…as varsity graduates 2,194 students at 14th convocation
…as Canadian, US universities decorate Afe Babalola with honorary law degrees
By Rotimi Ojomoyela
Ado-Ekiti–Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has conferred honorary degrees of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) on the Chairmen of United Nigeria Airlines and Cavista Holdings, Professor Obiora Okonkwo and Niyi Olajide, in recognition of their contributions to business development, innovation and national growth.
The honours were bestowed on the two distinguished personalities at the university’s 14th convocation ceremony, which featured the graduation of 2,194 students and brought together prominent political leaders, traditional rulers, business executives and other distinguished personalities.
Personalities at the convocation include the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe; the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adu Adejimi and the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III.
Others are the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN; Dr Wole Oluyede, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; and former Governor of Ekiti State, Engr Segun Oni.
Speaking at the convocation ceremony, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji hailed Olajide for his investments in agriculture, tourism and other sectors of Ekiti State’s economy, while Okonkwo was recognised for his contributions to business and enterprise development.
He also described the duo as accomplished international entrepreneurs who had complemented the state government’s drive to attract private investment, generate employment and accelerate industrialisation.
The governor said Olajide, through Cavista Holdings, the parent company of Agbeyewa Farms and Glocient Hospitality, had committed millions of dollars to the state’s economy, with significant investments in agriculture, hospitality and tourism.
He also added that Professor Obiora’s investment in aviation, made it possible for Ekiti State to record over 10,000 passengers at the Ekiti Cargo Allied International Airport since the commencement of the commercial flights in December 10, 2025.
“I want to sincerely extend the same congratulatory message to my brother, Mr. John Niyi Olajide, an accomplished innovator, international businessman and a passionate Ekiti compatriot. Even though, he has made good fortunes for himself abroad, he has joined in the vision of our government to promote private investment and industrialize the State.
“Through his Cavista Holdings, the parent owners of Agbeyewa Farms and Glocient Hospitality, he has invested millions of dollars in Ekiti economy, employing hundreds of people and transforming both the agriculture and tourism landscape of Ekiti State. He is in charge of the ongoing transformation of Ikogosi Warm Spring Resorts to a world class tourist destination.
“Today, Niyi John Olajide is the second biggest investor in Ekiti after Aare Afe Babalola. His investments through Cavista Holdings has employed thousands of Ekiti people through his investment in Agbeyewa Farms, the biggest cassava farm in the world and through his transformative impact at Ikogosi Warm Spring that has turned the corridor to the world renowned Holiday Resort in Nigeria”. He added
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, also praised the duo’s achievements, describing them as outstanding personalities whose commitment to job creation and entrepreneurship deserve recognition.
The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, called for greater private-sector participation in the state’s development, noting that Ekiti needed more entrepreneurs willing to commit their resources, expertise and experience to building its economy.
The monarch said the state had long looked forward to attracting more investors to complement the developmental contributions of ABUAD founder, Aare Afe Babalola.
Other highlight of the event was the conferment of honorary Doctor of Laws degrees on the founder of the University, Aare Afe Babalola by the representatives of Trinity Western University, Canada, and Trinity International University, United States, for his contributions in several sector such as education, health, law, agriculture, among others
In his remarks, Aare Afe Babalola described the convocation as the best moment of his life, urging the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the university and become problem solvers.
In their responses, the honorees commended the contributions of Aare Afe Babalola towards the development of the state and the country, with a pledge to continue to use their goodwills for the development of Ekiti and Nigeria at large.
Giving the breakdown of the 2,194 graduands, 1,759 completed undergraduate and professional programmes, while 435 agraduated from postgraduate programmes, comprising 359 students of the College of Postgraduate Studies and 76 from the ABUAD Business School’s postgraduate programmes.
286 graduands obtained First Class degrees, while 824 earned Second Class Upper degrees. Another 234 obtained Second Class Lower degrees, while 29 graduated with Third Class degrees.
The remaining graduands completed professional or postgraduate programmes to which the conventional degree classifications do not apply.
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