Aminat Omilani, a graduate of Economics at the Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan, Oyo State, has made First Class alongside eight other students of the institution.
The First Class students included five females and three males from Computer Science, Economics, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Accounting, with Omilani leading the park having scored a CGPA of 4.85.
Professor Julius Oloke, the Vice-Chancellor of PCU, described the granduands as well-seasoned golden eagles that would make a mark in the development of the country as well as on the global scene.
He said this in his address at the convocation ceremony of the university, held at the Olaogun Campus, Old Ife Road in Ibadan at the weekend.
Oloke said: “We are graduating today 97 students in seven academic programmes: two out of 21 Computer Science students made First Class; two out of 10 Biochemistry students made First Class; one out of 13 Microbiology students made First Class; three out of 18 Accounting students made First Class; and one out of 14 Economics students made First Class.
“The Visitor has approved that the best student should be given an automatic employment as a Graduate Assistant. This will be implemented immediately after the NYSC.”
Giving the score-card of the university, the vice chancellor said: “Many of our members of staff have been gaining recognition for their contributions to knowledge through their election as beneficiaries of international scholarships.
“They included Dr Imah-Harry in Biochemistry programme; Dr Tosin Oreyeni in Mathematics and Dr Afolabi Olajide, the university Librarian.
“The graduands have been trained not to fly in the lowlands like other birds but as eagles to fly in the high places out of the naked human eye and out of range of hunter’s rifle.
“Because they know how to balance spirituality with secularity, they are masters at riding in the eye of the storm. Because we are sure of what we have sown into the life of today’s graduands, we have no other choice than to refer to them as ‘Golden Eaglets’.”
The overall best graduating student of PCU, Aminat Omilani, urged other graduands to bring to bear the knowledge impacted to them at the labour market, saying that co-graduands should be strong and resilient in the face of challenging circumstances.
She said: “Today is a great day. It marks the commencement of a new chapter in our lives; a day we have been waiting for since we entered the higher institution four years ago. Our journey in Precious Cornerstone University represented the challenges we have to overcome.
“Here at Precious Cornerstone University, we have received a great education. Thanks to our Lordship and Chancellor, Bishop Francis Wale Oke; the management led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Julius Oloke; and our amiable and capable lecturers. We are prepared to move out and take whatever challenges might come next in our lives.
“Fellow graduates, I want us to know what a great gift it is to be prepared as you are because not all schools offer such advantage. Here, we had high degree of academic excellence, spiritual soundness and good moral upbringing.
“These experiences, teachings and investments have shaped us to powerful intellectuals, responsible men and women to make an impact in our society, to change our world. We have been equipped with world-class education.”
In his address, the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, who doubles as the Chancellor of PCU, said: “You are golden eagles.
“You must soar. The wind does not disturb the eagle from soaring. As a matter of fact, the eagle soars with the wind.
“You are spiritually and academically prepared to shine. We are educated crooks. We are tired of producing those who will go to the Government House and loot the treasury.”
Bishop Oke said the idea of the university came in 2005, adding; “While on a prayer walk on our land that now shall be the main campus of PCU, the Lord spoke through the scripture that the Sword of the Spirit Ministries should raise a world-class university that shall be called Precious Cornerstone University.
“The journey started on November 11, 2006, when the declaration of the university was made at a meeting at the Premier Hotel, Mokola, Ibadan.
“The Strategic Implementation Committee under the chairmanship of Professor Olumuyiwa Awe of blessed memory, laboured relentlessly to lay a solid foundation for approval of our operating license, with members travelling to Abuja often, meeting every week for many years with the National University Commission.
“On Wednesday, the 6th of December 2017, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) met and approved that PCU be given its operating license.”
The Bishop, who announced the ongoing construction of a new female hostel as well as the plan to commence the construction of a male hostel, said, “All of us know that providing a quality university education require support from all and sundry.
“I will, therefore, like to call on our well wishers to come to our aid in building a university that will produce graduands who will change our nation for better. We have a list of projects that need urgent attention.”
On the coming general election, Bishop Oke said, “As the president of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, my duty is not to tell you who to vote for during the next election but to admonish you to wisely cast your vote, so that you can use your vote to deliver Nigeria.
“Do not stay indoors during the days of election. You must go out to vote. Always remember; your vote counts and you can use it to deliver Nigeria.
“Nigeria will witness deliverance from the hands of the terrible in line with Isiah 49:25. The Nigerian Project will not crumble.
“Oh, you Nigeria, hear the voice of the Lord, all that concern you shall turn for good. Oh, please release your angels to different parts of Nigeria to deliver Nigeria and Nigerians from calamity, kidnap, poverty, backwardness and all evils.”
Wife of the Visitor, Reverend Victoria Oke, expressed joy and prayed for the graduating students.
Pastor Muyiwa Bamigbose delivered the convocation lecture titled, ‘Nigeria youth: Sustainability strategies in a dynamic economy.’
Some accomplished Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and the GMD of The Sujimoto Group, Mr. Sijibomi Ogundele, were honoured with honourary doctorate degree awards.
Ogundele, who is reputed for spearheading some multi-billion-dollar projects in the real estate industry, advised governments at all levels to follow the DIE philosophy which entails strong Diligence in what they do; maintaining the foundation of Integrity.
“This is the currency that is most expensive – higher than the cash you have, and; to move for Excellence,” he said.
To the graduates, he said: “You must be tenacious and dream. A man without dream is an empty man. My mother always says that.
“My mother was a primary school drop out. She rose to become one of the top Nestle distributors. I am an evidence that diamond can come from the corner of a stone.
“That was why I was connected when I received an e-mail from this university because Cornerstone is deeply enrouted in the definition of entrepreneurship.
“Many had thought that I couldn’t even oversee the building of a kitchen. Today, we are building 15-storey buildings and currently planning the development of a 44-storey twin-towers.
“These are only possible because as a forward-thinking entrepreneur in an ever-changing world, I have ingrained in my mind and planted in my heart the D.I.E philosophy–Diligence, Integrity, Excellence.
“It is the Diligence of going the extra mile to achieve customer satisfaction, the Integrity of being a man of your word and doing what you say you will do and the Excellence of providing the best quality products that ensure we leave our clients better than we met them.”
The Director of Human Resources, National Universities Commission (NUC), Dr Odum Boniface, lauded the strides of the university in raising quality graduates.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the university, Dr Samson Adegoke, said: “My joy overflew as we were able to cross the hurdles and overcame all the teething problems, challenges and threats that confronted us as a little flock. To our graduates and golden eagles, congratulations.”
The PCU, which started with 12 programmes, now has 17 programmes, most of which have been accredited by the NUC.
