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By Blessing Ibegbu
Dr Samson Opaluwah, Chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), has urged Nigerian youths to embrace faith, innovation, and sustainability to promote positive change and transformation in the country.
Opaluwah made the call at the 6th convocation lecture delivered on Friday at Bingham University in Karu, Nasarawa with the theme: “Faith, Innovation and Sustainability; Building a Resilient Future for Nigeria”
According to him, merging faith with innovative thinking and sustainable practices can forge a resilient future for Nigeria.
“Faith is not just a religious virtue, but engine of hope and courage, while innovation is not just about technology but about Kingdom-minded problem solving.
“Resilient Nigeria cannot emerge by recycling old ideas for new challenges. Sustainability is not only about climate, but also about wise, Godly stewardship of resources, relationships, time, and truth,” he said.
Opaluwah further said that it was essential to consider faith, innovation and sustainability convergence and how they could be integrated to build a resilient future for Nigeria.
Speaking on how faith influences the pursuit of innovation and sustainability, the chairman said faith encourages creative thinking and seeks solutions to complex challenges.
“It inspires us to take bold steps and invest in initiatives that foster human well-being and environmental stewardship underpinned by the very fact that we are accountable to the creator and owner of the world.
“Faith provides a moral compass for our efforts in innovation and sustainability. It serves as a reminder that our actions have repercussions not only for ourselves but also for others on the planet now and in the future.
“By weaving faith into our approach to innovation and sustainability, we can ensure that our endeavours are rooted in justice, compassion, responsibility, stewardship and the fear of God,” he added.
Opaluwah noted that the nation was still grappling with a range of challenges that jeopardised its stability and development.
He said that such key issues currently affecting the country include economic volatility, environmental degradation and structural failures, and social disparities.
“It is essential for Nigeria to focus on resilience and sustainability to ensure its prosperity. This necessitates a dedication to innovation, collaboration, and social responsibility.
“The future of Nigeria strongly depends on each Nigerian taking up the challenge at the individual and corporate levels by faith in God’s divine plan for the country and innovating at all levels to build a resilient and sustainable nation.
“The fear of God must underpin our private and corporate endeavours,” he said.
He urged the graduands to develop a consistent prayer life.
“Do not let success make you spiritually idle; keep a journal of God’s faithfulness to you and such would strengthen you in hard times.
“Keep the company of Godly mentors who challenge and uplift you, stay curious and read beyond your discipline. Collaborate across cultures and industries; diversity is fertile ground for ideas.
“Never be afraid to fail. Use every failed attempt as a platform for success at the next try. Also make choices that both honour God and creation, be it energy use, finance or lifestyle.
“Be emotionally sustainable, know when to rest. Protect your mental and spiritual health always. Let your relationships be sustainable, forgive quickly, love intentionally and speak truth graciously,” he advised.
Opaluwah added that the graduands had been equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to make a meaningful impact in Nigeria.
He urged them to become catalysts for positive change in the nation, by utilising their expertise to create innovative and sustainable solutions that tackle the complex issues faced.
Also speaking, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University, in his remarks, said the convocation lecture marked an important milestone on their journey.
Ayuba said the celebration of the 6th convocation ceremony and commemoration of the 20th anniversary also marked their corporate existence as a university.
Ayuba said the convocation lectures were designed to instil a sense of purpose, inspire, motivate and remind graduates as they step into new phases of life to make positive contributions to society.
“I strongly believe that today’s lecture will encourage graduands and everyone to understand that to propel Nigeria towards a resilient future, we need three-pillars faith.
“These three-pillars faith should guide our aspirations, innovation, which should fuel our progress and sustainability required to secure the future,” he said.
He congratulated parents, guardians, family members, and everyone who had supported these graduands along the way and prayed that the Lord would reward their labour of love.
Prof. Sa’adatu Liman, Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University Keffi, commended the guest for addressing one of Nigeria’s contemporary issues, where men answering the ‘call’, bear titles but demonstrate less power of God.
Liman, who was represented by Prof. K’iso Nghargbu, Medical Geology and DVC, Research, Innovative Linkages, said innovation without faith was less impactful, adding that without it no nation could be sustained.
Let the church of God demonstrate faith, then innovation will find its expression because faith without works is also dead and God is looking for faith with works to make Nigeria work”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the inauguration of hostels – Chief Seth Oshatoba Extension Hostel, Prof. Andrew Haruna Hostel and Mr S. S. Sule Hostel.
Also, the Faculty of Education building was unveiled by the ECWA President, Rev. Job Mallam and the Pro chancellor. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola
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