The Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council of Achievers University, Hon. Dr Bode Ayorinde says the peace that currently pervades Owo kingdom shouldn’t be destroyed.
Dr Ayorinde made the appeal on Saturday in Owo at the 13th Convocation and 16th Foundation Ceremonies of Achievers University.
Over 500 students were presented by the school as graduands.
Ayorinde, who begged warring monarchs to sheathe their swords for the sake God, their ancestors and their children, hinged the development of Owo kingdom who the current peace it is enjoying.
According to him, any alteration in the present status quo of peace, won’t benefit anybody.
“To our Royal Fathers, particularly from Owo Kingdom, as your son, I greet you with awe and full cultural respect. Permit me to publicly appeal to you to please allow peace to reign in Owo Kingdom. Peace is health, and health is wealth. A healthy kingdom is a wealthy land. History will have a chapter for the roles you play individually and collectively in making or unmaking Owo. Your sons and daughters home and abroad look up to you to allow us to breathe.
“No meaningful development can be achieved if there is no peace in the land. Development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and harmony. Peace is undoubtedly the most important ingredient of development, so I appeal to you our Royal fathers to please sheathe your swords and allow peace to reign for the sake of God, for the sake of your forefathers and for the sake of your subjects,” he said.
The former federal lawmaker who noted that salaries of staff are now paid as and when due, used the opportunity of the gathering to assure staff of the University that their welfare would prioritised, adding that the staff will soon benefit from palliative recently approved by the Council.
“The Council shall not relent in its efforts to provide a very serene and aesthetically beautiful campus, construction of new hostels, lecture halls and cither ancillary services to make teaching and learning conducive in the University, I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all our staff and students to take ownership and make judicious use of these facilities. Together, we can make our dreams come true.”
To the graduating students, Ayorinde admonished them to go into the world and demonstrate the leadership attributes they have imbibed as students of Achievers University.
“I salute and congratulate you all. You are one of the important pillars of our university. Be ready to join the alumni groups of this university anywhere you find yourselves in the future. Remember as you go, that character maketh a man or a woman. You may secure the best job with your certificate, connection, or look, but note that good conduct is required to remain in employment and make progress in life.
Engr. Ife Oyedele, Executive Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company; Mrs Jumoke Anifowose, daughter of the late former governor of Ondo State, Chief Michael Ajasin and former Attorney General of Ondo State and Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, the Registrar of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, were awarded honorary degrees at the convocation.
