Titus Eleweke
15 November 2009
The Evangel Christian University of America, Monroe Lousiana, U.S.A, Africa Campus recently graduated 94 students, with a call on them to impact positively on the life of the people, as the only way they can demonstrate the quality of knowledge they have acquired.
Prof. Charles Henderson, Chancellor of the institution who made the call, also enjoined the grandaunts to learn to show discipline, determinations, intelligence, hopes and optimism as they move into the global arena, saying this will enable them to face future challenges.
The ceremony which took place at the University of Lagos conference centre saw 50 students' bagging Bachelor degrees; 44-students received Masters with some eminent Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in their chosen fields given honorary doctorate degrees.
The students who had satisfied all the necessary requirements for graduation were awarded the various degrees at the institution's 10th convocation ceremony.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion include Prof. Boniface Nwabuko, Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Luke Okojie, Senate member and Mr. Paul Ojeih, a traditional medical practitioner who doubles as the president of the institution's alumni.
The honorary doctorate degrees recipients were Dr. Emeka Ayabuzu, Chief Executive Officer of I. A. Mesco Ventures Nigeria Limited; Mrs. Judith-Anne Kehinde Adetunji, a retired civil servant; Mr. Omoyede Oyelede, an accountant, and Mr. Adesina Lasisi Sanni, an insurance expert.
Prof. Henderson urged those who were honoured with the doctorate degrees not to rest on their oars, but to double their efforts towards improving the quality of lives in their communities.
According to him, 'If you can follow this advice, more rewards are awaiting you in future'.
The chancellor also spoke on plans by the institution to consider more Nigerian for honour in the future, just as he commended the healthy academic environment provided by the Nigerian government to encourage more foreign institutions to invest in the country.
His words: "I want to use this opportunity to advise all the graduating students that you should borrow a leaf from the experience to have the features of discipline, determinations, intelligence, hopes and optimism as you move into the global arena.
"This will give you solid foundation to face any challenges in life. You should look at those who had impacted positively in the life of their people in the world as your role model. Through this, you will bring honour to your communities."
In his own remarks, Proprietor of Access International School, Magboro-Akeran, Ogun-State, Dr. Jonathan Akpan who was conferred with Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Honoris Causa said the recognition will spur him to contribute more to the society.
He said he intends to use the award to boost his determination towards providing better and qualitative education through his school for the training of tomorrow's leaders.
On the notion that the standard of education is fallen in the country, Dr. Akpan who disagreed with this view said the nation's education standard was improving given the level of investments into the sector in the last one decade.
He advised government at all levels to put in place necessary policies that would encourage private sector involvement in the education sector in the country.
According to him, recent developments in the sector have shown that private sector can not be undermined in the educational development of Nigeria, rather it will boost it.
Appreciating the award, he said "this honour is a tonic that will spur me to do more positive things in the development of education sector in the country'
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