Our graduands are symbol of hope for better Nigeria - FUNAAB VC

 Prof. Kolawole Salako, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has described the set of graduands that the university would be graduating this week as a symbol of hope for a better Nigeria.

Salako stated this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday by the institution’s Head, Directorate of Public Relations, Kola Adepoju.

According to the statement, Salako would be presiding over his last convocation ceremony as the vice-chancellor of FUNAAB during the 28th and 29th combined convocation ceremony on Wednesday and Thursday.

Speaking at a special Sunday Service held at Chapel of Grace, Salako noted that the graduands were symbol of hope in the teeming youths that better the lot of the country.

The vice chancellor bemoaned the soaring spate of involvement of Nigerian youths in social vices, especially cyber crimes and money rituals.

He expressed joy that giving the quality of youths that FUNAAB would be graduating on Wednesday and Thursday ,there was hope of a better future for the country and future leaders.

The vice chancellor described the university graduands as set of youths who truly had been found worthy in character and learning to impact the society and the nation at large positively.

He stressed that more importantly, the university had trained them to be self reliant, wealth creators, employers of labour and affect the social, political and economic facets of the country positively.

Prof.Salako pointed out that specifically the thematic concern of the Convocation Lecture holding on Wednesday is designed to address the challenges facing the nation's graduates and youths in general in sourcing fund for their entrepreneurial drive.

Prof Salako said this is why the University is delighted that former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria,(CBN),Mr.Tunde Lemo whom he described as a round peg in a round hole is coming to inspire the graduands as Convocation Lecturer.

Providing a background insight into the convocation Ceremonies,the Vice-Chancellor said it would have been impossible to achieve but for the faithfulness of God,the proactiveness of his Administration and commitment of members of staff of the University.

According to him, COVID-19 lockdown at it peak almost "locked down" the academic process which led to the convocation ceremony holding on Wednesday and Thursday ,thanking God,academic and Non-Teaching staff,as well as students for their unwavering commitment.

According to him,"There was lockdown but FUNAAB was not locked down"

Speaking further,Prof Salako who was accompanied to the special Service by his wife,Mabel,Principal Officers and other top officials of FUNAAB charged students of the institution not to "demarket" the university by promoting in the social media fake news that is capable of denting the image of the University and devalueing their certificates.

The Vice-Chancellor said that though he's proud of being a Lion( an Alumnus of University of Nigeria,Nsukka(UNN)) with the University Bursar,Mr.Chukwuwinke Ezekpeazu),he added that as Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB he will forever be more proud of the University " because I have greater stake here".

He thanked the Chaplain of the University who incidentally is now the the Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Academic),Prof.Christian Ikeobi,his Assistants and the entire Congregation for their prayers and support in general for his Administration and solicited for more especially now at the tail end of his tenure.

He congratulated the graduands in the congregation,charging them to be good ambassadors of the University always.

Prof.Salako expressed gratitude to God for being his pillar of support as Vice-Chancellor,recalling that he came to the Church to thank God and commit the Convocation Ceremonies of 2019 to God in November 28,2019 and that of 2020 in January that year and now the combined 28th and 29th Convocation Ceremonies holding this week Wednesday and Thursday today(Sunday),disclosing that his tenure will end October 2022. 

Adorning flowing two pieces native attire popularly known as Agbada in Southwest,Nigeria,with a pair of shoe to matchi and flanked by his wife,Prof Salako with his thanksgiving offering danced infectiously and beaming with smiles to the alter to appreciate God amid melodious song of praise to the Almighty.

He was accompanied by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Development) Prof Babatunde Kehinde,his Academics counterpart,Prof

Christian Ikeobi,Registrar,Dr.Bola Adekola,Bursar,Mr.Chukwuwinke Ezekpeazu,University Librarian,Dr.Fehintola Onifade, Senior Deputy Registrar, Vice-Chancellor's Office,Mrs.Toyin Dawodu,among others.

Earlier in his Exhortation ,Prof.

Adeboye Fafiolu thanked God for the achievements of Prof Salako"s Administration charging him and his team to trust God more than before for greater success.

Special prayers were said for progress,peace,development and protection of the University,Principal Officers and their families,as well as staff and students of the University and for a successful convocation Ceremonies.

Activities marking the combined convocation Ceremonies continue tomorrow with Agric and Research Fair and Novelty Match.