National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Funmilayo Ojo | Ibadan
National President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke, was decorated as the Chancellor of the Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday November 11, 2022.
Giving his address at the Maiden Convocation edition, held in the university campus I, chapel, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, quoted Psalm 144:12 as the scripture that gave birth to PCU and has made it a reality.
“Let us go through the scripture together: “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace”. (Psalm 144:12)
The journey started on November 11, 2006, when the declaration of the University was made at a meeting for that purpose held at the Premier Hotel, Mokola, Ibadan.
Oke, noted that on Wednesday the 6th of December 2017, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), met and approved that PCU be given its operating license. Then on Tuesday the 19th of December 2017, a team made up of some members of reconstituted Board of Trustees, some members of the SIC and some other well-wishers were in Abuja to collect the operating license, he added.
“Speaking further, the Counselor, said Precious Cornerstone University shall make impactful difference in all her students, this community, this nation and in the world at large.
The hand of the Highest shall guide all the affairs of the University and the University shall be a success story throughout the world, said the helmsman.
According to him, since the take-off of academic activities, God has been very faithful, and all vital needs provided to the glory of God. He however noted that the past years has witnessed the physical manifestation of the proclamations made on the 11th November 2006″.
Earlier in his address, the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr Omobayo Adegoke expressed his delight at the maiden convocation ceremony, which he said, represents the successful completion of the first cycle of our academic degree programmes and the release of the Golden Eagles, he added.
Adegoke, however went down memory lane how PCU started.
“Permit me to take you through the memory lane of the journey which started in December 2017, with the approval of this University by the FGN, the opening of this University in August, 2018 and the commencement of academic activities on 4th January, 2019. The maiden Matriculation ceremony was held on March 8, 2019 with 80 students on enrolment. Some other students came in through Direct Entry at the subsequent year, and today, the University is graduating 100 students; two of these students were however found wanting in character, as a result, their graduation has been suspended, until we are convinced that they are no longer wanting in character, he disclosed”.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Julius Oloke, disclosed that the graduating students have become change makers.
“The graduands before you today have been trained not to fly in the lowlands like other birds, but as eagles to fly in the high places, out of sight of the naked human eye and out of range of hunter’s rifle. Because they know how to balance spirituality with secularity, they are masters at riding in the eye of the storm. Because we are sure of what we have sown into the life of today’s graduands we have no other choice than to refer to them as “Golden Eaglets”
Oh you “Golden Eaglet’’ go ahead into creating orderliness out of disorderliness. Always remember that eagles have no business with chicken”.
The VC however disclosed that since PCU is a Christian-faith-based University the have introduced some general study courses that will be of assistance to our students to approach life with Growth-Mindset as opposed to Fixed-Mindset. These courses are coordinated by matured Pastors from Christ Life Church and other committed Christians in the Community.
As a result of the positive influence of Christian spiritual exposure we give to our students, many parents intentionally send their wards to our university so that their lives could be molded after Christ. We have recently established PCU Rehabilitation Centre which we intend to develop to an enviable Centre where people who are having challenges with anger, sexuality, and other emotional abnormality can receive training on how to live responsible life”, he said.
As part of the event, award of Honorary Degrees was given to Mr. Sijibomi Ogundele as the ‘Doctor of Entrepreneurship’ while Ms. Yinka Folarin was awarded the ‘Doctor of Science’ and Bishop Francis Wale Oke as Doctor of Humane Letters.
The nine students who bagged the first class honours also received cash prizes from the Chancellor and dignitaries accordingly. Omilani Aminat, Adio Ebunoluwa, Ajibade Christiana, Ogboji Ojodale, same as Olaoge Jacob, Omowunmi Semilore, Olajide Peace, as well as Mishael Success, and Alamu Oyeronke, respectively.
