Crescent Varsity preaches religious tolerance at 16th Convocation
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Crescent University Abeokuta, again, preaches religious tolerance and harmony among people of different faith.
This was part of the highlights of remarks by the Proprietor/Chairman Board of Trustees, Prince Mahruf Adesegun Ajibola (SAN), at the 16th Convocation of the institution, which prides itself as citadel of academic and moral excellence.
Coincidentally, the best graduating student, Daniel Oyeniyi of the Department of Mass Communication, with a CGPA of 5.95, has been a beneficiary of the proprietor’s scholarship for more than ten years.
Daniel, whose father is a pastor, said in his valedictory speech that he had never been forced join Islam or pray in the mosque.
He said his parents were meeting his benefactor for the first time in his eleven years of sponsorship.
Congratulating the parents of the best graduating student, Prince Adesegun Ajibola promised to sponsor Oyeniyi up to the PhD level while also giving him an automatic employment to lecture in department of mass communication of the university.
In a related development, he also congratulated the three honorees, Prince Adedoyin Yemisi Shyllon, Aare Tomori Williams and Alhaji Kabir Ajibola Gbemisola on their awards of Doctor of Science Honoris Causa of Crescent University and at the same time expressed appreciation for their willingness to support the university.
He seized the opportunity to publicly acknowledge and appreciate Chief Tunde Fanimokun, who was to be the fourth honoree, for his promise to donate N1.5billion as an endowment for a hall of residence for students.
Earlier, the Chancellor, Prof. Ibraheem Gambari congratulated the proprietor and the vice chancellor, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila on achievement of hundred percent National Universities Commission’s accreditation status, which he regarded as a product of hard work and consistency.
Prof. Gambari was also honoured by Ilorin Emirates Descendants Progressive Group,Ogun State Chapter led by Abdulfatai Yisa, for his inspiration and leadership qualities.
In his convocation address, the vice Chancellor gave a breakdown of the total 479 graduating students as follows: 49 first class, 197 second class upper, 173 second class lower, 54 third class and 6 pass across the Colleges of Environmental Sciences, Information and Communication Technology, Natural and Applied Sciences, Arts,Social and Management Sciences and Bola Ajibola College of Law.
Total of 47 and 13 also graduated with Master’s degrees and diplomas respectively, according to the vice chancellor.
While charging the graduands “to fly the flag of this unique university and make the university proud through your positive contributions wherever you may find yourselves”, Gbajabiamila charged them to consider their degrees as a life jacket which would keep them afloat anywhere the found themselves.
Emphasizing that “our alumni are doing very well in employment, further studies and entrepreneurship not only in Nigeria but around the world”, Gbajabiamila enjoined the graduands to join the Community of Crescent University Alumni.
