Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, honoured five distinguished individuals for their exceptional contributions to humanity during its 48th Convocation Ceremony, which concluded on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
The honourees, celebrated for their roles in advancing societal progress, included Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria; Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, renowned academia and entrepreneur; Daere Afonya-Akobo, a leader in the oil and gas industry; and Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, Group Chairman of Mutual Benefits Plc.
The event, led by the university’s vice chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, on a three-day convocation ceremony, saw 7,368 students graduate.
The honourees were recognised for their significant contributions to society, leveraging their talents, resources, and material support to uplift communities and advance progress in various fields.
Notably, four of the five honourees, Karl Toriola, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, and Dr. Akinade Ogunbiyi, are proud alumni of OAU.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu was celebrated as an astute politician and advocate for the underprivileged, particularly women and children.
Dr. Ogunbiyi, whose conglomerate employs over 5,000 people, was lauded for his leadership in corporate Nigeria and his contributions to job creation.
Professor Adegbulugbe and Daere Afonya-Akobo were similarly recognised for their trailblazing achievements in academia and the oil and gas sector, respectively.
Karl Toriola, now leading MTN Nigeria, has made groundbreaking contributions to Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, steering the company to new heights of innovation and service delivery.
Speaking at the occasion, Vice-Chancellor Professor Bamire lauded the honourees for their exemplary achievements and their dedication to uplifting society.
“These individuals represent the ideals of excellence, service, and leadership that Obafemi Awolowo University strives to instill in its graduates,” he said.
According to him, the convocation reaffirmed OAU’s tradition of celebrating excellence and recognising individuals who exemplify its values of innovation and societal impact.
He added that the honorary awards spotlight the honourees’ exceptional contributions and serve as a source of inspiration for the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
