By Banji Ayoola
Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife on Saturday, December 14, 2019 awarded diplomas and degrees to 7,331 graduates of the institution at a convocation during which three eminent Nigerians were also given honorary doctorate degrees.
The honorary doctoral degree awardees are the first female Chairperson of First Bank Plc, Dr. (Mrs) IbukunOluwa Abiodun Awosika: Public Relations megastar and Chairman of Troyka Conglomerate, Dr. Abiodun Olusina Sobanjo and President of African Export-Import Bank, Prof Benedict OkeChukwu Oramah.
Breakdown of the statistics shows that 122 were awarded non degree diplomas; there were 4, 756 bachelor’s degrees classified; 536 bachelor’s degrees unclassified; and 1, 917 postgraduate diplomas and degrees. Of the postgraduate degrees, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) was awarded to 208 graduates.
Oduduwa Hall, venue of the ceremony, spilled over with the celebrants, officials and guests, all dressed in festive attires.
The PhD holders decked in their convocation gowns, mimicking the melodious tunes being rendered, joyfully danced from their seats to the dais to shake hands with the Vice Chancellor, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede.
One of them, Dr Onasoji Onadiji, in an interview, expressed his feelings: “I am very grateful to the Lord. He’s been wonderful to me and my family. The journey started very long time ago; and I appreciate Him because it has come to an end today.
I want to appreciate my dad, late Mr Josiah Onalayo Onadiji, who gave me a very good foundation. His mentorship, his desire for me are coming to reality today. And I would appreciate my mother also, who gave my dad good support. With the work of the two of them, I am what I am today.
I really appreciate the Lord. I wasn’t the best in my class, but He has promoted me. So I am grateful to Him. I am happy and joyous, I don’t know what to say. I am just happy.
My wife, everything goes to her. She gave me a good place, a good home. She personally sponsored this programme. I appreciate her. In fact I give everything to her. If it is possible, I would give everything to her and she would be called Dr. Mrs Soji Onadiji. She owns it. It belongs to her.
I thank the Lord for my children. They did not give me any problem at home all through the long hours, staying away from home, working in the night, when I was not even giving them deserved attention, and they did not trouble me. I appreciate them and I pray that with them, myself and my wife, we would enjoy the fruits of this labour. We labored for it together.”
At a thanksgiving service conducted by Pastor Mayowa Popoola in his home, Onadiji said: “I want to appreciate the Lord for His faithfulness and mercy in my life. Today is unique, a day of gladness. I appreciate my parents.
When my mum was heavy with my pregnancy, she fell sick, terribly sick, that they thought she was going to die. They were living in our family house, Fatedo, in Kuta. They were building a house. My father said ‘if you are going to die, you would sleep in the house we both built. The second day, it was my mum who woke my Dad. The Lord preserved her. That informed my name – Onasoji.
The two gave me good foundation in academics. It was my father’s intention that I would go to a private school in Osogbo. We went to primary school in our town. Thank the Lord we left primary school for the secondary school. The Lord ordered my steps. I want to thank the Lord for my siblings for their support, prayers and contributions to this programme.”
The wife, Mrs. Arike Oyinade Onadiji attributed the achievement to the Lord, saying “it has been Him all alone.” I thank the Lord because He has been faithful. It has been Him all the while. I give Him all the Glory. I thank the Lord for seeing him through. It has not been easy, but it’s been the Lord factor all through.”
Also at the thanksgiving, Mr. Kunle Ayoola said: “I feel so excited. I am so happy for Dr Soji Onadiji, for his ennobling cause, for his achievement. I am very happy. His action would encourage his junior ones that they should follow his footsteps. I am very happy and I wish him the best of luck in all his endeavours.”
Praying passionately in Yoruba for Onadiji, Ayoola said: “You would be useful for the town, for the whole world in the Power of the Lord. You won’t fall sick after your academic feat. Tribulation would not be yours, trouble won’t be yours. By the Power of the Lord, you would use this achievement for goodness.”
The ceremonies were graced by all the siblings Sade, Seun, Badeji and Gbolaga; as well as Mrs. Iyabo Ayoola and Mr. Adesoye Ajani among others.
