By Oluwafunke Ishola
Mr Udom Emmanuel, the former governor of Akwa Ibom, has advised citizens to be optimistic and resilient, irrespective of the challenges being faced as individuals, a nation and global community.
Emmanuel gave the advice on Thursday at the fifth Convocation Lecture of Mountain Top University (MTU), Ogun.
He spoke on a lecture titled, “Optimising Your Potential In A Challenging Future”.
According to him, the world is characterised by high pace and scale of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, noting that no nation is immune from the challenges of this present day.
“From the hostilities in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, to unprecedented levels of inflation across the major economies of the world to the numerous challenges plaguing our nation, we see that there is really no nation that is not facing some form of hardship or another.
“One of the very critical pillars of life that we see being eroded today is hope.
“Many are losing hope because of the enormity of unresolved issues faced daily. Many are filled with fear at the uncertainty of what the future holds.
“But hope is the one attribute we must never lose. We must, therefore, put our trust in God and know that what we see today is just a bend, not an end,” he said.
Emmanuel advised the graduands to rise above the myriad of challenges facing the world and strive as individuals to make a positive impact on the world.
He highlighted the seven principles that shaped the mindset and economic trajectory of Akwa Ibom to become the second state to attract the most foreign direct investment.
Emmanuel listed the principles as vision, dominion mentality, excellence, opportunity, time consciousness, self development, and strategic relationship, noting that the principles would assist the graduates to chart the course to greatness.
Also, the Chancellor of MTU, Dr Daniel Olukoya, said in its drive for excellence that the university has continued to blaze the trail and extend the frontiers of knowledge through research and innovation.
Olukoya advised the graduands to be good ambassadors of the university and role models in their sphere of influence as well as uphold integrity and excellence in their conduct.
Similarly, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Elijah Ayolabi, said that 348 students were graduating in the fifth convocation.
Ayolabi noted that 329 of the graduating students would be awarded first degrees, two for PhD, one for Mphil. degree, 15 for Masters’ degrees and one for Postgraduate Diploma.
Explaining further, he said that 36 graduating students would be awarded First Class degrees; 155 Second Class Upper degrees, 120 Second Class Lower degrees, and 18 Third Class degrees.
According to him, Miss Judith Iganya of the Department of Economics, with 4.94 Cumulative Grade Point Average, emerged as the overall best graduating student.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the school conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctors of Letters on Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun and Michael Akinola for their contribution to the development of the school and communities.
Edited by Folasade Adeniran
