By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State on Wednesday celebrated its 15th Convocation Ceremony, where 1,924 graduates were awarded degrees, with 96 achieving First Class honors.

Also, 719 students graduated with Second Class (Upper Division), 728 with Second Class (Lower Division) while 82 students graduated with Third Class.

The ceremony, which highlighted the university’s commitment to academic excellence, marked a significant milestone for the institution and featured conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degree on Pastor Mrs. Foluke Adeboye.

In his address at the Convocation ceremony, the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lekan Asikhia said the institution’s our unwavering commitment to Christian principles
has shaped its distinctive culture

He said, “at Caleb University, our unwavering commitment to Christian principles, harmoniously blended with our enduring mantra of character in leadership, has shaped a distinctive culture that defines who we are”.

“This core orientation has consistently produced graduates who are not only intellectually sound, but also morally
grounded true exemplars of character and learning. The
testimonials we receive from employers, partners, and the wider
society are deeply heartening”.

“Across the globe, our alumni
continue to project and promote the Caleb brand, reflecting the depth and quality of the investment made in them by our dedicated faculty and the University community. Our serene and aesthetically inspiring campus, steadily enhanced by modern infrastructure, innovation, and forward-looking academic programmes, remains a conducive environment for scholarship and holistic development. Our growth trajectory aligns with both national benchmarks and global standards, ensuring that our graduates remain competitive and relevant”, the VC said.

Prof. Asikhia added that all undergraduate programmes of the
University are fully accredited by the National Universities
Commission.

“We have also strengthened our portfolio of strategic partnerships with reputable institutions and professional bodies, while maintaining a productive and cordial relationship with regulatory agencies”.

Admonishing the graduands, Prof. Asikhia said, “you have worked diligently and smartly to earn this distinction. As you step forward, you are prepared to take on the world-equipped with knowledge, character, and purpose. Go forth and fulfill your dreams”.

Delivering the Convocation lecture,
the General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Reverend Sam Aboyeji charged the graduates to consciously unlock and deploy their God-given potentials for global relevance.

In the lecture titled, “Positioning your God-Given Potentials for Global Impact”, Rev. Aboyeji said
every individual is endowed with extraordinary capacities meant to be discovered, developed and strategically positioned for the benefit of humanity.

Drawing from faith, science and leadership insights, he noted that potential represents the capacity to become everything one is capable of becoming.

He admonished the graduands that beyond academic certificates, their upbringing, faith, values, networks, skills and life experiences constitute “talents” entrusted to them, emphasizing that God rewards faithful deployment and multiplication of abilities, not mere possession.

He said, “the tragedy of life is not lack of opportunity, but misplaced or unused potentials. Every human being is born with potentials. Sadly, not all are opportune to fulfill theirs. Potential is your capacity to become everything you are capable of becoming” he said.

He noted that attaining degrees is not the finished lines, but a starting point to learn more, encouraging the graduands to embrace continuous learning while also tasking them to take advantage of digital driven world.

According to him “global relevance depends largely on a mindset of lifelong learning, adaptability and competence, regardless of one’s field of study. I charge you to consider your degrees, your exposures, and your experiences so far in life as talents. Also, your upbringing, faith, education, and networks are talents. The tragedy of life is not the lack of opportunity, but misplaced or unused potentials”.

“The journey to positioning your potentials for global impact has just started with this degree in your hand. Irrespective of your field of study. I encourage you to use the enormous resources on the internet, especially in this era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), to further develop yourself. Being digital is a life journey of continuous learning. Your global relevance and impact largely depend on it”

Aboyeji also make an appeal for deliberate grooming of girl child’s potentials for global influence, lamenting on what he described as outdated stereotypes that reduced women to domestic roles.

He referenced Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, as evidence that Nigerian women can excel on the world stage.

He also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider more inclusive intervention policies to private universities by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), especially in areas that enhance safety and quality education for the girl child.

He urged the graduands not to despise humble beginnings but to pursue excellence consistently, think beyond borders and become solution providers in a world in search.