•14 emerge with first class
Fourteen graduates of the Precious Cornerstone University Ibadan emerged with First Class Honours among a total of 143 across various disciplines, just as Apostle Joshua Selman, founder of Eternity Network International (Koinonia Global), charged them on the need for them to commit themselves to contributing to global advancement.
He gave the charge during his lecture at the 4th Convocation Ceremony of Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan.
The clergyman, who noted that skills acquired two or three years ago had become obsolete, told the graduands that their quests for knowledge had just begun.
The overall-graduating student, Eniola Kolawole Lawal of the Computer Science Department, finished with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.84.
Sixty-five graduates came out with Second-Class Upper, while 47 had Second-Class Lower, and 17, Third-Class.
Apostle Selman, in his lecture titled “Beyond Certificates: Preparing Graduates for Relevance in a Knowledge-Driven Economy,” said that graduation is not arrival but evolution.
He stated that the traditional view of education as merely a pathway to obtaining certificates was no longer sufficient in a rapidly-evolving global landscape.
“Graduation should not signal arrival but evolution. Move from the mentality of ‘I have arrived’ to ‘I am evolving,’” he said.
He urged graduates to adopt the “T-shaped skills” model, deep expertise in a core area complemented by broad knowledge across multiple fields.
According to him, the World Economic Forum projects that over 85 million jobs will be displaced due to automation and the shift in labour between humans and machines from 2025, a change that requires agility, innovation, and adaptability from the future workforce.
“We live in an era where artificial intelligence can write legal briefs in seconds. A university degree is no longer enough. Your degree proves you can learn; now prove that you can adapt,” he added.
Selman also warned about the moral implications of rapid technological advancement, citing the manipulation of digital content and the rise of cybercrime.
He described technology as “a tree of good and evil,” urging young people to pursue knowledge responsibly.
He emphasised integrity as a non-negotiable virtue: “Skill without integrity is hollow. Our values of honesty and transparency are fast eroding. We must restore ethical standards if we want a sustainable nation.”
In his own address, the Chancellor of the university and National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, enjoined the new graduates to keep faith in God and be determined to impact a positive change to the society.
Bishop Oke enjoined the graduates to see their degrees as a beginning rather than an end.
“Your degree is a launch pad, not a landing place. Keep learning, keep growing,” he said, quoting 2 Timothy 2:15.
Praying for the graduands, the PFN president urged them to hold firmly to their faith as their anchor in a complex world.
“The rain will fall, but for those who stand on the Rock, they remain unshakeable,” he said.
In recognition of their spiritual leadership, humanitarian impact, and contributions to national development, five prominent Christian leaders — Apostle Joshua Selman, Pastor Jerry Eze, Pastor Poju Oyemade, Pastor Sola Osunmakinde, and Pastor Nathaniel Bassey — received honorary doctorate degrees during the ceremony.
Wale Oke described the honorary awardees as intergenerational bridges, noting that they were selected based on their consistent record of standing on “the Rock of Ages.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Adejumo, praised the 2025 graduating class for their resilience, innovation and ability to convert knowledge into solutions, describing them as “the Trailblazers Set.”
“Our graduates have been trained not just to seek jobs but to create them. They are empowered to commercialise their skills and knowledge,” Prof. Adejumo said.
He announced that all academic programmes of the university had received full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC), affirming the institution’s commitment to quality teaching and research.
Pro-Chancellor, Bishop Dapo Asaju, also reaffirmed the Governing Council’s dedication to transforming PCU into a world-class university.
He commended Bishop Wale Oke for his vision, describing the institution as “a product of divine inspiration for excellence and disruptive innovation.”
Pastor Nathaniel Bassey, renowned for the global Hallelujah Challenge, is a respected gospel minister and trumpeter.
Pastor Poju Oyemade, founder of The Covenant Nation (TCN), is known for teachings on faith, leadership and national transformation.
Pastor Jerry Eze leads Streams of Joy International and is convener of the globally followed New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD).
Apostle Selman is acclaimed for his teachings on spiritual growth and kingdom principles, while Pastor Sola Osunmakinde of Household of David Church is known for practical, purpose-driven sermons.
The best-graduating student, Eniola Kolawole Lawal, described the day as “a moment of reflection,” urging his colleagues to remain focused and remember that the journey ahead requires vision, courage and resilience.
“This is not the end of our journey. The world awaits our contributions,” he said.
The ceremony ended with celebrations as PCU released what it described as its most dynamic, future-ready set of graduates into the world.
