…Honours Ighodalo, Isimoya, Okunbor for contributions to education, nation-building
By Edward Oseghe
Wellspring University, Benin City, on Friday, October 17, held its 13th Convocation Ceremony, conferring degrees on 236 students in an event that reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, character development, and innovation-driven education.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Rotimi Ajayi, highlighted the university’s steady growth and recent milestones, noting that four academic programmes — Nursing, Biochemistry, Public Health, and Information Technology — recently received full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Prof. Ajayi further announced that the university had secured approval to commence Ph.D. programmes in Accounting and International Relations, alongside international certification of its academic programmes through partnerships with the Canadian Education Council and Skill Development Council, Canada (SDCC).
“These partnerships provide our students access to global training platforms, industry-relevant curricula, and international job opportunities.
“This milestone affirms the quality of our faculty, the dedication of our staff, and above all, the grace of God upon our collective efforts,” he said.
The Chairman, Board of Trustees, General Ephraim Usiade (Rtd), in his address, charged the graduates to remain upright and value-driven in a world increasingly influenced by moral decay.
“Many youths today have been derailed by drugs and the pursuit of quick wealth.
“But you are leaving Wellspring University with a legacy of discipline and Godly character. Let those values be your compass in life,” he said.
Also speaking, the Acting Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Tony Alabi, who represented the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Prof. Daniel Isimoya, urged the graduates to be agents of change and excellence wherever they go.
“Go forth as worthy ambassadors — problem-solvers, nation builders, and torchbearers of hope.
“Let your lives reflect the quality of education and values instilled in you here,” he said.
A total of 150 graduates from the Colleges of Health Sciences, Sciences and Computing, and Social and Management Sciences were awarded First Degrees, while 86 postgraduate students received Postgraduate Diplomas and Master’s Degrees.
The university also conferred honorary doctorate degrees on three distinguished Nigerians: Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Senior Pastor of Trinity House, Lagos, and Chancellor of Wellspring University; Prof. Daniel Isimoya, Founder and Pro-Chancellor of the institution; and Dr. Osahon Okunbor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Chairman of Wells Carlton Hotels and Apartments, Abuja. The awards were in recognition of their outstanding contributions to education, leadership, and national development.
Delivering the convocation lecture titled “The Role of Youths in the Fight Against Economic Crimes in Disruptive Times,” Dr. Bruno Emmanuel Nduka charged Nigerian youths to embrace integrity, innovation, and social responsibility.
“You have a pivotal role to play in building an ethical and economically stable nation.
“You are what we call the crucible generation — a generation that must redefine values and governance through honesty and purpose,” he said.
The overall best graduating student, Miss Sonia Eboigbodin Uwaila of the Department of Computer Science, who finished with a CGPA of 4.96, expressed her excitement and gratitude.
“I’m so happy. It took discipline — studying late at night, staying consistent, and never missing classes,” Uwaila said.
Goodwill messages poured in from sister universities and academic partners nationwide, commending Wellspring University for maintaining high academic and moral standards.
With another successful convocation, Wellspring University continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Nigeria’s foremost private institutions dedicated to nurturing competent, ethical, and globally competitive graduates.
