What a better way of entering the New Year”, was the declaration of a guest last Saturday as the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), launched into 2011 with celebration of Excellence at a Special function tagged “Night of Excellence”.
As early as 3:30 p.m, the venue of the event, the sprawling Jubilee Multipurpose Hall, Bishop’s Court,
Onikolobo, Abeokuta, had been filled to the brim for a function slated for 5:00p.m.
In attendance were the celebrants and honorees of the day, UNAAB’s 1st Class Graduates and students as well as staffers, some of whom were honoured with Productivity Awards.
They were led to the occasion by the duo of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Chief Olakunle Osayemi and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun.
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, was among dignitaries that graced the occasion while a veteran Journalist and Chairman, Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspapers, Mr. Reuben Abati, was the Guest Speaker.
Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun enjoined stakeholders to join forces, in ensuring that the University is distinguished in all ramifications of academic and social endeavours.
According to him, the call was imperative, moreso “that we are metamorphosing into a conventional University”.
He described the University’s crop of First Class graduates as worthy ambassadors of their alma mater.
Professor Balogun stressed that the need to bring the First Class graduates together with the aspiring First Class students for effective symbiosis and intellectual cross breeding, prompted the Night of Excellence.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Chief Olakunle Osayemi reiterated the commitment of the Council towards raising the bar of excellence.
He commended the Vice-Chancellor for being visionary and result-oriented.
Presenting his keynote address, “Engaging Your Potentials in Nation Building” the Guest Speaker, Dr. Reuben Abati, charged the UNAAB 1st Class graduates to see their feat as a developmental challenge of the nation.
He noted that through personal experience, the people and society at large will always demand more from them, noting that such was part of the sacrifices of being 1st Class graduates.
Dr. Abati stated that since the society can not be satisfied, the 1st Class products were usually faced with even more challenges to live up to the billings of their certificates.
Dr. Abati admonished the 1st Class graduates to channel their brilliance towards meaningful development of the society as it is the case in most advanced nations.
