In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christopher Odetunde, emphasized the importance of youth involvement in national development. He said the country should prioritise research, community development, integrity, compassion, and accountability for the purpose of youth development.

 The Vice-Chancellor advocated a paradigm shift which will turn graduates into entrepreneurial builders of the nation, noting that his determination was to see “graduates become gold in the hand of the world and light onto the path of our nation’s greatness”. He went further to admonish the students, saying “Education is a springboard for your dreams and a lifetime inheritance. Augustine University has equipped you with the tools necessary to navigate the world and this you should not take lightly.”

The Convocation Lecturer, a professor of history, Professor Christopher Bankole Ogbogbo in his lecture titled ‘Nigerian Youth and Nation Building in the 21st century’ stated that youths are the arrows in the country’s quiver and how well they are prepared will determine their usefulness to the country and humanity, especially in the days of trouble. He explained that youths are critical stakeholders in any society and to neglect or maltreat them will be at the peril of such a society.

“One of the places where youths converge is in institutions of higher learning. If you wish to treat the youths well, then fix these institutions. The topic, ‘Nigerian Youths and the challenge of Nation Building in the 21st Century’ was chosen due to the importance and role of Nigerian youths in getting the country out of her current quagmire,” Professor Ogbogbo added.

He further stated: “The Nigerian youth must devise strategies for turning these diversities into sources of strength.

They must refuse to be shackled by ethnic and religious cleavages; they must enthrone merit in their undertakings. More importantly, they have to be advocates of justice and be seen to practice it. Any nation that thrives in injustice is bound to collapse.”

 The Ceremony was well attended by the Proprietor and Visitor to the University, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins and the Visionary, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, who were represented by the Chancellor of the University, Monsignor J.K. Aniagwu;  the Chairman of Board of Trustees, Sir Steve Omojafor (OON) and members of the University’s Board of Trustees. Also in attendance were the Chairman of Governing Council, Chief Gilbert T. Grant and members of the University’s Governing Council, Vice-Chancellors and representatives of Vice-Chancellors from 13 tertiary institutions, a Royal Father, His Royal Majesty, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo the Alara of Ilara, and families of the graduands.

A high point of the event was the presentation of an award by the Alumni Association to the overall best graduating student, Miss Odunwa Omena Mercedes by the Association’s president, Mr. Emmanuel Onyia.

In her Valedictory speech, Miss Odunwa Mercedes encouraged her colleagues to face their future challenges head-on by not relenting when obstacles come their way in the pursuit of targeted goals in life. She appreciated the entire Augustine University Community for molding the students in learning and character to be better ambassadors of the University.