convocation Ceremonies of the University for the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 academic sessions held at the OGD Hall, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye on Monday, 31st January, 2022. At the colourful event, no fewer than 13,847 students graduated and were awarded different degrees across the Colleges, Faculties and Departments of the University.
In the lecture entitled, “Your Future is in Your Hands,” the Guest Speaker congratulated the graduands and advised them not to lose sight of the fact that their graduation from the University is automatically the beginning of another journey in life.
“While congratulating you on the milestone that your graduation signifies, it is still imperative that you brace yourselves for the challenges ahead because life is not a bed of roses but a jungle where the mantra is the survival of the fittest. You must be fit with the right attitude because you are solely responsible for yourself. The first battleground is your heart and you must remain always positive,” he said.
According to him, of all the ingredients the fresh graduates need to succeed in the jungle of life, nothing is more important than self-discipline. “You must work on your mind to have self-control at all times. You must have a set of principles on which you live. I cannot over-emphasise the importance of self-discipline because it has helped me significantly in surviving my own battles,” Prof. Oloyede told the graduands.
The distinguished scholar enjoined the new graduates not to lose focus but always keep their eyes on the ball regardless of circumstances. He averred that whatever happens to anyone is a direct result of his choices and actions. He said, “The world you are graduating into is a complex one. Contemporary realities and contextual absurdities are even making things more complicated. But with the right mindset and a good sense of focus, you can always achieve your goals without compromising your values, principles and ideals.
“I was a Vice-Chancellor some 15 years ago when I publicly said I had never taken a bribe in my life. Till today, I have never taken a bribe and I have never regretted it. You are the captain of your ship and you can steer it the way you like without blaming anyone. I know that the Almighty God is the Supreme Captain of our life but in context, you are responsible for your actions, reactions, inactions, interactions and transactions.”
Speaking further, Prof. Oloyede pointed out that the graduands are not only responsible for themselves but also always have options on how to approach the situations confronting them. His words: “You may choose to be an eagle and soar above all your challenges with determination and courage or you may choose to be a duck, quacking and complaining, the way many Nigerians do, both offline and online. Be unconquerable! Do not accept defeat. Understand that NO is Next Opportunity and be hopeful. Your destiny is in your hands and whatever you think is likely to be your reality.”
The Guest Speaker warned the graduands against engaging in inanities on social media, asking them to always be deliberate about their words and actions “because ultimately, the words you use go a long way in shaping the world you live.”
He said, “In an age where we have more certificates but less sense, some messages may not sink. Nevertheless, it is important to remind your generation that while it is good to ‘sorosoke’ (speak loud), it may be better on some occasions to ‘dakejeje’ (be silent). It is only an empty tank that makes the loudest noise. And no one needs to shout to make a simple point.”
“The inanities that constitute much of what is on the social media appall me. Some of you on the social media, out of sheer naivety and crass ignorance, post online all kinds of messages and photographs that will haunt you for life later.’’ Noting that OOU prioritises excellence judging from the University’s motto: “Excellentia Humana et Patriae Opus” (the flowering of human abilities and service to the fatherland), Prof. Oloyede stressed the need for the graduands to let excellence be their watchword.
“In essence, excellent character is a top requirement for a great future because whoever is bereft of character is bereft of value. Be mindful of God; be patient and forebearing; be open to correction as the only man who makes no mistakes is a man who never does anything; pay attention to your inner self and always leave your mark wherever you go,” he counselled.
