By Emmanuel Edukugho
Lead City University (LCU) Ibadan, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Johnson Bandele Aladekomo has reminded new graduates at the 3rd convocation ceremonies of the institution to bear in mind that they constitute a mirror through which the university can be assessed.

He charged them: “You must therefore abstain from the pollutants of our country such as bribery, corruption, internet fraud, stealing and vices of various kinds. We look up to you to cleave to those things that will promote the progress and development of the country.”

Such things were identified by the LCU helmsman as hardwork, diligence, honesty, charity, self-discipline etc, saying, “ you and the graduates of our other sister universities are suitably equipped to build a new Nigeria.”

Leads students

He recalled that the older universities of Europe which serve as models for the existing universities in Nigeria have established a formidable tradition of the pursuit of knowledge and seeking after the truth in excellence.

The autonomy they possess to teach and conduct research has expanded and continued to expand the frontiers of knowledge. “In this, they have succeeded admirably,” he attested.

According to the vice-chancellor, the key words behind their achievements are autonomy to carry out academic work and excellence.

“Those achievements have motivated Lead City University to advocate autonomy and strive for excellence in all her operations.”

The university held its 3rd convocation ceremonies on two days with the grand finale last Thursday looking like a festival in a campus that has become a landmark adorning the city of Ibadan with branded blue roofs of the buildings.

As noted, the increase in the surface area of the blue roof at the gate of Ibadan city, the intellectual capital of this nation, “is a clear evidence of increased academic content that is housed under these new buildings.” Graduands in the Faculty of Social Science and Entrepreneurial Studies and Faculty of Law received their degrees on Wednesday while graduands of other faculties got theirs on Thursday.

About sixteen obtained First Class while the Post-graduate School produced eight graduands — Doctor of Business Administration (1); Ph.D Mass Communication (1); Ph.D Business Administration (5); and Ph.D. Economics (1).

The Vice-Chancellor, in his address, said the purpose of this happy gathering of members of the academic community and distinguished visitors is to celebrate the release of the third set of “Enterprise Graduates” into the public domain by Lead City University.

He pointed to the structures and facilities put in place by the proprietors and the good academic work being carried out by staff and which have been attractive to the public.

“This has led to increase in student enrolment, hence, it was decided that degree conferment for graduands be held on two days because of increasing numbers.”

After disclosing the result of the countrywide comprehensive accreditation visitation exercise conducted in December 2009 by NUC in which all the programmes presented received full accreditation except one, he said “the validity of the accreditation lasts till the year 2014.”

Turning to the young graduands, Aladekomo told them: “A lot has been invested in you by your parents on one part and by the university on the other. The university has put you through sound degree programmes.

In addition, you have all been encouraged and supported to acquire professional skills and certification in areas outside your degree syllabuses.”