A University Don, Professor Ademola Ladele of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development (AE&RD), University of Ibadan, has called on final year students in the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development of FUNAAB to build acceptable character, cultivate savings habit, network with people, avoid social vices and always be focused, while a 2010 graduate in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management (AE&FM), College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD) of FUNAAB, Mr. Japheth Omojuwa, has also joined in advising students to manage their time effectively.
Professor Ladele gave this piece of advice while delivering his lecture at the Department’s Annual Valedictory Lecture Series tagged, “Personal Development for Future Career Diversification”, organised for the final year students in the AE&RD Department while Mr. Omojuwa charged the students during his presentation titled, “The Principles of Time Management”, at the African Liberty Students Organisation (ALSO) Conference themed, “Fundamentals of a Prosperous Society”. Delving into real life experience, Professor Ladele disclosed that there was no “end” to life experiences, he charged the students to remember that what they faced as undergraduates would certainly be different from happenings outside the University environment.
He admonished the students to be focused, avoid any form of distractions and strive for personal development. The Guest Speaker called on the students not to be weighed down by disappointments when they come but look for avenues to cope with life’s challenges. Buttressing Professor Ladele’s point was Dr. Mercy Adeogun of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Lagos, who challenged the students to remove unnecessary fears from their minds that could impede their progress. Dr. Adeogun, an alumnus of FUNAAB, enjoined the students to be courageous in order to attain greatness in future.
The Dean of COLAMRUD, Professor Bolanle Akeredolu-Ale, described AE&RD Department as a role-model in the College, as she tasked the final year students to replicate the good things they had learnt from the University and never fail to remember their alma mater. Speaking at the occasion, the Acting Head of AE&RD Department, Dr. Eniola Fabusoro, stated that the lecture was an innovation by the Department at spurring the students into becoming successful after graduation. He said the Department was set to graduate about 69 students and hence, the need for the lecture, to prepare them ahead of life outside the four walls of the University.
The Director, Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), Professor Akin Omotayo; Director of Grant Managements, Professor Kola Adebayo; and the Director, Community-Based Farming Scheme (COBFAS), Professor Emmanuel Fakoya; were on ground to also give useful and fatherly advice to the students. During the event, Professor Omotayo; Professor Adebayo; Dr. Fabusoro; Dr. Petra Abdulsalaam-Saghir, a Senior Lecturer in the Department; and the Head of Class for the final year students, Mr. Sadiq Abdullateef; were given awards for their contributions to academic development of the students.
On his part, Mr. Omojuwa, a popular Nigerian Social Media Entrepreneur said, “You can’t give back to the society if you don’t think and dream big because you can only give what you have. Dream big and the more you achieve one, you venture into another and that keeps you going”. According to him, “I am a typical example of how everyone could be a blessing to the society”. He stated that in spite of his activities as an undergraduate, he was determined never to have any carry-over of courses, having graduated with a Second Class, Upper Division degree. His words, “Your activities are not an excuse for your failure if you manage your time effectively”. He charged the students to make best use of their time and blend academic work with extra-curricular activities.
In his lecture titled, “Principle of Individualism”, the Outreach Director/Publisher at African Liberty Organisation for Development, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, also speaking at the occasion, stated that students should develop their individualism, which emphasizes the need for the prosperity of an individual that in turn makes a prosperous society. He described the advantages of the concept of individualism as leading to an independent personality that is not likely to be a burden to the society.
Earlier, the Management Coach of Mind-shift African, Mr. Olaleye Rosiji, admonished the students to think beyond the four walls of the University. He gave tips on how a student can maximise, lead and make the best use of himself/herself in the society. His words, “It is beyond certificate. A life well spent is not by money but by fulfilment”. Commending the speakers, the President of ALSO, FUNAAB Chapter, Mr. Oladimeji Oguntoyinbo, a 500-level student in the Department of Agricultural Administration, COLAMRUD, said that the Association was proud of them. Present at the Conference were the former FUNAAB Students’ Union (FUNAABSU) President, Comrade Olajumoke Peter; the Pioneer President of ALSO FUNAAB Chapter and 2014 Graduate in the Department of Home Science and Management, Mr. Moronfolu Adeniyi; The Nation Newspaper Campus Life Editor, Mr. Adewale Adetunmobi; as well as members from the Federal College of Education (FCE), Osiele and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Ojere, both in Abeokuta.
