The special inter-denominational thanksgiving service for the 3rd Convocation ceremony of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State was held on Thursday with graduands, management staff, well-wishers and friends in attendance.

The service which is one of the series of events to round off the convocation ceremony which began on Wednesday 7th December 2021, was a colourful one that many who were present couldn’t help but appreciates God’s benevolence to the University.

Convocation is a milestone achievement in the life of any higher institution. It is the culmination of the entire efforts of parents, staff and students. A new life and chapter is opened for the young graduates.

Speaking during the church service held at the University’s auditorium, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, while quoting the parable of the rich fool, charged the graduates not to rest on their achievements.

The clergyman stated that academic and intellectual institutionalisation was developed through priesthood, adding that every academic curriculum has Biblical and Christ dimensions. He enjoined the congregation to embrace righteousness so as to stand as priests in evangelization in the University.

The Chancellor, High Chief Dr Winifred Awosika, who was full of thanks to God, also expressed her delight and gratitude over the milestone achieved by the University and the graduating students.

She said, “We cannot thank the lord enough for a day like this, a day of joy, a day of victory, a day of happy celebration at Chrisland University. As we celebrate our graduates, we are celebrating the Lord’s grace and mercy upon Chrisland University and I can imagine him smiling at us and saying well-done my children.

“My mind is filled with joy at what has happened as Chrisland continues to grow in leaps and bounds and we are thanking God. When I was told that the choir that sang at the convocation ceremony was our choir, I was indeed so filled with joy and appreciation.

“May God bless all the Staff, student and our Vice Chancellor, we are all very happy for this joy that will abide forever.

“We thank the parents who have believed in us over the years by sending their children, I pray that God continues to bless them.”

The Chancellor prayed for Gods guidance for the graduates. She said

“Put to practice all what we have been teaching you here,to our young ones who are going into the world, you will shine,you will progress and be announced to the world.”

In her remark, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola, expressed gratitude to God for granting the university the opportunity to witness her 3rd Convocation ceremony, maintaining that the direction of progress the university is witnessing is made possible by the help of God.

The VC appreciated every student, and staff of the university for making the coming convocation a success.

Special prayers were offered for the Council, Management, Staff, and Students of the University at the Christian event. Prayers were also said for Chrisland University, Ogun State and Nigeria at large.

Others present at the thanksgiving service included the Chancellor, High Chief Dr Winifred Awosika, Chaplain of the University Chapel and its officiating ministers, management staff and many others.

In a exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA, Prof. Chinedum Babalola disclosed that the secret behind the growth recorded in the University has been hardwork in driving intake and the university’s commitment to growing.

“We have continued to grow and drive intake of students into programs of the university. Note that it is not enough to drive intake, you also need to maintain, sustain and retain them. We could see a geometrical growth from 7 to 28 and now 44, so we are committed to growing and we kept advertising and telling the good news about Chrisland University.

On why the University has had 3 females as best graduating students over the years, she said “yes we have had Laureta, Folashade and now Martha as the best graduating students over the years and I wouldn’t say it is a coincidence, because it has happened consecutively but you must also know that its a common trend even in bigger universities.

“When a woman makes up her mind to achieve something, she gives it at all, they spend more less time on their phones and social media and her maybe more serious than their male counterparts.”

She advised the graduates to take cognisant of what the guest speaker and the preacher said by taking serious entrepreneurship.

“That is one thing we take very serious in Chrisland University, we practically enforce entrepreneurship and we go beyond by ensuring that in the final year just before they leave the university they go through a rigorous 2week entrepreneurial organization that can give them certification.

“The government should also not fold its hands but also make the environment conducive for people, there should be availability of power, good roads and security. Alot of this young people want to practice farming but they are killed, some farms have been destroyed so all this things make the entrepreneurship difficult.

She advised students to work hard and be like the ant that gathers it food in times of harvest and summer stressing that students should focus in gathering knowledge that would help them to thrive in the winter and in crunchy times.