Funmi Ogundare
Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, yesterday, graduated a total of 665 postgraduate students comprising 70 Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) graduates, 391 Master’s degree holders, 21 Master of Philosophy (MPhil) graduates, and 183 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates across various schools and colleges.
Awards were presented to outstanding graduating students across the postgraduate diploma, master’s, MPhil, PhD and MBA programmes in recognition of their exceptional academic performance.
At the master’s level, Christianah Ojelabi and Ibitola Osikomaiya, who both graduated with a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.0, alongside Daniella Okangba, who earned a CGPA of 4.85, each received a cash award of N2 million donated by the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Juliet Idume-David, who graduated with a CGPA of 4.84, received N1.5 million. At the doctoral level, Deborah Segun-Adeniran, who recorded a CGPA of 4.95, was awarded N2.5 million for emerging as the best PhD graduating student.
Speaking at its hooding and 15th convocation ceremony, Abiodun, who was the Commencement Speaker, urged graduates to combine innovation with integrity, warning that while Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies were reshaping the world, they could not replace moral responsibility, compassion and ethical judgment.
He stated that the future belongs not merely to those who master technology, but to individuals who unite innovation with integrity, excellence with humility and intelligence with character.
“Artificial Intelligence can process information with astonishing speed. It can recognise patterns and support remarkable discoveries. However, it cannot replace integrity. AI cannot replace compassion.
“It cannot replace moral responsibility or ethical judgment. The future will belong not merely to those who master technology, but those who unite innovation with integrity, excellence with humility, and intelligence with character.”
Abiodun described the convocation theme, ‘Breaking New Ground’, as timely and profound, noting that it represented more than a ceremonial slogan but a philosophy for purposeful living that challenges individuals to reject complacency, embrace discovery and expand the frontiers of knowledge, leadership and human development.
He urged the graduates to see their degrees not as the end of their academic journey but the beginning of greater responsibilities to society.
“The word commencement is especially meaningful. Every worthwhile ending is also the beginning of a new assignment. While degrees are being conferred today, responsibilities are equally being entrusted. Your certificates recognise your accomplishments, but your life will reveal the value of your education,” he said.