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… Presents 44 First Class Graduates
History was made in the medical training field, on Wednesday, as Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, presented and awarded degrees to the first set of Physiotherapists to be trained by any university in Nigeria and West Africa at its 7th convocation ceremony.
In all, the institution presented 11 pioneer graduates of Physiotherapy from the College of Basic Medical Sciences. Six of which made First Class while the remaining five were in the Second Class Upper grade.
Also, Popoola Israel Oladayo, a graduate of Criminology and Security Studies, from the College of Arts, Management and Social Sciences, was announced as the Best Overall graduate with 4.95 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) over 5.
In her convocation speech titled: “A Moment of Thanksgiving and Appreciation”, High Chief (Dr) Winifred Awosika, the Chancellor and Chair of Board of Trustees, Chrisland University, reflected on 40 years ago when the journey of Chrisland Schools began, saying the vision was born out of a conviction that every Nigerian child deserves quality education that inspires character, confidence and competence.
“That same conviction gave birth to Chrisland University, an institution that has now reached its tenth year of purposeful existence. This University represents the culmination of a lifelong mission to build a continuous bridge of learning, from the cradle to the university level, where every learner can find the wings to soar,” she said in the address delivered on her behalf by her daughter, Dr. Olubusola Fasehun.
Dr Awosika appreciated the immense contributions of the Board of Trustees, the Governing Council, the Vice-Chancellor and the entire management and staff of the institution for their unalloyed support and commitment.
The various levels of personnel, she averred, have inspired a renewed sense of purpose, collaborations, and unity among the university’s various organs.
“To the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oyedunni Sola Arologun, and the management team, I extend heartfelt congratulations and admiration. Your administration has demonstrated a rare blend of academic depth, administrative precision and humane leadership,” she said.
She gave a special commendation to the immediate Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Babalola, saying her tenure marked a tremendous consolidation, visionary expansion and profound academic advancement, adding that she instituted a strong administrative and academic foundations that have positioned the university for an enduring success.
Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju, the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, in his address themed: “Little Things Matter”, emphasised that the profound impact that little and insignificant acts, words, and imaginations could have on personal and corporate lives and the entire world should not be overlooked.
He said, “A little act of indiscretion could ruin a career or alter destiny as it happened to Dinah (Gen.34: 1-2).”
In her address, Professor Oyedunni Arologun, the Vice Chancellor of the university disclosed that the institution produced 44 First Class graduates from the total of 252 across various Faculties and programmes.
Prof Arologun said the feat marked a testament to the diligence, discipline, and divine favour the institution had continued to receive rising from student enrolment from mere 57 at inception to over 1,700 today.
Providing details of other classifications of the graduates, the Vice-Chancellor said, “We also recorded 133 Second Class Upper Division, 107 Second Lower Division, and 12 Third Class Honors.
“In addition, we celebrate graduates from our professional programmes, including the Doctor of Physiotherapy, the first in Nigeria and West Africa. Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Accounting, and others, marking new frontiers of professional excellence for Chrisland University and Nigeria at large.”
She added, “A resource verification exercise conducted between February 9th and 15th, 2025 for 10 departments, accounting, Business Administration, Immunology and Security Studies, Economics, English Language, Mass Communication, Political Science, Psychology, Computer Science, and Department of Microbiology were successful.
“On April 14th, we received approval from the National Universities Commission to commence postgraduate programmes. Department of Medical Laboratory Science has been granted provisional accreditation by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria.”
Highlighting the various excellent performances of students and faculties at different fora, Prof Arologun disclosed that the university got the Premier Academic Institution of the Year Award in recognition of its outstanding contribution to academic excellence, innovation, and leadership in higher education in Nigeria.
She expressed appreciation to High Chief (Dr) Winifred Awosika, the Chancellor and Chair of Board of Trustees, Chrisland University for sustaining the vision berthed 40 years ago.
She lauded the support of the management and entire staff of the university, just as she commended parents, guardians , families and friends of the graduands for their support.
“To our dear graduands, today you crossed from learning to living, from potential to performance. You have learned within these walls that success is not given, it is earned through consistency, integrity and courage. Carry that lesson into the world. Be bold enough to lead, compassionate enough to serve and wise enough to keep learning,” she added.
The convocation lecture was delivered by Amofin Beulah Adeoye.
