Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde and other stakeholders have called on the graduating class of the Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan to actively contribute to societal change and development and take up their roles as ethical leaders.
The governor and the other speakers stated this at the third convocation ceremony of PCU, held at the University Auditorium.
118 graduates were honoured at the ceremony, with emphasis laid on their potentials to address and tackle the national challenges.
Governor Makinde highlighted the urgent need for ethical governance as he delivered a keynote lecture on Faith, Leadership And Governance: Preparing The Next Generation For Ethical Leadership In Nigeria.
He warned that when ethical people avoid politics, the system would be dominated by individuals lacking integrity, resulting in poor governance.
Makinde stressed that his administration has worked to rebuild public trust by fostering transparency and accountability, raising the state’s budget performance from 35 per cent to over 70 per cent during his tenure.
The governor urged the PCU graduates to consider public service and to embody ethical leadership by being teachable, humble and committed to the public good.
“Good people must not shy away from politics,” he said, adding that ethical leadership requires integrity and moral courage, even in challenging situations.
Makinde illustrated the importance of responsible leadership based on data and scientific reasoning, citing his decision not to implement a full lockdown in Oyo State during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Governor Makinde was accompanied to the ceremony by top officials, including Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo, and Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, among others.
Vice-Chancellor of PCU, Professor Timothy Adejumo, commended the graduates’ achievements, noting that 14 earned First-Class honours, while others excelled in various disciplines.
The ceremony also saw the conferment of honorary degrees on Bishop Felix Owolabi and Rev. Gbeminiyi Eboda for their dedication to faith and service.
Chairman of the PCU Governing Board, Dr. Samson Adegoke, said he was proud of the university’s commitment to fostering both academic excellence and spiritual growth.
He urged graduates to be reliable, trustworthy and committed to societal advancement, reminding them that true education is a call to serve humanity.
Abraham Motolani Akinwole, the best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.98 in Physics with Electronics, represented his peers in a valedictory speech.
He encouraged them to exemplify the progressive values instilled at PCU and to be agents of change in Nigeria and Africa. “Let us reject stereotypes and work towards a future marked by collaboration and innovation,” Akinwole said.
Ex- Nigerian international, Dr. Felix Owolabi, also advised the PCU graduates not to adopt an entitlement mentality but to create impact and avoid dependency.
He emphasised the potential for greatness within Nigeria and encouraged them to be job-creators in a developing economy.
Dr Owolabi noted that, despite challenges, international entities like Microsoft and the U.S. government have continued to invest in Nigeria, underscoring its resilience.
PCU Chancellor, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, prayed for the successes of tye graduates and reminded them of the importance of faith. He celebrated university’s record of no student fatalities since its inception, attributing it blessing to divine protection.
In his written address, Bishop Oke advised the graduates to face life’s challenges with resilience and remain anchored in the godly values imparted to them at PCU.
“Life is not a straight path, but with curiosity, integrity and faith, you will navigate its complexities and make a lasting impact,” he said.
