Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been honoured with the Leadership and Service Award by the management of Babcock University in recognition of his outstanding performance and excellence in governance in Lagos State.
The award was presented during the university’s convocation ceremony, where the governor also delivered the Convocation Lecture before more than 3,400 graduating students, academics, parents and distinguished guests.
Receiving the honour, Sanwo-Olu described leadership as a responsibility that demands integrity, accountability and service to humanity.
“It is a humbling experience and another call for us to continue to serve. We must lead with the fear of God, understanding that people are watching us and that we are expected to provide good examples for younger generations,” he said.
In his convocation lecture, the governor urged the graduating students to embrace opportunities, believe in Nigeria and position themselves for success in an increasingly competitive global environment.
According to him, his presence at the ceremony was not merely to celebrate the graduating students but also to inspire and encourage them as they prepare to begin a new chapter of their lives.
“I am not a graduand. I am here because, as a leader, we need to continue to encourage young people, share our experiences with them and let them know that life is waiting for them out there,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu commended Babcock University for its contributions to higher education, describing it as an institution that has consistently maintained high standards and produced graduates who have excelled in various fields of endeavour.
He noted that the institution had stood the test of time and continued to provide students with the foundation required to succeed in life and contribute meaningfully to society.
The governor said the graduating class, which he was informed was one of the largest in the university’s history, represented a new generation of Nigerians equipped to take advantage of emerging opportunities across the world.
He encouraged the graduates to approach the future with confidence and optimism, stressing that the opportunities available to them today are far greater than those available to previous generations.
“Nearly 40 years ago when we graduated, the world was completely different. We had very little compared to what is available today. Many of those listening were probably not even born then. But times have changed,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu urged the graduates to adapt to changing realities, embrace innovation and leverage technology and globalisation to achieve their aspirations.
“They need to understand the world they live in. They should not give excuses or reasons why they cannot succeed. They should embrace the opportunities before them and run with them,” he added.
The governor also challenged the graduates to remain hopeful about Nigeria’s future, insisting that the country still offers enormous opportunities for growth, innovation and personal fulfilment.
He noted that the education they had received at Babcock University had equipped them with the knowledge, skills and values required to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the nation at large.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Miss Simisola Abore described the academic journey as challenging but rewarding, expressing gratitude to God for seeing the students through to graduation.
“It was a struggle, but we thank God that we have graduated. We thank God for keeping us alive throughout the journey,” she said.
Abore urged her fellow graduates to remain united and uphold the values of the institution as they move into the next phase of their lives.
“My advice to my fellow graduands is that we should stand firm as alumni of Babcock University and always be ready to give back to the community,” she added.
Sanwo-Olu congratulated the graduates on their achievements and urged them to uphold the principles of excellence, discipline and integrity instilled in them by the university as they pursue their ambitions.