Shun Quick Wealth, Uphold Christian Values, Adeboye Tells Graduands

By Tosin Olasunkanmi, Osogbo

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has cautioned university graduands against the pursuit of quick wealth, urging them to uphold Christian values and shun fraudulent and ungodly practices.

Adeboye gave the charge at the 18th Convocation Ceremony of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, where 2,471 students received degrees and diplomas on Friday.

Represented by the Chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees, Pastor Olukayode Pitan, the RCCG leader also urged parents and guardians to intensify their prayers and guide their children against the dangers of seeking success through dishonest means.

Citing 1 Timothy 6:9, he warned that an excessive desire for riches could expose young people to temptation and destructive choices.

He stressed that university education should go beyond the acquisition of certificates, noting that graduates must deploy their knowledge and skills to serve God, humanity and the nation.

“As Christ’s ambassadors, you are called to be light wherever you find yourselves,” he said.

“True success is also reflected in the lives you touch, the problems you solve, the values you uphold, and the positive difference you make in your community and nation.”

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, urged the graduands to entrust their future to God and allow Him to direct their paths as they begin a new phase of their lives.

He encouraged them to remain faithful to their Christian identity, stressing that divine guidance would help them navigate challenges and discover their purpose.

“Just submit yourself to God and allow Him to tailor and guide your life and your path, and I can tell you, you are in for great things,” Akindele said.

He added that the graduands should remain conscious of their responsibility as Christ’s ambassadors wherever they found themselves.

“You are Christ’s ambassador. Have that consciousness within you anywhere you find yourself, that you are an ambassador of Christ,” he said.

Giving a breakdown of the graduating class, Akindele disclosed that the university produced 2,009 undergraduate graduands, 441 postgraduate graduands and 21 diploma recipients.

He said 213 undergraduates graduated with First Class honours, while 988 obtained Second Class Upper Division degrees. Another 668 earned Second Class Lower Division degrees, 129 graduated with Third Class degrees and 11 obtained Pass degrees.

The Vice-Chancellor also announced that the institution recorded its highest number of doctoral graduands to date, with 52 students earning PhDs.

He added that four graduands obtained Master of Philosophy degrees, while 302 received master’s degrees and 83 earned postgraduate diplomas.

Akindele further disclosed that the university appointed 20 additional professors during the period under review, describing the development as the highest number of professorial appointments recorded within a single period in the institution’s history.

The guest speaker, Sir Samson Oyewale Ariyibi, urged the graduands to embrace continuous learning, cultivate meaningful relationships and build legacies that would endure beyond their lifetimes.

A chartered accountant who studied Microbiology, Ariyibi emphasised the importance of updating professional knowledge and adapting to changing demands in an increasingly competitive world.

“Never stop learning, always learn because learning is a continuous process,” he said.

He also challenged the graduands to look beyond immediate achievements and focus on creating lasting value for society.

“Build something that will outlast you. Make sure that you don’t think of only today. Think of tomorrow. Think of things that will outlast you,” he advised.

Ariyibi further cautioned against greed, urging the graduands to practise contentment, work diligently and maintain their faith in God.

The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, represented by the commission’s Deputy Director, Dr Mrs Awoteju Ogun, commended Redeemer’s University for its contributions to the Nigerian university system.

He urged the graduands to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the university to solving societal problems and advancing national development.

“The true measure of a university is not only in the degrees it awards, but the quality of its graduates, the relevance of its programmes, the strength of its research, the innovation it fosters, and the impact it makes on society,” Ribadu said.

He also challenged postgraduate graduands to translate their research findings into practical solutions to national challenges.

The NUC executive secretary encouraged undergraduate graduands to embrace lifelong learning, digital competence, creativity and adaptability, stressing that Nigeria needed graduates capable of responding effectively to the demands of a changing world.

“The future of Nigeria requires graduates who can think deeply, work collaboratively, innovate responsibly, and lead with character,” he added.

The outgoing Pro-Chancellor of the university, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, described the convocation as a season of harvest, expressing delight that another set of students had completed their studies and were prepared to contribute to society.

He congratulated the graduands and their parents, praying that the sacrifices made towards their education would yield lasting benefits.

“Today is a day of joy, a day of celebration, because this is the season of harvesting in the university,” Ogundipe said.

He added, “Your labour on these children shall yield fruits, and today it is yielding fruits. You will not have cause to regret over them in Jesus’ name.”

Two First Class graduands, Ogheneovo Erosuo Hope and Chimkwesiri T. Iwuchukwu, attributed their academic achievements to hard work, determination and discipline.

Hope expressed delight at the achievement, saying the result of the effort invested in her studies had made the occasion particularly fulfilling.

“My labour was not in vain. I’m so happy for achieving this goal,” she said.

She disclosed plans to pursue a master’s degree and use her education to make a positive impact on society. She also advised students to remain focused and work diligently towards their academic goals.

Iwuchukwu urged undergraduates to attend lectures regularly, remain disciplined and make the necessary sacrifices to achieve academic excellence.

“Don’t joke with your class attendance. When the lecturer is teaching in class, focus on the class,” she said.

She added that students aspiring to graduate with First Class honours must go beyond meeting minimum academic requirements and maintain discipline throughout their studies.