LASU has capacity to achieve greater height, become the best in West Africa--Adeogun

The Director, Lagos State University (LASU) Sandwich Degree Programme, Prof. John Adeogun has  posited that the university has the capacity to achieve greater heights and become the best in West Africa, in not too distant a time.

He made this statement at the weekend as the 2022 Modular Examination came to an end.

Shedding more light on his affirmation, Prof. Adeogun noted that the hallmark of any great institution includes the human capacity and the ability to rise above challenges when they come.

"The examination has come and gone. We are satisfied with the whole process. Though, during one of the Computer Based Test (CBT) examination, there was a little challenge, but, we were able to rise above it and everything went fine. Some Federal Government Parastatals came to write their promotion examination at the same time our students had their own at the CBT Centre. In all, it went smoothly without hitches", he stated.

According to Prof. Adeogun, such unexpected action could have caused crisis, but, with the support of the personnel of the Directorate, the ICT and the CBT Centre, we were able to come up with plan B and it worked, saying that alone shows the University was on the right path and would surely achieve greater heights.

He thanked the Vice Chancellor, the Management, Staff of the Directorate, the supervisors, invigilators, DICT, the Quality Assurance team, the VC's Monitoring Team, the Security Personnel and the students for the support and the cooperation throughout the 5-week long examination that ended on Sunday, 1st October 2023.

Meanwhile, some of the stakeholders also spoke about the just concluded examination.

Here are their views:

Dr. Olubukola Oyediji, Quality Assurance, Faculty of Law Hall:

the examination was good, planning was okay and there was improvement than last year. I wish the Directorate all the very best in future endeavours.

Dr. John Alabi, Team Leader, 3-in-1, B wing: the examination was conducted very well as the supervisors and the invigilators were punctual. The students, too, did well. The spacing was in conformity with the standard for examination. The monitoring was thorough. In all, the examination went well.

Mrs Mary Ekundayo, Audit, Invigilator, 3-in-1, Faculty of Education: 

the examination was seamless and good. The ICT, next time, should ensure the Dockets have the pictures of the students to avoid impersonation. 

Dr. Johnson Williams, HKSHE, Team Leader, 2-in-1, Julius Berger Hall, FMS: 

the examination was well organised and kudos to the Directorate of Sandwich Degree Programme. The supervisors, the invigilators and students did well. The planning was okay. I will suggest that there should be improvement of course registration next time. Overall, the examination was conducted very well.

 

We need peace, not distractions, prepare for another election, Umenzekwe advises Atiku

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and member of APC Campaign Council for Gubernatorial Election in Bayelsa, Hon (Chief) Modestus Umenzekwe, in this Interview, said what Nigeria needs mostly now is peace which is the hallmark of development and therefore advised the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to know when to apply the break and prepare for another election.

You have continued to contribute your quota to nation building, through your public commentary, analysis and opinion.

First Chief Congratulations on your appointment as co-chairman, Contact and Mobilization sub-committee of the APC Gubernatorial Campaign Council for the forthcoming election in Bayelsa and what does that portend?

How did you come to know about it, because I never divulged that to any journalist?

Don’t worry Chief, the whole information is in the public domain, as they say, a big fish does not hide in the pot of soup

Okay, I am not denying that, it is a welcome development in the sense that it is a call to serve the nation, it is a call to serve the party, and there is no way I can say no, I will not serve because everyone of us is talking about nation-building, and Bayelsa is very very important to us; we have a very good candidate, His Excellency Timipre Marlin Sylva. He is a good party man, and a seasoned administrator; if we have him there, the face of Bayelsa will change for better. We were there on the day of inauguration of the Campaign Council presided over by our revered national chairman, former Governor of Kano State, His Excellency, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, it was a very wonderful occasion; all the party officials were there. Then the national chairman of the National Campaign Council, the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, he was equally in attendance. So we had a very good time and thorough deliberation on how to win that election in Bayelsa.

Then in Contact and Mobilization Committee, we have Uncommon Governor and Uncommon Senate President as our Chairman, and we are talking and we are strategizing, the way we are going to do it is not what I am going to discuss on the pages of newspaper, but the only thing you should know is that we are strategizing, and God willing, come November 11, 2023, the result we will hear is that Sylva has won, APC has won so that by 13^th or 14^{th February,} 2024, he will be sworn in as Governor of Bayelsa, and we hope it will work out like that.

With the whole issue pertaining to Tinubu’s certificate, going to America, Supreme Court, do you thing all these things are important or do you thing they have become distractions to both the President and the nation?

Well in as much as everybody has his right to defend whatever he feels, or to pursue whatever he feels, I think we have come to a stage in this whole wahala where we must be counting our teeth with our tongues. You and I know that this is a very serious distraction.

Whenever I talk I still refer to former President Goodluck Jonathan who advised that when you contest and lose, try to re-contest, it is not a do or die affair and when you win, try and accommodate everybody. We have a lot of problems in this country we supposed to face instead of all these Chicago, America, Supreme Court, certificate, this, that, after all, what is the minimum qualification to be president in this country? Has President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not met it? So many people are qualified to be president of this country, I wonder all this hullabaloo; you see people appearing on television, talking all sorts of things, saying all manner of things; you see, you don’t win election on pages of newspaper, you don’t win election on social media, in as much as those things help to project an individual candidate.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as I said and I am still saying, has paid his dues in politics in this country. He was at the war front, when people were hiding, and today, as God would have it, he has won, why can’t we allow him to govern us? And he said that his government is government of unity, you can see his appointments, it cut across all political parties, all geopolitical zones, and he is just coming out, there are so many appointments to be given out, you can see his policies, and he has said and admitted that we are all suffering and he is working towards ameliorating the whole situation. You can see how he has engaged the Labour, through the Minister of Labour and Employment, the former Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong. You have seen the MoU they signed in order to quench the tension, why can’t we allow the man to work? So I see these things as distraction, no matter how genuine, no matter how bad it is, it is distraction. Somebody must be there, if it is not me, it must be another person. If it is not Mr A, it must be Mr B, somebody must be the president; there can never be a vacuum.

And some of these issues coming up are issues, even though I am not a lawyer, are issues I call ancillary issues that have nothing to do with proving that Mr. A or Mr. B did not win the election. Chicago University is now a centre of attraction, everybody is writing letter and, what do people think, if I may ask? Everybody is pushing letter, making enquiry about one man. I must tell you, Asiwaju is a political colossus, he is a great man; I didn’t even know that his popularity is like this. For everybody to be making inquiry about him; I congratulate him and I see him as a great hero, may God help him to lead us well. May God help him to pilot the affairs of this country very well, may God help him to accommodate everybody, even the opposition. What we want is peace and nothing more.

Many see Atiku’s move to unseat Tinubu via the court as fighting his last battle to have his way to the presidency, is it not proper he rests this case and prepare for another election?

I won’t join people to say that it is his last battle, because I don’t know his intention, I don’t know the plan he has for future elections, whether it is his last battle or not. I don’t want to say that. In as much as Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, has served this country very well, as a Vice President, I know at the time he was in office with Obasanjo, he was described as the busiest Vice President in the whole world or in Africa, he is well known all over the world and I respect him, if he had won this election, I would still respect him. So it is his right to pursue his mandate if there was any one. But in doing that, he is an elder, as a statesman he should know when to apply break, by now I expect him to apply break, for where he is going, there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

Let me tell you, Presidential Election Petition Court is not court of general issues, the much I know, it is for a specific issue, guided by an act which is called the electoral act, and once they finish their case they stop, they go into extinction legally as stipulated by our electoral laws. They have gone to an appeal and appeal has passed judgement. You see, the issue of people filing matters in the court and coming out to coerce people, to coerce the judges, to weep up sentiments as if to say the courts don’t know what they are doing, it baffles me a lot. And that is why I thank the Chief Justice of the Federation. Recently when he was inaugurating 23 Federal High Court judges; he made it clear, that public opinions do not guide the proceedings of the court. It is a very very powerful policy statement that should come from a seasoned leader. I want to advise our people, when you file a matter in court, please calm down, allow the court to decide, unless we say we don’t want court again, then we can amend our constitution, abolish our court processes.

However I don’t blame the candidates or petitioners to some extent, because it is some of us, it is people that invested in some of these things that are pushing them. So presidential election petition court is not a court of general issue where you keep on pumping in evidence, no. I am appealing to all the stakeholders in this country including journalists, to please, we are in a very very precarious situation in this country, let us allow the Federal Government to function, let us allow the National Assembly to function, let us allow even the governors to function, the local governments, wherever they are, let us allow them to function, let us allow instituted authorities to function so that we will be able to assess them at the end of the day, to hold them accountable at the end of the day. With all these distractions you cannot check them, you cannot assess them. So my advice and appeal is, let every Nigerian calm down and allow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to finish his tenure, in the next four years, we are going to have another election, I can contest, you can contest, any of them can contest, if he wins you, fine, but now that we are at the Supreme Court, let us allow the Supreme Court to decide. I belong to a Whatsapp group and they keep analyzing what the judges would say, each time they keep doing the same thing and at a stage, I got tired and I left the group because the objective of that group was not being met. And I see this thing as a slap on the judiciary. I am calling on the Judiciary, I am calling on the National Assembly to please, take steps to correct these things; our judges are being harassed on the pages of newspapers, Whatsapp groups and all the rest, they are being harassed unnecessarily, allow them to do their job. Good a thing, we have magistrate courts, high courts, appeal courts and the Supreme Court, God created us to live freely, when we err he doesn’t kill us; then why must we go to this extent? So my appeal is that we should know that that is a court of a specific issue, not general court, and I don’t see the Supreme Court accepting new evidence which will not be even sustained. The Chicago university admitted that Tinubu was their student, graduated from there, then how come all these allegations here and there? Who will be there and there will be peace? I want to know, who will be at Aso Rock and there will be peace? I tire oo.

I forgot, I listened to the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, calling on Peter Ob, Kwankwaso, all political leaders to join him. Is it to join him to fight at the Supreme Court or join him to merge their votes with his? He said he won the election, Labour Party said they won the election, and now he is calling them, is he calling them to abandon their case, is he calling Labour Party to abandon her case or what? He even invited the spirit of the late legal sage, Gani Fawehinmi, to come and help, all these are nothing but distractions.

However, I must commend the Labour Party, I was listening to the Radio this morning and I heard that the Labour Party maintained that they are at the Supreme Court, so they are distancing themselves from that call, and I want to commend them for doing that. And that is why Peter Obi is different in this pursuit, he is pursuing his mandate within the legal framework, he is not into this Chicago this, Chicago that. However, it is good as Waziri Adamawa said that he will stop at the Supreme Court. If he wins, he will go and rest; if Tinubu wins he will go and rest, and  I want him to keep his promise and drop all these Chicago this, Chicago that, all those issues that are neither here, nor there. These issues are dead on arrival, as far as I know as a lay man, it is not within the legal framework of the presidential election petition court, the much I have read, the much I have known. So let us allow peace to reign.

There will be off season elections in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi and in 2024, Edo will follow suit, so don’t you think that the hullabaloo generated by the 2023 election will dampen the interest of the electorate and perhaps enthrone unpopular candidates?

That is why I said from the beginning; let us reduce the number of court cases; they are turning Nigeria to a place where elections are won in the court, they are turning Nigeria to a place where they are making the electorate feel unsafe to come out and vote because if after voting and INEC declares result, and they go to court, then it is better you go to court from day one, contest there and win there, do your vote there. However these things are deepening our democracy, one way or the other, because it is making us to learn, myself I have learnt a lot from February 25^th election till now. If I am going to get involved in any elective position, I now know what to do, the dos and don’ts. But then our judges are being over-stressed, our security agencies are being over-stretched. However, I believe that voter education is deepening, electorates are coming out to vote, so all these hullabaloo as you say will not cause problem, people will come out and vote. Like I told you, we were in Bayelsa, you need to see the mobilization; you need to see the number of Bayelsans that trooped out under heavy rain to hail our candidate, Sylva. So it is very encouraging. Am I talking about Imo State, Governor Uzodimma has done so very well, he is blazing the trail on daily basis, you can see the support. In the last election you can see how APC in Imo took over everywhere, the same thing in Kogi, and in 2024 the same thing will happen in Edo, Edo has been an APC state, and it will return to APC, and with the type of President we have, who knows how to organize a party, who knows how to nurture a party, and the type of party Chairman we have, everybody is beginning to come together more than before, and I want to tell you, in those states, APC will spring more surprises as they have been doing.

Another issue that appears to be a distraction to the polity is the incessant threat by labour to go on strike. Chief I want you to advise labour on how to go about this issue of their welfare.

I have advised them before and I am advising them again, and I am happy with labour, they are closing ranks with the Federal Government. You can see that the last proposed strike was shelved off, so I believe between now and month end things will change for better. The labour is complying, their leaders, Ajaero and Osifo, they are doing a good job. You know it is not easy; they are leading some people, but I am glad that they are listening to the federal government. You know this is a new cabinet and Lalong is trying, remember that President said the era of incessant strikes has gone, and I don’t know Tinubu as someone that reneges on his promises, he has never reneged on his promises; but then labour should know that this is a new government, and I want to commend them, they are complying, there is peace, and I want to assure you that God willing, there won’t be any strike.

 The suffering in the land has continued, especially among the downtrodden, what is that thing, if you were asked to say, you feel the president can do to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses?

You see, this question has come up several times, the president is already tackling those issues, there are so many palliative measures he has brought out, and I think we should give him time for those things to get to the people; that is much I can tell you, yes, he has a lot and they are already being pushed out, but it takes time, because you have to document them, profile them, otherwise the bad eggs, hoodlums will hijack those palliatives. So I am still appealing to people to calm down, it is coming and he will deliver. I have no doubt about his ability to quench this hardship. But he is not God, it is only God that can wipe out hardship totally, he is not a magician, I know he would work within the framework of the available resources. Tinubu is not known to be a person that starves his people all through his life. So he is generous as a person, and I know that he would be generous as a president.

If there is something I missed, you can say it now

No, it is still prayer, I pray for peace in the land, I pray for progress, I pray for the new government to live up to expectation, I pray for the life of the president, and his workers, the federal executive council, the national economic council, the national assembly, and various agencies of government, may God give them health, because health is wealth, and wisdom to pilot the affairs of this country.

 

We are law-abiding citizens in Lagos State, says Jude Nwankwo, LACEC President …Calls on Ladipo traders to remain calm

President of Ladipo Auto Central Executive Committee (LACEC), Mr Jude Chikere Nwankwo, has stated that Ladipo traders are law-abiding citizens, even as he also calls on the traders to remain calm over the closure of their market.

Nwankwo in a telephone conversation with our correspondent disclosed that LACEC is leaving no stone unturned in order to ensure that the market is opened without further delay.

He said that the market has met almost all the conditions required for the market to be opened by the Lagos State Government.

Nwankwo advised Ladipo business community to remain patient and law abiding, assuring them that the market will be opened before the week runs out.

He said “My advice to Ladipo business community is for them to remain patient and law abiding, when you are dealing with government you should be patient, before this week runs out, the market will be opened by the grace of God.

He also encouraged them to ensure the market is kept clean always. “Beside, when they open the market, they should endeavour to keep the market clean, at least if the environment is clean, it will enable more customers to come and patronize them. We are law-abiding citizens in Lagos State,” Nwankwo stated.

Assuring the traders of the commitment and steadfastness of the central executive to ensure the market is opened Nwankwo disclosed that out of the N17million demanded to be paid by the market, the sum of N16.5millon has been paid.

He pleaded with the Lagos State Government to open the market as the traders are bread winners to thousands of families, adding that this period is a new academic session, many of the traders have children who could not go back to school as a result of the ripple effect of locking of the market.

Recall that the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) has recently sealed Ladipo Auto Market over environmental infractions which included double parking of vehicles, dirty environment and unpaid LAWMA bills.

 

 

Prof Olatunji-Bello, eulogizes Lagos, describes it as commercial & cultural capital of Nigeria, becomes Grand Commander of GNS

The Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olaunji-Bello, has eulogized Lagos State, describing it as a commercial and cultural capital of Nigeria.

Professor Olatunji-Bello made her mind known at an event organized by the Centre for General Studies (CGNS) Lagos State University, which took place at Buba Marwa Auditorium of the institution on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

Prof Olatunji Bello said “Lagos is a unique state, a state of aquatic splendor, a home to over 20 million Nigerians, rich in culture and tradition, blessed with natural resources and vibrant people, rich festivals, beautiful language, the commercial and cultural capital of Nigeria, where you have a conglomeration of all the ethnic groups in Nigeria and the whole world leaving peacefully, doing their businesses and achieving their potential to the overall benefit of the country.”

The event which has the theme ‘Lagos Today, Lagos Tomorrow’ was also designed to honour the Vice Chancellor with the unique title of Grand Commander of General Nigerian Studies.

The Vice Chancellor in her address said the event was meant to celebrate the cultural heritage of Lagos, Lagosians and Nigeria as a whole. “This is a unique programme organized by a unique centre in a unique university. Today is a day set aside to celebrate the cultural heritage of Lagos, Lagosians and Nigeria as a whole.”

Prof Olatunji-Bello stated that as an institution it is a duty to teach, promote and celebrate the cultural heritage of Lagos “As an institution we owe it a duty to teach, promote and celebrate the cultural heritage of Lagos, its people and history so that we can value what we have and set a path for our young ones, some of them are here today, to follow suit so that our cultural heritage can be preserved for generations to come.

“By organizing a programme like his we are honoring the past, celebrating the present and shaping the future of this vibrant city,” the Vice Chancellor stated.

The Vice Chancellor also lent her voice to the call for a special status for Lagos State, acknowledging the peculiarity and uniqueness of state.

She also told the audience that she whole-heartedly accepted her investiture as the Grand Commander of General Nigerian Studies. “I have also been informed of my investiture as the Grand Commander General Nigerian Studies. With all sense of humility and responsibility I accept the honour. I express my deepest gratitude for the honour.

“I want to sincerely appreciate the centre under the able leadership of Professor MOB Mohammed for honouring me today, and organising such a wonderful event to display the rich heritage of ours,” she stated.

She disclosed that the Centre for GNS is one that is dear to her heart and which has been making the institution very proud. “We must appreciate the effort of the current director, and all his predecessors,” she said.

Royal Father of the day was HRM Oba (Dr) Sulaimon Adeshina Raji-Ashade the First, Oniba of Iba land.

 

Kenya: 'Pride of Africa', hungry, thirsty for Evelyn Joshua's SCOAN Crusade

By Dare Adejumo: 

Like the first rain of the year that usually brings joy and jubilation after a long crunch of hash heat and drought, so it's in Kenya today with the confirmation that Pastor Evelyn Joshua is holding a two- day crusade between 13th and 14th of this month in Nairobi, the nation's capital.

In an unprecedented enthusiasm, people are already trooping to Nairobi from neighbouring countries of Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and even far away South Africa several days ahead of the event and yet with a lot of more overwhelming interests of people outside the continent indicating to attend because of its significance. 

The Kenyans are particularly overexcited that the East African country known for being the world's best Safari destination with 50 epic national parks is lucky to be counted worthy of the event they have been looking forward to for several years.

"It's an answered prayer for this crusade to hold in Kenya because we have been longing and praying for it without ceasing and God has finally answered us after all these years! This is God's time for us in this country and as we have come to know that God's time is always the best" said Kenneth Kimoni, a Kenyan thriving Pentecostal pastor in Nairobi. 

"This is going to bring healing, deliverance and great turn around to our country with the anointed woman of God Pastor Evelyn Joshua coming for this crusade. It's a great opportunity for this to happen in our country because it's the dawn of a new era that will put an end to all evil yokes and covenants of darkness against our land" joyfully enthused by Israel Frank Mutembei, a Kenya businessman, adding that "this crusade Will bring revival to our country, economically, politically and in all facets of our national life for the emergence of a glorious nation here springing from Kenya to other countries".

To Susan Busangabanye, a 48 year old Chartered Accountant: "this is a great event for anyone that's spiritually awake not to miss. Without seeing the man of God Prophet TBJoshua while he was alive and without seeing the woman of God Pastor Evelyn Joshua I received an incomprehensible touch of God power on Emmanuel TV from which my life has been transformed. I have to abandon my work to be here today to register for the crusade. It's a new dawn in my life and family, I am grateful to God".

Attendance of crusade is free and will be holding at Kasarani MOI International Stadium, Nairobi, the largest sports centre in the country. The state has also kindly permitted the use of Kenyatta International Conference Centre KICC, a monumental edifice of architectonic elegance and ingenuity, almost the best in Africa and pride of Kenyans to be used for the registration especially for people of various health challenges where they are being openly screened along with their medical reports.

Peter Mbwika Alusa and his wife Faith and three children were not left behind as they had arrived at KICC by 7.00amTuesday ahead of 10:00am when registration was to start. "By the time we got here we already met a lot of people here for the same purpose" he said, adding that "this is a serious matter". His wife further stated that they had to come very early so that they would not miss the crusade so that they could register early before the venue is overwhelmed by the crowd especially with their children because people all over Kenya would be coming. "We know what God is about to do in our country and we are very grateful to God and pray for God's continued grace and strength for Pastor Evelyn Joshua" she further stated.

To Hannah Njoki, a building material entrepreneur: "I love TBJOSHUA. He was the one who transformed my Christian life from delusion to reality. Through him I came to know Jesus Christ experientially that He is alive. This crusade shall be an additional grace of God's love for my life".

Mrs Judith Nabwire Wafula is of opinion that with the crusade coming, "revival has started in my life and our country. It's by God's grace I know this" 

Mrs Josephine Mbithi, a minister stated: "I am very excited to be here and the grace God has given to me to witness the coming crusade. I have seen the light and I can't but be part of the light. May God be praised for bringing this blessing to Kenya. We also thank God for the life of Pastor Evelyn Joshua ".

The economic imperatives of the crusade to the nation of Kenya cannot be downplayed. The hospitality industries are receiving a big boost. Some front lining hotels visited, such as Pride-Inn Hotel, Serena, Safari Park, Stanley Sarova, Panagric, Kempinski, Tribe, and Ibis for instance are already smiling of good business. In fact Ibis is already overbooked while others are also getting bookings weeks to the event.

But why the choice of Kenya at this point in time by the SCOAN?

Pastor Evelyn Joshua, the leader of SCOAN and the crusade has this to say:

"The two-day crusade in Kenya is holding in furtherance of God's will for this Commission and mankind; for the salvation of souls and fulfilled destinies. We are also undertaking charity programme as part of our mission. This is by God's instruction in His grace, mercy and favour that the nation of Kenya should partake in the blessings associated with this divine assignment".

Clearly a great event is about taking place in Kenya. It's going to be a turning point. The nation is already bubbling and daily getting more electrified for the crusade. SCOAN and the life of Evelyn Joshua have demonstrated one axiomatic spiritual truth that "the mills of God" in the words of that great biblical hero, prophet Isaiah, "grind slowly but they grind exceedingly fine".

 

I wanted my son to study Medicine but he chose Priesthood, says Ezinna Mike Onyele

Sunday, September 24^th, 2023, was the Ordination Thanksgiving Mass of Reverend Callistus Ifeanyi Onyele; it was his first mass after his ordination on Thursday, September 21^st, 2023.

Of course, the crème de la crème in both Catholic churches of Osina Town where the young priest hailed from and St Mary’s Catholic Parish Isolo where he worships; attended the thanksgiving in their numbers.

However, the highpoint of the Thanksgiving ceremony was the donation of a brand new jeep to the Reverend, by St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Isolo, this was to enable him move around in his work of evangelism. No wonder Father Callistus dropped tears of joy as he was handed key and documents of the vehicle.

Ezinna Mike Onyele while narrating how it all started revealed to the media, that his desire was to see his son study Medicine, but he rather made up his mind to train as a priest. “First of all, I thank the almighty God, because it all started like a joke. I am happy and members of my entire family are happy and I have seen how happy the entire community of St Mary’s Isolo, and St Mary’s Osina are; and Osina in general, they are all here today. If you can read the mind of people, read the minds of the people here, that is exactly how my mind is as well. I am elated, I am over joyed by what I am seeing today, because when this whole thing started, I didn’t know it would come to pass, but since Thursday when he was ordained, that summarized the success story, so I thank God almighty, I also thank my beloved people, the people of Osina, brothers, friends and well -wishers, all those that attended this Thanksgiving today, I  appreciate all of you, and my prayer is for God to also bless them in Jesus name.”

Ezinna Onyele also advised parents not to pressurize their children to become priest, and he gave his reasons. “They should not be pressurized. I am saying it because of how my son started his journey to priesthood. When I sent him to a mission school in Osun State, it was for him to be inculcated with Christian life, to know God so that when he comes out he would live in fear and respect of God.  I was too surprised when he came back after secondary school, I asked him to go and buy JAMB form, each time I said that he would not act upon what said.

“One thing about this my son is that he is exceptionally intelligent academically so much so that when he was in primary school, he was made to jump classes several times by his teachers. When he finished secondary school he came out with very good result. So my wife and I have concluded that he should go and study Medicine, but he was reluctant. He told us at a point that he wants to continue with missionary school, I said when did you discuss that? He said he has decided. I asked him if he was being forced by anybody anywhere, he responded no, I said okay, since nobody forced you and you made the decision by yourself, I cannot be obstacle between you and God, so go ahead.

“That is why when I started talking I said; it was just like a joke, but today he has succeeded, so he made the choice by himself. Therefore, what I am saying in effect is, if you ask your child to go for priesthood, if he says no, leave him, because there is nothing better than a decision you take by yourself than when you are forced. It is even worse because he may go there and because it is not his decision, he may commit one crime or the other and he would be expelled which might even bring disgrace to the family. So it is better he didn’t make attempt than stopping midway,” Ezinna Onyele advised.

He prayed for his son. “My prayer for my son is for God, who made today possible, people have testified of his integrity, humility and resourcefulness, I pray that God will assist him, show him the way. God that made it possible for him to be ordained a priest, He will also support him, guide him to realize all his heart’s desire. My prayer is that God will guide and protect him always, be in his front and at his back, since he has decided to win souls for Christ, God will help him in order to realize this objective in the Lord’s vineyard, in Jesus name, amen.”

Ezinne Eucharia Nkiruka Onyele is the mother of the ordained priest, in confirming what her husband said earlier, added that God does what is impossible with man. She said she sent her son, Callistus to school to be trained in humility and Christian life at Our Lady of Fatima, Osun State, a mission school, but he chose to be a priest. “My joy is that since he started school he has never been sent home for indiscipline rather he won laurels and he was always made the prefect.  When he completed his secondary education I asked him to buy JAMB form and apply to UNILAG for Medicine, but he declined. It was at this point he opened up that he wanted to be a priest. At a point I reminded him that priests don’t get married, they don’t have share in the father’s inheritance, he said he knows and that is it. He bought the form by himself and showed us his admission letter. What later encouraged us is that his results were always very very excellent. Based on his choice we started praying and he would always ask us to put him in prayers. And on 21^st of September he was ordained a Reverend Father alongside other 10 priests by the Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Most Reverend (Dr) Alfred Adewale Martins. I know since I born him he is a different person entirely.”

She prayed for his son “My prayer for him is for God to give him encouragement, give him wisdom and knowledge, since it is God’s desire that he would be a Priest, God will be with him so that he will not be corrupted by anybody because he has decided to follow God in truth and spirit.”

 

40 Nigerians bag distinction from Nexford University

Forty Nigerians have graduated with distinction from Nexford University (NXU), a next-generation online university based in Washington DC, America.

This was disclosed by Nexford’s Community Development Manager, Sally Okogho,  at the 2023 graduation event of the university which witnessed master classes, a career fair with Nigeria’s leading companies, a start-up demo and an exhibition in Lagos State.

This is as the university awarded five outstanding Nigerian students found worthy in academics and character.

Among the 40 distinction students, James Ogo-Oluwa Osinowo was awarded as the Valedictorian of the Year for Class 2023.

Others awarded were Adeshile Oluwabusayo who emerged as the Best Peer Mentor for BBA (Undergraduate Degree) and Monsuru Adebayo Popoola, Best Peer Mentor MBA (Graduate Degree).

While Daniel Oreofe was also awarded the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Sonter Samuel James emerged as the Outstanding Brand Ambassador.

Speaking at the ceremony held on Saturday at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Fadl Al Tarzi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NXU, described Nigerians as resilient.

He said that the institution is very proud of Nigerian learners, adding that students from the country valued education which has distinguished and placed them higher across the world.

Nexford CEO said, “Nigerians in the United States are, on average, twice as educated as the average American. It is time for you to ascend to leadership, redefine perceptions, and engrave your marks on societies, whether here in Nigeria or beyond your borders.

“If your journey takes you to foreign lands, remember, you are the architects of perceptions, the ambassadors of our values. Make those lands realise the privilege of hosting Nigerian talent. Showcase your superior skills and let the world witness the value you add, and the legacy you create.”

 

Tonye Cole, Co-founder/former Group Executive Director, Sahara Group, in his keynote address, urged the graduates to be prepared for challenges as they move to the next phase of life.

He said, “Do not be afraid to fail, even when you do, start again, try again and retrace your steps and be courageous for every success story has stories to tell.

“You have to decide on your own but you must seek wisdom to guide your steps, this is key because it is what you need to navigate the world and keep your eyes on your goal.”

Speaking, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, said academic institutions like Nexford would help Nigeria fix human capital deficiencies.

Ezekwesili, a board member of NXU, noted that the university is one of the global institutions that have visibly given the skills that are necessary for the 21st century.

“If we increase our Gross Domestic Product and we spread the sources of our GDP, what we will have is inclusive prosperity, so we must have graduates of this kind from as many institutions as possible,” she noted.

The valedictorian, James Ogo-Oluwa Osinowo, in his speech, narrated how Nexford University inculcated resilience, teamwork and perseverance in the learners.

He also noted that the university exposed students to “possibilities and opportunities”.

Osinowo said, “Immediately I completed my MBA in January 2023, the following month saw me receive an offer for the role of Group Finance Manager! And it’s just the beginning. One of the important lessons we’ve learned during our time here is the power of resilience. We’ve faced demanding assignments and tests, gruelling projects and sleepless nights, yet we persevered.”

During the start-up pitches and exhibition, seasoned experts like Iyin Aboyeji of Future Africa, and Napa Onwusah, Leader for AWS Startups in Africa among others tutored the graduates.

The master class sessions centred on building and scaling a startup, designing a fulfilling career, becoming globally relevant, sales skills for founders and succeeding in a remote job environment.