The Presiding Bishop of Victory International Church and Founder of Dominion University, Taiwo Adelakun, has charged students not to allow poverty, family background, or the reputation of their schools to limit their ambitions and future aspirations. Adelakun gave the charge at the maiden colloquium organised to commemorate his 63rd birthday, stressing that integrity, discipline, diligence, and faith in God remain critical pillars for achieving enduring success.
The colloquium was conceived as a platform to shape the mindset of younger generations and inspire them towards purposeful living and responsible leadership. Adelakun urged students to remain focused on their goals despite the prevailing socio-economic challenges in the country, and to avoid distractions that could derail their academic and personal development. He also enjoined them to cultivate the habit of giving back to society, reminding them that as they attain success and financial stability in future, they should make it a priority to support others and contribute to the development of their communities.
Warning Against Social Vices
Also speaking at the event, the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) and former National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr Olasupo Ayokunle, warned students against social vices, negative influences, and bad company. Ayokunle lamented that distractions among young people are gradually destroying destinies and jeopardising their future. He specifically warned against cultism, Internet fraud, and other quick-money ventures that he said are capable of derailing the future of young people. He urged students to reject peer pressure and remain disciplined in their conduct both on and off campus.
Technology and Bursary Awards
Delivering a lecture titled: ‘Start up to stand out’, the Chief Executive Officer of Premium Trust Bank, Dr Emmanuel Emefienim, represented by the bank’s Executive Director, Adeola Adeyemi, stressed the growing importance of technology in the banking sector and noted that cash transactions now account for only six per cent of total banking transactions in Nigeria. He advised beneficiaries of bursary awards presented at the event to remain focused, innovative, and prayerful in their pursuit of success. “Put in your best and ensure you get the best out of this institution before you leave,” he advised.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Dominion University, Prof. Abel Olorunsola, appealed to public-spirited individuals and organisations to support the institution through the Project Support Trust Fund initiated to commemorate Adelakun’s 63rd birthday. He said the intervention would assist the university in constructing additional hostels and in commencing postgraduate programmes.
The event featured the presentation of bursary awards to 10 indigent but brilliant secondary school students from selected schools in Ibadan, as well as the distribution of exercise books to the beneficiaries. The recipients were selected based on academic performance and financial need, and the foundation stated that the support was intended to ease the burden of educational costs for deserving students.
