By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has held a ceremony for the graduands of Brigham Young University (BYU) in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.
The BYU-Pathway Calabar Completion ceremony was held on Thursday, February 26 at the Calabar-Nigeria Tinapa Stake Centre of the Church at Technical Roundabout, 8 Miles, Calabar.
The ceremony was attended by Alex Nkoro, President, Calabar-Nigeria Stake; Prof. Eyo O. Mensah, Dean of Students Affairs, UNICAL; Prof. Esekong Andrew-Essien, Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, UNICAL; Matthew Harris, Regional Manager, Aider; and Dr Victor Ukorebi, Senior Area International Manager, Team Lead, Africa Region, BYU-Pathway.
Others are Dr Victor Offiong Bassey, Area Seventy (Presiding Authority); Prof. Anthony E. Eyang, Immediate Past DVC Academic, UNICAL; and Akwaowo Joseph Ekong, President, Calabar-Nigeria Tinapa Stake.
A total of 145 graduands received certificates, while Prof. Mensah, Eyang, and Andrew-Essien were inducted into BYU.
Elder Victor Offiong Bassey of Area Seventy who presided in the Special Devotional and Graduation ceremony lauded the church’s support system and acknowledged the burdens it has lifted from parents.
Dr Victor Ukoredi in his own remarks stated that “Talent is evenly distributed but opportunities are not.”
Addressing students, prospective students and members at a Special Devotional which was held at Calabar Nigeria Stake Centre 20 MCC on 25 February on the topic: “Learning how to make money,” Matthew Harris, Special Guest recommended a business degree for Nigerians who want to make money, stating that the decision to win will determine your choices.
He said, “Figure it out how you can be more effective with your time,” adding that, “money comes from bringing value to the market.”
Also speaking, the valedictorian, Happiness Ibiang said, “It’s not the strongest that survives but those who are willing to adapt.”
Ibiang advised, “Whatever your work is, work as if it is your last,” citing the scripture that, “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain in this life, it will rise with us at the resurrection.”
