THE Department of Psychology, University of Lagos (UNILAG) yesterday hosted its star graduate, Ayodele Daniel Dada. He is the university’s overall best graduating student for the 2014/2015 academic session.
The department hosted also four others who made first class as well as their parents yesterday at the Faculty of Social Sciences Boardroom II.
But Dada was the star of the occasion for making As in all his courses throughout the four-year programme.
The other four students honoured yesterday were: Seyi Akintoye (4.80); Victor Oscar (4.80); Chinwe Ikwuazom (4.62) and Abidemi Animashaun (4.56).
Dada will take the lead as 10,907 undergraduate and postgraduate graduands start to collect their scrolls from today, the first of the three days earmarked for the 2014/2015 convocation.
She said: “It is exactly 40 years ago that I made first class in this department, so it is a personal celebration for me.
“The University today will tell you, they will sponsor you – like they did to us – you know, you go abroad and all that. If that is what you want, and what your parents want, ask questions and follow up.
“No doubt because you are first class graduates, everybody expects you to be scholars. But you know, when I was thinking about today and the celebration, and also with my own benefit of experience and because Nigeria has changed… I thought about Jesus Christ. How Herod tried to kill him and God hid him in another country. I want you to remember this story about Jesus himself so that your parents and all those who love you can protect you from the Herods of this world.
“You will need to get away for some time. I am not looking forward to welcoming you into the department of psychology. I want you to go away. I don’t want you to stay around here.“
The Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Samuel Oni, and the Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies, Prof Solomon Akinboye, urged Dada and others to come back to UNILAG.
They promised to help them get sponsorship for their M.Phil and PhD programmes abroad.
Prof Oni presented Dada with a congratulatory letter from the faculty, a cash gift of N100,000, and a bible. Dada and the other four also got gifts and plaques from the department.
Responding on behalf of the graduands, Dada thanked the department for all the support.
“I am so grateful that I met the wonderful mentors in this department in my life. I love you so much.”
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