…As 56 bag First-class at its 14th convocation
From Toluwa Agboluaje, Ibadan
Adesina
President, African Development Bank(AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina will on Saturday November 2, be conferred with the Doctor of Entrepreneurship ( Honoris Causa) of Bowen University,Iwo,Osun State.
Addressing a press conference heralding the 14th convocation ceremonies on Monday at the institution’s Council Chambers, the Vice-chancellor of the university, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, disclosed that Dr. Adesina would also deliver the convocation lecture titled:”Africa’s Future: Positioning University to Nurture and Develop Entrepreneurial Initiatives”.
According to Prof. Ogunwole:”Bowen University is committed to providing the kind of education that makes the products ahead of their peers. In recognition of quality, the ceremony would formalize the conferment of the Doctor of Entrepreneurship (Honoris Causa) of the university on His Excellency, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina ,the President of African Development Bank. Dr. Adesina is expected to deliver this year’s convocation lecture titled:”Africa’s Future: Positioning University to Nurture and Develop Entrepreneurial Initiatives”.
On the chioce of Dr. Adesina, the Vice-chancellor said the core values of Bowen University fit into life, activities and character of the AfDB President.
“We picked the man because he fits into the mould of Bowen’s core values.He is a lover of God, man of excellence, first-class graduate and has been coming top in every area of life. He exudes excellence”, he said, adding that Adesina moved the ideas he preached when he was a Minister to the continental level.
While giving the run-down of the activities lined up for the convocation, Prof. Ogunwole said there would be convocation service and free medical check-up for Iwo community on Wednesday 30th October. On 31st October,there would be convocation play by Theatre Arts programme and baccalaureate/choral evening which would be followed by convocation cocktail on Friday November the first. It would climax on Saturday November the second,2019.
The Vice-chancellor also disclosed that at the grand finale on Saturday,at the convocation ground, 838 graduands would be conferred with degrees in various fields. He added that 39 would be conferred with MBBS , 56 with first-class honours, 302 with second-class(Upper division), 375 with second-class honours(lower division),66 with third-class while 30 graduands with diploma and other higher certificates.
Speaking on the saturated labour market, the VC said the school products are being trained to create jobs and commercialize them. He called for the review of the nation’s curricula to meet up with the current realities.
On effort being made to curb drug abuse among the students, he said theiversity authorities had made efforts which had reduced the incidence of drug abuse by 90 per cent.
According to him,the university has been strict in sanctioning any erring students not matter the plead from any quarters. The school has recorded a high level of compliance ,adding that even students have been supportive in fishing out others.
The VC who reeled out the achievements of his administration, said since assumption of office on 1st August, 2018, it has been story of transformation, repositioning and rebranding. Saying the university has changed its business model from the faculty mode to the modified collegiate system.
He affirmed that the university is ahead of its contemporaries in terms of academic offerings, human capital development, innovation, research and general administration and financial accountability
Established on 17th July, 2001,Bowen University was named after the late Rev. Thomas Jefferson Bowen, an American missionary who pioneered Bapist mission work in Nigeria in 1854. Since then, the university has graduated about 12,000 who are doing great things all over the world.
Its core values are Godliness, excellence, entrepreneurship, innovation and social responsibility.
Its mission is centred on creating a conducive and dynamic teaching ,learning and research environment that equips its graduates with Christ-like character, positive attitude and sterling leadership qualities.
