Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, has asked young people, especially graduating students of Augustine University to utilise and convert their innate talents and gifts into entrepreneurial opportunities to mitigate unemployment rate in the country. Archbishop Martins gave the charge during the 6th convocation ceremony of Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos, held recently at the school’s convocation hall.
The Archbishop said apart from the graduands receiving their scrolls, the high point of the entire event was the convocation lecture given by Dr. Peter Bamkole, entitled, “Rethinking economic rebirth in Nigeria through youth entrepreneurship”, which spoke to the situation in the country at this point in time. The Archbishop noted that people, particularly the young ones are capable of being entrepreneurs, and could achieve extraordinary feats with focus, reflection and observance of the opportunities that are available in the country.
According to him, the opportunities should encourage young Nigerians to scale through the challenges, as he encouraged them to avail themselves of information as well as willingness and strength to do things to achieve great feats. The guest lecturer, Dr. Peter Bamkole, comparing the past when youths had access to varying employment opportunities, regretted the rate of unemployment in the present time, as he urged the youths to be innovative and passionate in entrepreneurial pursuit, which he said is necessary for economic rebirth of the nation.
He urged the graduands to become good in critical thinking and problem solving, which are necessary in any entrepreneurial venture, as he stated that anybody in any sector, can be successful in entrepreneurial pursuit. He gave instances of organisations being led by young people, including financial institutions such as Flutterwave, Paystack, Paga, Kuda, Opay, Moniepoint, that are revolutionising the sector, providing access to the underserved and creating jobs in the process. He asked them to take advantage of opportunities, adding that private organisations, federal and state governments are investing in youth entrepreneurship with the aim of creating traction in the youth entrepreneurship space.
The Chancellor, Mr. Femi Otedola, represented by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Christopher Odetunde reminded the graduands that their being educated is to help them grow as professionals and people of character, taking all they have learnt with them wherever they go. He urged them to apply the knowledge they have acquired to opportunities and challenges that will confront them as they go out into the world, adding that their education is not just a tool for personal success, but a platform for service to others, as their degree is a symbol of academic achievement and also a testament to their commitment to learning, and to living a life of integrity.
The best graduating student, Loko Iyanuoluwa Emmanuel, thanked God as he urged his fellow graduands to take full advantage and focus on the talents that God has deposited in each of them. He thanked the school for instilling morals, teamwork, sportsmanship and skills in them, appreciating the management for ensuring that they produce graduates who meet the requirements of learning and character. Of the 71 graduands on the occasion were 10 first class, 34 second class upper, among other class divisions.
