Elizade University Vice-Chancellor Urges Rural Students to Think Beyond Environmental Limits

The Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Prof. Philip Oguntunde, has urged secondary school students in rural communities to look beyond their immediate environment and pursue ambitious global aspirations.

He made the call while inaugurating the maiden edition of the Global-Community Engagement Programme of the Department of International Relations of Elizade University in collaboration with The Apostolic High School, Ilara-Mokin.

Addressing the students, Prof. Oguntunde stressed that geographical location should not determine the limits of a young person’s ambition, noting that mindset, discipline and personal effort remain the real drivers of success.

According to him, no environment has the power to define an individual’s future unless the person allows it.

“Your environment should not restrict what you can become. The only person capable of limiting your growth or development is yourself through your mindset, actions or inaction,” he said.

He encouraged the students to remain focused on their education and long-term goals, sharing his personal experience of growing up in a rural setting and advancing academically through determination and consistency.

He disclosed that his first visit to Lagos came only after completing his first degree, despite having nurtured international ambitions from an early stage in life.

Prof. Oguntunde also announced that the Global-Community Engagement Programme would be expanded in subsequent editions to include more schools across different communities, with plans to support teacher capacity development across Ondo State.

Earlier, the Acting Head of the Department of International Relations, Dr. Tunde Fajimbola, said the initiative positions participating students as representatives of a global future and aligns with international development priorities.

He noted that the programme has been recognised within frameworks linked to the United Nations for youth engagement, girl-child empowerment and advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

He added that the initiative is designed to enhance students’ global competitiveness while promoting awareness of social development issues.

In her remarks, the Vice-Principal of The Apostolic High School, Mrs. F. O. Folayan, expressed appreciation to Elizade University for the outreach, describing it as a transformative opportunity for the students and urging them to take full advantage of the programme.

As part of the engagement, students from Elizade University delivered awareness talks on key social issues. Miss Grace Ekong spoke on the challenges of teenage pregnancy, while Miss Funke Agunbiade addressed strategies for curbing bullying among students.

The event also featured participation from the Boys’ Scout and Girls’ Guild, with Prof. Oguntunde and Mrs. Folayan formally inducted into the groups, adding symbolic significance to the programme.