…As AUI holds 3rd convocation ceremony
Augustine University, AUI, the foremost citadel of learning of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos was a beehive of activities, T hursday, December 2, 2021 when the school held its 3rd convocation ceremony amid pomp and celebration. T he event saw 45 young men and women, all garbed in elegantly styled graduation gowns that added colour to the serene atmosphere of the Ilara, Epe situated tertiary institution, being conferred with degrees in various disciplines of study. Congratulating the graduates, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos and Proprietor, AUI tasked them to be prepared for the challenges that life will throw at them as they enter into the labour world.
He further tasked them to put into use all the knowledge that they have acquired in their years in the school, as he added that they are equipped with adequate knowledge to forge ahead in a seemingly dysfunctional world. He said: “The times in which we are in our country Nigeria is one that is fraught with seemingly unending dysfunction; widespread of insecurity of life and property, the parlous state of the economy, political arrangement that does not give much room for the young to flourish and grow, the religious fanaticism and tribalism that is killing not only people, but also stalling the enthronement of merit and hard work as yardsticks for growth in career and for promotion at work.
“The insecurity that is posed by global warming, a veritable threat to our common home, the earth, as well as COVID-19, has seen the world wobbling on its own axis. T he things that we felt that we knew are no longer as certain as they used to be.” While reminding the fresh graduates that the school had already prepared them for the myriads of unknown challenges that await them, the Archbishop urged them to ensure they impart the nation positively. He said: “You our graduates are the wind of positive change which the nation needs so desperately.
As you begin to confront this new and daunting world, AUI has done the best that she can to prepare you for the myriads of unknown challenges that awaits you. I hope AUI has succeeded by giving you three gifts, two of which are enshrined in the motto of AUI. First, is knowledge;knowledge derived from learning. Second, is integrity and accountability gotten from character.
And the third is confidence. Learning, character and confidence.’ Speaking further on what make the institution stands out, he commended the parents, the visioner of the university, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, as well as others who contributed to the success of the school. He said: “Our university offers affordable quality education in an environment that is most conducive for learning, in line with the Catholic education tradition.
“To this end, I congratulate you parents, the visioner of this university and thank God that you are alive in good health of mind and body to begin to witness the fruit of the manifestation of your vision. I congratulate the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Christopher Odetunde, the management team and the staff of the university, past and present for their hard work over the years, their tenacity and relentless effort in keeping to the vision on which the university was founded.
“I personally have not been able to come as often to the premises of the AUI, but it has not been necessary for me to do so because of the dedication and the selflessness with which our founding proprietor, the Board of Trustees, the Governing Council, the management and staff have held forth in keeping the university going. Please permit me to use this opportunity to express my depth of gratitude to you for all that you have done and continue to do, in order to educate our young men and women.”
In his address delivered on the occasion, Prof. Christopher Odetunde, Vice Chancellor, AUI, noted that the day was indeed a special one for the conferment of degrees and awards, as well as to celebrate the students who have distinguished themselves in their various f ields of endeavour. Giving a brief account on the start off of the school, he said: “In March 2015, a path was set for Augustine University to take off as a full fledge citadel of learning by the National Universities Commission (NUC), and AUI has been on the progressive path since then.
The collage of our experiences has been the good, the bad and the ugly. T hese experiences are not unique to AUI, but simply a manifestation of work in progress. “We owe it to posterity to enunciate unalloyed truth that funding is a f lash point in most private universities. There is often the erroneous belief that private universities are for profit. This is far from the truth. Private universities are indeed not for profit, and for this reason, we pray that the law that created TETFUND be revisited to capture private universities needs since we are all working towards the same goal of producing the work-force necessary for Nigeria to have an ultimate breakthrough performance in the educational and industrial sectors.”
