Eleven students of Samuel Adegboyega University glides with first class at the third Convocation Ceremony.

The serene country town of Ogwa in Edo State was overtly boisterous on Thursday, 16th November, 2017, as mammoth crowd and eminent personalities from all walks of life converged at the third Convocation Ceremony of Samuel Adegboyega University. The palpable joy of graduands, their parents and well-wishers knew no bounds at the momentous occasion. The week-long event began with thanksgiving service on Sunday, 12th November, 2017, followed by press briefing, novelty match & convocation play, convocation lecture and commissioning of project, reaching a crescendo at the grand finale for the conferment of degrees and prizes. A total of 77 persons graduated, having 11 at First Class honours, 43 Second Class Upper Division, 22 Second Class Lower Division and 1 Third Class. However, 13 students of the set were referred for various academic deficiencies, as they needed to work harder to meet the non-compromising high standards of Samuel Adegboyega University.

The Ceremony was attended by notable dignitaries including Vice-Chancellors of other Universities, captains of industry, traditional rulers, clergies and Government functionaries. The Executive Governor of Edo State was however, ably represented by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Christopher I. Adesotu.

The Vice-Chancellor of the fast emerging world-class institution, Professor Benard Eronmonsele Aigbokhan, held the audience spell-bound with a scintillating speech which highlighted major current accomplishments of the University; six years uninterrupted and crisis-free academic calendar, full accreditation status of all academic programmes, robust curricular, ICT-driven campus with E-Senate operations, Eminent Lecture series, International Collaborations and Linkages, Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to the host community as well as plans in top gear to mounting postgraduate programmes in the 2018/2019 session.

He called for supports and partnership from stakeholders and friends of the University, noting that funding has remained a major constraint in achieving corporate objectives of the University. The Vice-Chancellor paid special tributes to Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Matthew Okpebholo who asphalted 460 metres of road in the University at no cost.

Meanwhile, the Chancellor of the University, Pastor (Dr.) Gabriel Oladele Olutola, JP, on other hand appreciated the doggedness of the proprietors, The Apostolic Church Nigeria, LAWNA Territory in funding the University. While congratulating graduands, parents and guardians of Class of 2017, he said education remains a most invaluable legacy and ladder for social transformation. He charged graduands to take courageous steps to make outstanding contributions wherever life’s journey takes them. Pastor Olutola commended the indefatigable and visionary Vice-Chancellor, Professor Benard Aigbokhan and his dedicated team for providing robust and exemplary leadership for the University Community.

The Visitor, who is also the Chairman of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, LAWNA Territory, Pastor (Dr.) Emmanuel S. Awojide acknowledged the great and sacrificial investment of The Apostolic Church Nigeria members in the continuous fulfilment of the divine prophetic mandate of establishing an exceptional university.

Pastor Awojide reiterated that education was the biggest legacy that a nation can bequeath to the coming generation and noted that Class of 2017 had received a peculiar kind of education as birthed in Christian, spiritual and moral instructions in SAU that will serve them as assets in the present corrupt, moral debased and perverse society. The Visitor reassured the University of a freshwave of empowerment to meet both financial and infrastructural requirements.