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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Nigerian music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido has inaugurated a female hostel at Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia State in honour of the late mother, Dr Veronica Adeleke.
This is even as entertainment guru, Mr Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest has pledged to pay the school fees of 50 students of the university.
Speaking while inaugurating the hostel project during the university’s sixth convocation ceremony, Davido said it was a tribute to his mother’s enduring legacy as an educationist and philanthropist.
“My mother, Dr Veronica Adeleke, was a teacher and giver, who believed education and compassion could change lives. This building is a continuation of her purpose, turning love into legacy,” he said.
In his commencement address titled, ‘Lift Somebody Up,’ Davido urged the graduates to uphold integrity, hard work and compassion in their pursuit of success.
He emphasised that, “knowledge alone is not enough; it is what you do with it that matters,” and encouraged them to explore, innovate and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
“Take pride in who you are, where you come from and what you can achieve. The world is waiting for your impact,” he said.
Davido, joined by his siblings, Adewale and Ashley Adeleke, later led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the Veronica Imade Adeleke female hostel.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chimezie A. Omeonu, in his address, reviewed the progress of the institution since its establishment in 2017.
He noted that the university has grown from three faculties and 10 departments to six faculties, 30 departments, and 34 accredited degree programmes, including law and nursing science.
He commended the university’s nursing department for its excellent performance in national examinations, with students recording a 100 percent pass rate in the Registered Midwifery examinations and 81.71 percent in the Registered Nursing examinations, above the national average.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation to philanthropists supporting the university, particularly Dr Adedeji Adeleke, founder of the Springtime Development Foundation, who he said is sponsoring over 300 students in the university.
Meanwhile, entertainment icon, Cubana Chief Priest has made a pledge to pay the school fees of 50 students of the university across various faculties.
He made the pledge while speaking at the sixth convocation of Clifford University.
Cubana Chief Priest commended the institution’s commitment to excellence in education, character and service to humanity.
The president of the apex graduating class of 2025, Miss Ozazibe Avwerosuo Precious described the convocation as the culmination of years of dedication and growth.
She urged her colleagues to uphold the class motto of, “We lead. We inspire. We achieve.”
Some of the dignitaries present at the ceremony were the General Vice-President of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, USA, Professor Robert Osei-Bonsu; the Chancellor and President of the West-Central Africa Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Professor Bassey Udoh; the Pro-Chancellor, Dr Ezekiel Adeleye and the Deputy Pro-Chancellor, Professor Istifanus Ishaya.
