A Celebration of Academic Excellence

Anyone who did not attend Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), who was present at its third convocation ceremonies held recently, would be tempted to renounce his/her Alma mater.

The five-day event witnessed a collection of excellent colourful activities which include: Convocation Press Conference and Games, Film Show; Thanksgiving Service, Founder’s Interaction with the Alumni, Unveiling of the Founder’s Statue, and Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Induction/ Oath Taking Ceremony for ABUAD Engineering Graduates others include: Convocation Carnival Night, Cultural Show, Nomination of ABUAD Ambassadors, Convocation Lecture, Founder’s and Alumni Dinners, where King Sunny Ade, the Golden Mercury of Africa performed live. The Convocation Grand Finale and Awards held at the 7000-seater capacity magnificent, Alfa Belgore Hall, witnessed the conferment of honorary degree on four eminent Nigerian Scholars. They include: His Royal Majesty, Oba Lamidi O. Adeyemi III, CFR, the Allaafin of Oyo; Justice Emmanuel O. Ayoola, CON (JSC) (Rtd); Prof. Attahiru Jega OFR (Immediate past INEC Chairman) and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese

The admission to first degrees of the University witnessed ABUAD graduating students from five colleges namely: Engineering, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, Sciences and Social and Management Sciences and Department of Chemical Engineering.

Almost 50 different awards and prizes worth millions of naira cut across different faculties and departments were presented to deserving students. Ogheneko (B.Sc. Accounting) won the Vice Chancellor prize for being the best overall graduating student (2015) while Odunsi, Eunice Olusola won the Provost College of Law Award as the best graduating student for the year among others.

The president and founder Afe Babalola University, Chief Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), in his speech, implored the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the University. He further called on the Federal Government to assist through TETFUND in the funding of private universities in Nigeria noting that the future of University education is in private universities.

Each of the four distinguished award recipients commended ABUAD and its founding father: “I have followed the trajectory of your unalloyed commitment to public service especially through Law and Education in Nigeria. I also noted your enthusiasm and commitment during our work at the National Political Reform Conference in 2005. Your tenure as the Chairman of the Governing Council of University of Lagos was a turning point for that University and we noted your vision” said Bishop Mathew Kukah.

“I also note with pride that within five years, ABUAD has grown to be a trail-blazer in quality education in Africa and in the rest of the world,” said another distinguished award recipient, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ayoola.

For Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo,”ABUAD has come of age as a major player in the global industry in tertiary education and it is already a trail-blazer in this very important area, shaping the lives of the younger generation and preparing them for future leadership roles in all works of life.”

“Discovery +234”, a magazine-style television programme, currently airing on NTA, has launched its second season in early 2016, featuring more of Nigeria’s top personalities and inspiring stories. Show guests have included Mai Atafo, Maureen Obaweya, Kelechi Amadi-Obi and Niyola.

“Discovery +234” seeks to entertain, inspire, inform and connect with audiences across Nigeria. The programme brings in Nigeria’s top personalities and celebrity guests to share their experiences, challenges and successes. Through celebrity guests, youth reporters and inspiring stories from across Nigeria, young people, parents and communities see what can be accomplished with a good education and hard work - challenging youth to reach their full potential. Season Two will also feature youth roundtables, in which young people from Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria talk with each other about the challenges and opportunities they face in today’s world.

“Discovery +234” is part of the Discovery Project, a unique public-private partnership between Discovery Communications (parent company of Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, etc.) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) to improve education opportunities in Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. The project is being implemented by Discovery Learning Alliance (DLA), which uses the power of media to transform education and improve lives. Working in schools, communities and through mass media initiatives, DLA is impacting tens of millions of people around the world.

Tony Gardner, DFID Kenya’s Deputy Head of Office, said: “The “Discovery +234” format is an innovative way to improve attitudes toward education, particularly for girls, who often access education at lower rates than boys. In partnership with Discovery, we are excited about providing better futures for children and communities through the “Discovery +” model.”