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| President, CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele |
The President of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas and Visitor to Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele, has called on graduating students of the university to embrace godliness, integrity, discipline, and innovation as they step into new phases of life. He made the call on Friday during the 16th Convocation Ceremony and Award of Degrees of the institution held at Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.
Pastor Oladele described the convocation as a privilege and a testimony of God’s faithfulness, declaring, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” He noted that the founding vision of JABU was to raise a generation of men and women whose character and learning would help shape a godly and egalitarian society.
In his address, the CAC President expressed profound appreciation to the Board of Trustees, Governing Council, Management, staff, host communities and other stakeholders for their continuous work toward the growth and excellence of the university.
He commended the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ola Fakolujo, for his “exemplary and result-oriented leadership,” attributing the improved academic and infrastructural development of the institution to his commitment and diligence. He also thanked parents and guardians for their sacrifices, prayers and partnership with the institution.
Pastor Oladele congratulated the entire Class of 2025, including his Special Assistant, Pastor Tunde David Asokeji, who earned a doctorate degree in Entrepreneurship. He praised the graduands for their resilience and discipline, urging them to put God first in all decisions concerning work, marriage, investments and ministry.
“Your degree is not merely a reward for hard work but a divine responsibility to make positive impact,” he said. “Let your education be your tool of service and your faith your guiding compass. Go forth as ambassadors of truth, integrity, innovation and godly excellence.”
The Visitor congratulated the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Elder (Professor) Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), on his recent appointment as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He described the appointment as a testament to Professor Amupitan’s integrity and competence, praying that God would grant him wisdom, health, strength and courage to carry out his duties honourably.
Pastor Oladele acknowledged the donation of 25 solar streetlight panels to JABU, facilitated by Professor Danladi S. Matawal, a member of the Board of Trustees, through Professor Samson Duna, Director-General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI). He said the gesture strengthens the university’s Light Up JABU initiative and enhances energy efficiency and campus safety.
The CAC President announced that preparations are underway for the establishment of the Joseph Ayo Babalola Centre of Excellence, designed to fuse the spiritual heritage of CAC with academic and research innovation. The Centre, he noted, will serve as a hub for transformative scholarship that bridges faith and learning.
JABU conferred honorary doctorate degrees on four distinguished individuals whose achievements align with the institution’s values of Purpose, Integrity and Excellence. The awardees include:
High Chief Michael Ajayi, Sole Administrator, Nicole Luxury Hotel, Abuja
Mr. Makinde Olaolu, Deputy Director and Head of Technical Services, National Revenue Service
Mrs. Mojisola Adebisi Asieru-Sweet, General Manager, Gloworld Trading
Mr. Adewale Adegboyega, Special Adviser on Technical Matters to the Executive Chairman, National Revenue Service
Pastor Oladele emphasized that universities hold a crucial role in addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges through innovation and capacity development. He highlighted JABU’s expansion into programmes such as Cybersecurity, Data Science, Public Health and Environmental Health Science, calling for increased funding, infrastructure and equipment to strengthen these programmes.
In his concluding remarks, the Visitor urged the graduands to remain teachable, bold, diligent and committed to godly values. He warned them never to take credit for achievements that belong to God, reminding them that every good gift comes from Him.
He then pronounced blessings on the graduates, declaring that they would find favour, excel in their endeavours, enjoy divine protection, reap bountiful harvests and live in health and prosperity.
At the 16th Convocation Ceremony, the e3è graduated a total of 863 students across various departments. Of these, 722 were undergraduates and 141 were postgraduates.
A breakdown of the results shows that 57 students graduated with First Class Honours, 323 with Second Class Honours (Upper Division), 276 with Second Class Honours (Lower Division), 72 with Third Class Honours, and two with Pass.