85-year-old Colonel earns PhD as TASUED graduates 4,140 students
In an inspiring display of determination, 85-year-old retired Nigerian Army Colonel Bolaji Titilola Onafowokan has successfully earned his PhD in Educational Technology from Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. This achievement places him among the first group of doctoral degree holders produced by the institution, as TASUED celebrates a significant milestone during its 16th convocation ceremony.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Oluwole Banjo, made the announcement at a press briefing, revealing that the first set of PhD graduates consists of 67 individuals. “We are proud to have Colonel Onafowokan among this distinguished group. His determination to pursue this dream at 85 years old is commendable,” Prof. Banjo remarked. “Even younger individuals tend to shy away from such rigorous academic pursuits, making his achievement all the more remarkable.”
This year’s convocation saw a total of 4,140 students graduate across various levels. Among the graduates, 27 achieved first-class honours, and the best graduating student, Adedeji A. Adedamola, received praise for attaining an outstanding CGPA of 4.91. Additionally, four students were awarded M.Phil degrees, and 275 completed their Master’s programs.
In recognition of exceptional contributions to society, TASUED conferred honorary degrees on four distinguished Nigerians: Dr. Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi, Prince Oluyemisi Adedoyin Shyllon, Otunba Jaiyeola Wasiu, and Engineer Jubril Dotun Sanusi. These honorary awards celebrate the recipients’ remarkable achievements in various fields, further enhancing the prestige of the convocation ceremony.
As Prof. Banjo prepares to conclude his tenure as the university’s Vice Chancellor, he highlighted several key achievements under his leadership. Notably, the university has undertaken significant infrastructural developments, including the expansion of its Medical Centre, funded through its internally generated revenue. Moreover, TASUED has reduced its dependency on the national grid by establishing an Independent Power Project (IPP) capable of generating 800 KVA, which is already meeting the university’s energy needs and providing substantial savings compared to monthly electricity bills.
The convocation ceremony also featured a lecture titled “From Classroom to Cloud: Leveraging Digital Literacy for National Development,” which will be delivered by Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy. His lecture aims to explore the critical role digital literacy plays in the nation’s development and the transition from traditional education methods to modern, cloud-based systems.
This convocation is not only a celebration of academic achievement but also marks the growing influence of TASUED as a key institution in Nigeria’s educational landscape. The university’s dedication to expanding its infrastructure, fostering academic excellence, and contributing to national development is evident in its continued success and the inspiring stories of its graduates.
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