JABU rewards best graduating students with N1m cash prize

Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) has awarded cash awards of N1 million to the 19-year-old best graduating student of the institution, Mary Ogunmola, while 22 others who graduated with first-class honours also received N500,000 each for their outstanding academic performance.

Apart from Ogunmola, who emerged as the best-graduating student with a CGPA of 4.89, those who emerged best in their departments in the second-class upper category also received N250,000 each as a reward for excellence.

Announcing the cash prize during the 14th convocation ceremony, the newly appointed Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, who doled out the cash prize, urged the students to utilise the skills learned in the institution not only for their personal development but also for the betterment of society.

Adegbulugbe, who charged the Federal Government to extend the World Bank-supported Energising Education Programme to both state and private universities, said this will go a long way towards reducing the challenges confronting tertiary institutions across the country, particularly in the aspect of power supply.

He said, “As the first entrepreneurial university in Nigeria, this institution stands at the forefront of academic evolution. The mandatory acquisition of skill sets alongside academic studies reflects our commitment to producing graduates who are not just knowledgeable but also equipped with the practical tools necessary to thrive in the dynamic landscape of the modern world.

“I am inspired by the vision of this university, which emphasises not only theoretical knowledge but also the application of that knowledge in real-world scenarios. The integration of entrepreneurial skills into the academic curriculum empowers our students to become not only job seekers but also job creators, innovators, and leaders in their respective fields.

“I stand here committed to upholding and advancing this tradition of innovation and entrepreneurship. Together, we will continue to provide fertile ground for intellectual growth and the cultivation of practical skills that will enable our graduates to navigate the complexities of the global marketplace.”

The Pro-Chancellor of JABU, Prof. Joash Amupitan, decried the continued denial of some benefits to private universities and appealed to the federal government to extend the facilities to private institutions.

He said, “There is no denying the fact that private universities in Nigeria have raised the moral standards of students. As we all know, most of these institutions are faith-based.

“Just as JABU has taken the lead, most of these universities have equally instilled in their students entrepreneurial, self-sustaining ideals that have life-changing effects on their future.

“I believe that insomuch as the goals of the federal, state, or private universities are the same, which is to produce an educated workforce that will meet the country’s socio-economic needs in the 21st century, then the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) should not be limited to public universities only.”

Speaking on the achievements recorded by the institution, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olasebikan Fakolujo, disclosed that a total of 467 students graduated during the 14th convocation ceremony, with 23 bagging first-class honours, 66 second-class upper, 43 emerging with second-class lower, and 12 with third-class.

“We have kept you in this citadel for the past three to five years to acquire the requisites to live a full and fulfilled life. This you must continue to do in the quest for life-long education after the educational foundation. Your success in that respect offers this nation hope for a better humanity and service to mankind.

“My charge to you is to continue to express the motto and spirit of this university, ‘for knowledge and godly service’ in all your life’s journey as you become a worthy ambassador of Joseph Ayo Babalola University