“You will never be 100% ready, but when the time comes to do it; you do it afraid.” This mantra from Valedictorian Oluwatomilola Adeniran, who achieved an impressive 4.98 CGPA as the overall best graduate resonated deeply with the Class of 2024, reminding them that true growth often occurs outside of our comfort zones. As the 222 graduates celebrated this significant milestone on Friday, 6th of December, the packed hall echoed with applause, marking the culmination of their hard work and dedication.
The ceremony began with a grand procession, followed by the national anthem, and the PAU anthem, an opening prayer, and the Chancellor’s declaration of the ceremony as open, setting a solemn yet celebratory tone within the hall.
Professor Enase Okonedo, our distinguished Vice-Chancellor, took the stage to highlight the university’s achievements in academics, research, community engagement, and entrepreneurship. New programmes were approved, partnerships were established, and initiatives were launched to support students, faculty, and the community. The graduating class was praised for their achievements and encouraged to continue embodying the university’s values. Mr. H. Odein Ajumogobia, SAN (Pro- Chancellor) took the stage to emphasise the importance of practical learning and technology in shaping the future. He called for education alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and urged the government to invest in education and address brain drain. He humorously touched on the “JAPA syndrome” and encouraged the government to create a conducive environment for top talents to stay and contribute to Nigeria’s development.
The Registrar, Mr Kingsley Ukaoha, returned to the stage to call upon Deans who were pleased to present their students to the Senate. Classes rose with pride, cheering excitedly as each of their class members received public acknowledgement for their years of dedication, commitment and hard work. The students of Accounting, Business Administration, and Economics, walking down the aisle with bright smiles on their faces; Information Science and Media Studies (ISMS) with Mass Communication students striding across the stage in excitement to receive their scrolls from proud faculty members, and the newly graduated Computer Science students gushing with joy as they marked their place in history as the first graduating set from the School of Science and Technology (SST).
The crowd looked on as our new graduates performed the age-old tassel tradition by moving their tassels from the right to the left, transitioning from ordinary students of PAU to bright Alumni of this great institution.
In a heartwarming gesture, the Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lagos congratulated the graduates, reinforcing the importance of continued learning and collaboration across academic institutions.
Finally, the moment we had all been waiting for arrived. Outstanding academic achievements and performances were acknowledged and rewarded. Awards for excellence were presented in various categories:
- Overall Best Graduate, Best Graduate in ISMS, and Valedictorian (4.98): Adeniran Tomilola (ISMS)
- Best Graduate in Economics (4.96): Oguike Chioma
- Best Graduate in Computer Science (4.94): Ofoma Chukwudi
- Best Graduate in Accounting (4.83): Ikpati Peter
- Best Graduate in Mass Communication (4.7): Saliu Ibefo Frances
- Best Graduate in Business Administration (4.64): Umeh Chiamaka
- 2024 Entrepreneurship Award: Augustine Achike (Accounting; owner of ‘Book Runner’ enterprise and other enterprises)
- Leadership Award: Ebube Iloba (Mass Communication)
- Chartered Accountant Award: Shittu Khadijat (Economics)
- These awardees demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and leadership, setting the bar for future cohorts of PAU graduates.
A short but touching moment was when Blessing Bolaji (who is still a student) received the Michael Okolo Corporate Communication Award, named after our dear Dr Mike Okolo, the late Dean of SMC. This award was bestowed by his wife, Mrs Rosemary Okolo.
The valedictory speech by Tomilola Adeniran, the overall best graduate, was a powerful reminder that the journey ahead may not always be easy, but it is worth pursuing. With a message of boldness and determination, Tomilola urged his peers to commit to a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) and “DO IT AFRAID.” He encouraged everyone to embrace challenges, knowing that overcoming them would lead to personal growth and success.
Taking lessons from Tomilola’s speech, the Alumni President, Mr Gbemileke Oscar Oyinsan, reminded the graduates that the real world would test them, but with the education they received at PAU and their knowledge on the importance of lifelong connections, they were prepared to face any challenge head-on. Finally, he guided the graduates as they were formally inducted into the PAU Alumni Association (PAUAA). - Once again, congratulations to the Class of 2024!!!
