Redeemer’s University Rewards 98 Staff, Students for Outstanding Performance

By Tosin Olasunkanmi, Osogbo

No fewer than 98 staff and students of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, have been recognised for excellence, innovation and years of dedicated service to the institution.

The awardees were honoured on Tuesday during the university’s 20th Award and Recognition Day, held at the institution’s auditorium as part of activities marking its 18th convocation ceremony.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, said the awards were instituted to appreciate outstanding members of the university community and encourage them to strive for greater achievements.

“We always want to reward excellence so as to encourage others to also put in more. To the glory of God, there are awardees today, for example, among our students. When a person receives a Gold Medal Award, that person is placed on a 100 per cent tuition scholarship in the following session,” he said.

Akindele explained that students in the Silver category would receive a 75 per cent tuition discount, while Bronze Award recipients would enjoy a 50 per cent tuition discount.

He added that the university had also created different award categories for staff, including researchers and non-teaching personnel, in recognition of their contributions to the growth and development of the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor urged the award recipients not to regard the recognition as the end of their journey, but as motivation to achieve greater things.

“My message to the staff and students is that the awardees of today shouldn’t see this as an end in itself. Rather, they should see it as something to motivate them to still do more,” he stated.

He also encouraged those who did not receive awards to remain committed to their studies and responsibilities, assuring them that their time for recognition could come if they continued to put in their best.

The Chairman of the occasion and Chief Executive Officer of Topsteel Nigeria Limited, Mr Tope Adekomi, expressed appreciation to the university management for the honour, describing the recognition as a responsibility to contribute more to society.

“I sincerely appreciate the management of Redeemer’s University for this honour and recognition. I receive this with humility and, more importantly, with a deep sense of responsibility,” Adekomi said.

He said his experience as an entrepreneur had taught him that success was not achieved overnight, but built through vision, hard work, sacrifice, perseverance and faith.

“Every entrepreneur encounters challenges. But challenges should not stop us; they should challenge us to think differently, find solutions and keep moving forward,” he said.

Adekomi stressed the importance of industrialisation, enterprise development and job creation, noting that the private sector had an important role to play in creating opportunities for Nigerians.

According to him, Nigeria’s young population possesses enormous potential but requires opportunities to work, learn, innovate and build.

He urged governments at all levels to create an enabling environment where businesses and citizens could thrive, stressing the need for competence, professionalism, integrity and effective governance.

Addressing young people, Adekomi urged them not to wait for opportunities but to create them by identifying problems and developing solutions.

“To the young people here today, I have one simple message: do not wait for opportunity; create it. Create it wherever you are. Create it from your local government, from your state, and in the nation,” he stated.

He also called for stronger collaboration between Redeemer’s University and Topsteel Nigeria Limited in areas including internships, industrial training, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development.

Adekomi said stronger collaboration between academia and industry could help transform ideas into practical solutions, businesses and job opportunities.

One of the award recipients, Mrs Funmilola Ayeni, a Principal Accountant in the university’s Bursary Department, expressed excitement after being honoured for 10 years of service to the institution.

Ayeni, who joined Redeemer’s University on June 13, 2016, described the recognition as a memorable moment in her career.

“I feel so excited. It’s just as if it’s a dream. Within the twinkling of an eye, it’s 10 years already, just like that. I feel so excited and I thank God,” she said.

She urged other members of staff to remain committed and diligent in the discharge of their responsibilities.

“Other workers, they need to work harder, do their best and do their job as if they are working for the Lord, because God is the one that rewards anyone that works diligently,” Ayeni said.

She also encouraged students to study diligently, trust in God and strive for excellence, noting that the university was preparing them to become useful members of society.

“Our students should keep at their work, study hard, study diligently, trust God and also excel. They should allow the university to pass through them because the university is building them up to be great patriots of the university and also for the nation as a whole,” she said.

The awards covered several categories, including Outstanding Technology Innovation, BIT Scholars, 20-Year and 10-Year Long Service Awards, Junior Staff, Administrative Staff and Technical Staff categories.

Student awardees were drawn from the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Built Environment Studies, Computing and Digital Technologies, Engineering and Technology, Humanities, Law, Management Sciences, Natural Resources and Social Sciences.