Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia State governor has urged the first set of graduate from the Clifford University, Owerrinta (CLU) to apply all they learnt in school, rather than relying on the honours written in their certificates.
Ikpeazu made this comment during his speech at the undergraduates convocation ceremony for the award of degree and prizes at Ihie Campus of CLU, in Isiala-Ngwa North Local Government Area. He said that employment opportunities are out there for anyone who understands what he studied, stressing that practice is what the society is yearning for and not mere certificate.
Ikpeazu said as the first fruits of CLU, the fresh graduates are expected to make the institution proud, by being useful to the society and pursue uprightness and justice. He congratulated the 66 fresh degree holders and announced a cash reward and a Masters degree scholarship to the best graduating student of biochemistry.
Ikpeazu also announced a cash reward to other best graduating students in all the five Faculties of the University as well as cash support to 20 indigent students and first 20 students to be admitted in the next academic year.
The Vice Chancellor of CLU, Prof. Chimezie Omeonu took the audience to the memory lane by narrating how the dream of establishing the University was actualized. Omeonu expressed gratitude to God, adding that the five Faculties in the university: Humanities, Science, Social Science and Management Science, Basic Medical Sciences and Law are ready to send best students to employers of labour.
He said, “We train the whole being in what I call education of the 5Hs. H-1 is for Hand, H-2 is for Head, H-3 is for Heart, H-4 is for Human Relations, while H-5 is for Heaven that is eternity. This is holistic education. This is why it seems we have many rules on campus.
“These graduating students today will grow and develop to become sources of motivation to themselves, sources of joy to their parents; sources of faithful service to God, sources of good public image to Nigeria, and sources of upliftment to humanity.”
Omeonu specifically thanked Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, the proprietor and Chancellor of Adeleke University in Osun State for coming to the aid of Clifford University when the institution’s finance went down.
“From March 2018, this servant of the Lord has donated N147 million to this institution. In addition to this is the award of 105 scholarships beginning from this session to indigent students from the East, West, North and South of Nigeria.
“What else can an individual do to help an institution? We pray that he that lives to give, will live to receive from the Almighty. Thank you Dr. Adeleke for being there for us always and sacrificing for the progress of this University,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Alpha Graduating Class of 2020, the President, Mr. Charles Madukoma said that Clifford University gave them the best and by all standard can be described as best among equals, a school anchored on holistic, harmonious education through the integration of faith and learning for redemption and restoration of humans.
News Echo reports that Clifford University is the second University owned by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church after Babcock University.
Clifford University got its approval on the 2nd of November, 2016 and started classes and lectures on the 5th of March 2017 and did its maiden convocation ceremony on the 28th of March, 2021.
