Address Delivered by the Chancellor of Osun State University, Apostle (Dr.) Folorunso Alakija

Address Delivered by the Chancellor of Osun State University, Apostle (Dr.) Folorunso Alakija at the Grand Finale of the 11thconvocation Ceremonies for the Conferment of First, Postgraduate and Honorary Degrees held on Wednesday, 21st September 2022

PROTOCOLS Praise the Lord!

I hereby stand on existing protocols However, I will like to recognise the presence of The Executive Governor and Visitor to Osun State University, His Excellency, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN, FCIArb The Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye and Other Highly Reverred Royal Fathers here present    

It is my pleasure to welcome our dignitaries to the grand finale of the eleventh Convocation Ceremonies of this ivory tower. I give glory to the Almighty God for sparing our lives to witness this event, for it is because of His mercy and grace that we are so honoured.   On behalf of the University community, I appreciate his excellency the visitor and executive governor of the land of virtue, for the attention your government has continued to give this University.   Your Excellency, I want to assure you that the University will continue to utilise all the resources allocated to it by the State most prudently and judiciously. I equally acknowledge the good works and quality of management of the Governing Council of this University. I commend the Council for peacefully, painstakingly and objectively appointing a new Vice-Chancellor in January this year.   I must let the world know that this is a Council with the highest level of commitment and dedication to the cause of the institution.   I welcome the new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebooye, a seasoned scholar with a remarkable track record in grantsmanship who is attending this Convocation Ceremony for the first time, in his capacity as the fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor of this citadel of learning.   Within a few days of his assumption of office, he has fully demonstrated capacity for visionary leadership, and he has made outstanding achievements that have further propelled the University on a higher level of global relevance and recognition.   I recall your promise of consolidating our past gains and expanding the scope to attain sustainability as your vision earlier this year. I pray that your tenure will be successful.   I beseech management, staff, students and every stakeholder of the University to unite and give support to this administration. Osun State University belongs to every one of us.   This institution that is just fifteen years has risen so fast to become a household name and peer with long-established universities in the country. This would not have been possible if an enabling environment did not exist, and all of you have contributed to the stability and consistency the University is revered for. I am also happy to see that the collaboration of the College of Humanities and Culture, Ikire with Harvard University’s Centre for African Studies is operational and productive. It is always my pleasure to continue to leverage my relationships with international institutions of learning for the good of this University. I am honoured to do it and I would not relent in my efforts to further accentuate the dreams of the University’s founding fathers. I must also say that I am keenly following other landmark achievements made by the University. It gladdens my heart most exceedingly to note that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has approved and accredited the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) of this University. With this approval, we are another step closer to the full actualisation of our dream of providing the best medical care in a state-of-the-art Teaching Hospital that God is helping my family and I to build for the University and indeed our nation.   By the grace of God, the project will be completed and handed over for use by this time, next year and we shall all be alive to witness this historic event in Jesus name. Amen. I am also happy to note that the University is increasingly becoming the toast of the Nigerian public because of its characteristic peace, institutional focus and visionary leadership and I urge you all to sustain this.   Congratulations to our Graduands I rejoice with the graduands of today. You started your journey a few years ago and you have come to the end of that journey today. The University has not only provided you with qualitative education that prepares you for life, but it has also provided you with entrepreneurial skills that will make you excel among your peers. Some of you run businesses already and would not be picking up white-collar jobs. I urge you to become creative with your craft and trade, apply your education to what you do and strive to be the best in that venture. I congratulate the happy parents and guardians of the graduands. Seeing a child through University in Nigeria nowadays is not a small feat. I know that there would have been times you shed tears out of frustration for where the money to pay their fees would come from, there would have also been nights when prayers would be lifted to God on behalf of these ones so that they can succeed. I, therefore, rejoice with you that all the sacrifices you made to ensure you paid their fees, fend for them and give them the best that you could afford has yielded fruit. Today is a testament that God never forsook you during those trying times.   Congratulations to Our Honorary Degree Awardees I celebrate our eminent Honorary Degree awardees for the recognition of their discreet but profound contributions to humanity. Our University is noted for awarding honorary degrees on merit and to very deserving personalities. Yours is by no means different.   My hearty congratulations go to Dr. Lawrence Olusegun Aina, (OFR) an erudite banking guru and Past President and Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, as well as Mrs. Victoria Adunola Samson (Managing Director, BOVAS Group), on the well-deserved conferment of the Honoris Causa of our great and prestigious University on them today. I urge you to continue to do your best in philanthropy and patriotism in the overall interest of humanity.   I would end this address by charging all our Kabiyesis, honorary awardees, members of the National and State Houses of Assemblies, development associations and affluent indigenes of this State to join hands in developing this promising citadel of learning. God bless Osun State University! God bless Osun State! And God bless our dear country, Nigeria! Amen!