Sola POPOOLA
The Director, Kenya School of Law, Prof. Patrick Lumumba is billed to speak at the maiden edition of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti(ABUAD) and Trinity Western University, Canada (ABUAD-TWU) 2023 International Conference on Leadership and Governance for Sustainable Change and Wealth Creation.
The ABUAD’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Smaranda Olarinde who hinted this during a pre-Convocation Press Conference disclosed that renowned human rights activist would speak on the “The Role of Leadership and Governance in Socio-political and Economic Development.”
Professor Olarinde said the university was set to graduate 1,668 students, out of this number 1,459 are Bachelors while 209 were Postgraduate students
Speaking on the 13th anniversary of the institution and 11th convocation ceremonies the VC disclosed that a total of 141 first class honours were recorded.
She explained that 752 students came out with second-class upper division, 397 in second-class lower division while 40 fell under third-class division and 123 MBBS students.
The university,according to the VC would confer honorary degrees on some eminent and deserving personalities.
“Just like the university has been doing since our maiden convocation on October 21, 2013, the University’s Senate and Council unanimously approved the nominations of three eminent personalities for the confermemt of Honorary Degress.
“In strict compliance with the 2012 Keffi Declaration, the University’s Council and Senate, after a strict, rigorous and thorough as well as merit-based selection process, approved the nominations of three eminent personalities for the conferment of Honorary Degrees in appreciation of the various ways they have impacted the society.”
A former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku would be conferred with honorary doctorate degree of Letters (D.Litt) in appreciation of his sterling contributions to education and diplomacy.
Also, His Royal Highness, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad 1, (JSC Retd) and Emir of Lafia Bare-Bari would be conferred with honorary doctorate degree of Law (LLD) for his passion for education and for adorning the Bench with honour, dignity and character.
A business magnate and Managing Director of BOVAS and Company Limited, Mrs Victoria Samson would be also conferred with honorary doctorate degree of Letters (D.Litt) for her contributions in the sphere of business and service delivery in the Oil and Gas industry.
The Vice-Chancellor said that the convocation lecture would be delivered by the seasoned diplomat and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, titled “Management of Diversity: A Major Challenge in Pluralistic Countries.”
Olarinde reiterated that the university stands for the entrenchment of quality, functional and impactful education and its avowed decision to teach Nigerians how a university should be run.
According to Olarinde; “You are equally aware of its mind-boggling achievements since it commenced Academic works on its permanent site on Monday, January 4, 2010, including its being ranked by Times Higher Education Impact Rankings as Number 1 University in Nigeria for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023) and Number 221 in the world in 2023.
“Over the past decade, ABUAD has experienced significant growth, a testament to the enduring vision of its founder, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN. This remarkable progress, particularly evident in the 1516% increase in the number of graduating students from 103 in 2013 to 1168 in 2023 underscores the institution’s commitment to excellence.
“Such achievement has been possible due to a persistent focus on high education standards, continuous infrastructural development, and substantial funding investments. These concerted efforts have indelibly positioned ABUAD as a citadel of learning, where quality education is not just a goal but a standard that shapes future leaders.”
She disclosed that various prizes would be given for Academic Excellence and for Character and Integrity to the worthy and deserving Ambassadors of the institution during the Founder’s Dinner and Awards Night.”